Mates of May

"There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Right grandpa?" Pepito asked, wanting the whole story from 'the source' of his parents' bedtime tales and nightly dreams. It was Pepito's first visit to the Dragopolis Valley, where elders, adults, and juveniles gathered once a year in May from all regions. The eldest of the family met with their grandchildren to pass on the stories of their ancestors. The adults mingled, hoping to find their lifemate. The juveniles played among themselves, watched the adult courting and mating ceremonies, and listened to their grandfather's stories.

Pepito had an instant connection with his grandfather the day he was born. Elder Petros made another exception in leaving Mount Rose to visit the Kejimkujik Forest for his grandson's birth. It was a ritual performed by his ancestors since the beginning of their time. The moment Pepito broke out of his shell, he drew his first breath, opened his eyes, and saw his grandfather who was peering at him sideways with one eye. Then, the black vertical slit of his grandfather's eye opened into a black hole. There was no escape.

Elder Petros knew Pepito would be paralyzed during this process. He would be seeing the past, the future, and all the sounds, colors, places, and creatures of the universe. It was over in a blink of an eye. His grandson then closed his eyes and released his first cry. Elder Petros satisfied the information was transferred, squeezed his daughter-in-law Petra's shoulder, smiled at her reassuringly, and left. Pepito would open his eyes for the second time, and he would see his mother and think what had just happened was a dream. Pepito's dreams would one day become his reality when the time was right.

Burrowed meters deep in a hole, it was time for Petra and Pepito to leave their nest and seek the shelter of the tallest red oak tree for his protection. She looked up to see Peter, Pepito's father, standing on the edge and knew he would lead them to their new home. She gently held their son in her hands and lept high enough to open her wings to soar straight up towards the clear blue sky. Peter appeared beside them and flew ahead. Pepito, safely held in his mother's hands, looked below and saw the puzzle pieces of various shades of green and red that formed his father's territory. Straight before them, looming meters above all the other trees, was the brightest red oak, shaped with a dome top.

His mother's descent was sudden, graceful, and skilled. His father disappeared in the fiery leaves first. Clutching to his mother's fingers, Pepito closed his eyes and held his breath as they followed close behind. He was home. The nest his father made was big enough just for him. His mother lowered him to the center of it. As he looked down around him, he saw many squiggly worms. His instinct took over. Pepito slivered out his forked tongue to touch one. "Eww, I don't like that!" he said and looked up at his mom and dad. Petra laughed, and Peter replied, "I know son, but if you want to be big and strong like your dad, you have to eat."

Pepito never grew to love worms before crawling out of his nest and discovering many other creatures. During the day, he explored the oak tree and tasted many different flavors. Slugs were better than worms only because they were small and didn't taste like anything when swallowed whole. Moths were fun to eat because he had to look hard to find one first, like playing hide and seek. Caterpillars tickled his tongue and throat as he swallowed. Beetles were crunchy and popped in his mouth when he bit into one. His mother would always smile and say, "Thank you, Pepito, for helping mommy clean the house", every time he ate. At night, his parents would explain the importance of everything he was learning and then tell stories of family members living in the different regions.

Every morning after waking up, he would notice his bed was smaller than the day before. He told his parents about another dream he had, and they would always say, "Don't worry, grandpa will explain it to you when you see him." Knowing his parents had nothing more to say, he would happily run off to discover more of the tree. One day, he saw another nest at the very top of the tree but it was near the end of a branch. It was a much smaller nest than his. He climbed as far as he could but was unable to reach it. He was too heavy for the branch. Pepito was so angry he felt burning hot inside, and, it was at that moment, that another instinct took over.

He slowly saw himself rising above the branch and hovering in the air. He had been using his hands, feet, and tiny wings, but he was now flying for the first time. His excitement dropped him back down on the branch, and he scrambled to the nest as fast as he could to tell his mother. "Mom! Mom!" he yelled until he reached her. She was eating with his father where his bed once was. He was horrified by what he saw.

"Eww, gross! What are you eating, and where's my bed!" he yelled. Pepito would never forget this day. "Sit down son," his father said. "First of all, your mother and I saw you flying. We are so proud of you. When you are exploring out on your own, you think we don't see you, but we always do. We are here to care for you and protect you until you can for yourself, but you are not a baby anymore. As of now, you will be sleeping, eating, and flying with us." Pepito had lost the feeling of excitement and joy from flying. He knew a change was coming, starting with eating whatever was hanging over the branch between his parents.

His mother bit a small piece of meat off the deer's rib and handed it to Pepito. He tasted it first with the tip of his forked tongue and heard a growl coming from his throat. As he placed it in his mouth, he started chewing and humming "Mmmm," with his eyes slowly closing. He loved it. "Why am I only eating this now!" he asked with disbelief. Petra and Peter laughed as they reached in the deer's open belly for more. That evening Petra and Peter lounged along the branch with Pepito between them. His father told him everything they would be doing together until he was strong enough to fly with them to the Dragopolis Valley in May. Pepito understood his duty was caring for the oak tree, and tomorrow would be learning how to protect their forest. He knew it was time to grow up. He was ready and most important, it would lead him to his grandfather, who would then answer all of his questions.

Pepito's excitement returned. He would be leaving the tree first thing in the morning and flying with his father to explore the forest. "Mom," Pepito whispered. "Yes, dear," Petra replied in a whisper. "I can't fall asleep. Can you tell me again the story of when grandpa came to visit me when I was born?" he asked. "Well, once upon a time, in a cradle hidden deep inside the forest floor, a baby dragon egg was born. Every day, the baby dragon tried and tried to break free. Then one day, the egg cracked. The next day, there was a second crack. On the third day, the cracks spread all around the egg until a little beak broke through, and then ....," Petra paused. She and Peter looked at each other and smiled from hearing Pepito's growly snores. They moved in closer, rested their heads on either side of him, and happily drifted off to sleep.