"When I was little, there was this tale that my mother would happily tell at bedtime with a smile on her face and hum in her voice. I am not sure where she heard it. Maybe one of her parents or grandparents told her this tale. Maybe she heard it from traveling. I honestly do not know nor do I ask as that is not what it important to me. The thing about this tale that is important to me is the memories with my mother that we share with it. Bear with me as I recall this tale in order to tell it to you." Akira takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.
"A long time ago there was this little fox that carried a lantern everywhere it went. It used this lantern to guide the lost souls living or unliving to where it was they truly belong. It was said that this little fox guided these lost ones in order to find where it belonged. Sadly this wandering fox never seems to be able to find that. It traveled far and wide to help those thinking that as long as it had something to do then it would not have the time to think about the loneliness it felt inside being all alone. Then one day it found a lost soul and with it's lantern tried to guide to the underworld but the soul did not wish to leave the little fox. It said that it had a name. It was called Wisp and that it has been looking for the fox in order to stay with it forever on its travels. This caused the fox to feel a warmth inside as it nodded and agreed to allow the lost soul Wisp to travel with it."
Taking another deep breath and opening his eyes this time. "It is said that the fox not only gained a friend that day but it gained hope to continue its work which it did for the rest of its time. My mother said that this tale is why our bloodline carry the lanterns we do. It is where she got her name. It is why we guide those that are lost no matter if they are alive or not. In all kinds of weather as well as all kinds of disasters that mother natures can toss our way. Do you see know why this tale means a lot to me? In some ways it is said that this is the tale of my bloodline and how we came to be. That we were the little fox and that the light that brought us Wisp is what brought our lives purpose." He looks up at the stars thinking about this tale makes him smile as he recalls how his mother tells it with her sing song tone of voice. The happiness in her voice as she tells it like she was there. Something about this tale makes him feel warm inside as if this tale alone makes it seem as if his mother is standing next to him even if she is far away.
This fact might be why he tells it to himself as if he is telling it to someone else although no one is there. No one around to hear it but him. It does not matter as the reason he says it is to feel closer to his family when he misses them the most. But it would be nice to have a little one to tell it to or maybe even a lover to tell it to. Maybe one day he will have a small one of his own. He does have a fling and a forever maybe that he is looking forward to. "Oh maybe I will tell one of my lady friends this tale. I wonder if they will enjoy it just as much as I do." Thinking about it makes him smile even more than he was after telling himself his favorite tale. He can picture his mother as that little fox with a lantern in her mouth trying to help others find their way. This is something that makes him laugh to himself as he closes his eyes again. "I bet my mother would have been that little fox. I wish it had given its name so that I would know what to call it instead of calling it little fox every time I retell that tale. Oh well, maybe I could ask my mother next time I see her."
WC:: 757
