As the sun’s pink fingertips caress the tops of the purple mountains behind the cave, Owab is the first of the hunters to wake. Aquila waiting for him outside. The eagle bows and turns to the east, where a procession of wispy clouds rises with the dawn. Aquila takes to the air and Owab, in the thrall of his night-time vision, follows where his guide and protector leads.
When they return, Owab is leading a long-legged rain-cow which will bring soft raindrops to last a whole season.
The Great Bull bellows
rain swells the gathering clouds:
the parched land awaits.
This concludes my little African adventure, although I wouldn’t rule out a comeback for Owab and Aquila sometime in the future. You can find the previous episodes here.
Photo credit: John Fowler at unsplash.com/@wildhoney
Written in response to two challenges:
– Di of Pensitivity101‘s Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge – WISP, CARESS, FINGERTIPS
– Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge‘s Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt – SEASON
I also set myself the additional challenges of confining my piece to 100 words exactly and writing in the haibun form. Just for fun!
Wonderful. Love the idea of a rain cow
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m delighted you like that image, Di. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure we will see more of them…
Cause as someone far more knowledgeable than me said ” you don’t waste a good character”😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, wise words! 😉 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such poetic language Chris. It’s a treat to read this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so pleased you enjoyed this Sadje!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful writing. I can certainly see the scene. So, where is the linky? I can’t find it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Joyce 🙂 Maybe the link isn’t showing up too well on your screen? Previous episodes are here: https://lunasonline.wordpress.com/stories/owab-and-aquila/
LikeLike
great metaphor for a storm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mason!
LikeLiked by 1 person
elephant on the plain
easily said
there is no damn rain
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very apt, Utahan!
LikeLike
indeed just john will suffice and thanks.
LikeLike
This is so good ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gary 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
and the fun continued in the reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Geoff. 🙂
LikeLike
Great continuation of an intriguing story, Chris! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tom! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! I’m glad they are going to get rain. I admit to not knowing what a rain cow is, and when I looked it up all I could find was cows in the rain…🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rain cows, like the rain bull, are part of the ancient people’s lore (I read somewhere). The rain bull brings great storms, but the rain cow brings steady showers. I think the long legs are supposed to represent the rain coming down. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s interesting !🧐
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a mine of useless information. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very fitting ending to your African adventure! I hope there will be another in due course.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Liz! I can definitely see Owab and Aquila returning sometime. Like I often say, don’t waste a good character. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that: Don’t waste a good character. I’ll have to remember it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Look at those clouds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scary but welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fitting end to a beautifully created adventure, Chris.
Looking forward to what you do next!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, CE!
LikeLike
Great use of the prompts and an amazing picture!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Keith!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Picturesque prose. Lovely
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 🙂 I’m pleased you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
An epic tale well told! Nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Susan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A happy conclusion with rain at last. Have enjoyed this magical African tale of yours, Chris, and look forward one day to Owab and Aquila’s return 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
So pleased you enjoyed this one, Ford! I think a return is inevitable some day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh, this was amazing and a very soothing read for me.💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Soothing is good! Have a great day, Jude. 🙂
LikeLike
The description you gave to the rain cow in an earlier reply adds even more to the wonderful scene that you built in my mind’s eye, Chris. I think I’ve seen a couple of rain cows in real life over the years, thinking about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some special sightings indeed, Tom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very excellent tale. And…and, not always the case, an ending that is like having a friend return home after a visit. Enjoyed the time we could spend with them and are confident that should the occasion arise, another encounter will be just as satisfying.
…. good Six, yo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Clarke! I’m pretty sure they’ll return for another little adventure sometime.
LikeLike
I always enjoy the tone of these and this is exceptional.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, D. I appreciate the compliment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
More beautifully poetic prose with the haiku to finish. Not a superfluous word. I really enjoy your style of writing here, Chris and am looking forward to what you write next, now that the African adventure has come to a fitting end. For the moment…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jenne! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed Owab and Aquila’s adventure. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful poetic SSS. Thank you for introducing me to some African lore. Keep sharing your “mine of useless information.” 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Pat! I wonder to which part of that mine next week’s words will lead… 🙂
LikeLike
A beautiful conclusion to your African tale of adventure. As with the other episodes, rich in descriptive detail, visuals made easy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Denise! Thanks also for providing the platform from which to launch these little tales. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely haibun, Chris. I love the description of the dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robbie – almost lifted from my WIP novel (or was it the other way around).
LikeLiked by 1 person
An excellent ending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Mimi!
LikeLike
Such a beautiful opening sentence. I love how you describe the setting: “As the sun’s pink fingertips caress the tops of the purple mountains behind the cave,”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Benjamin. This little series seemed to lend itself to a more colourful lyrical style. 🙂
LikeLike
Awesome, Chris! I love the rain-cow–full of life, full of promise, full of hope.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful sight for a thirsty land! Thanks, Susan 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re going to have to bring Ohab and Aquila back for sure, Chris.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, Matthew, there will be more adventures ahead!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yaaay Owab and Aquila did it! Happy for them. Love the haiku. Enjoyed the little adventurous tale. Love your short tales.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Kritika! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pleasure 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person