The Birth of a Friendship

by Dragon_Writer

(Told from the point of view of Xylona the white Elephante)

I can clearly recall the first memories of my life. Some people try to discourage this belief when I tell them, but there is nothing that they can do or say that can dispel it. Perhaps if I explain to you, you might understand.

My earliest recollection is being in my egg. I was surrounded by the comforting golden warmth, my limbs floating lazily in the soft liquid that was my food and my home. I was completely content during the weeks in which I grew larger and stronger. Sometimes, I could feel the shaking rumble of my egg being jarred, and those experiences were always unpleasant.

But during my existence inside of that shell, I could always feel a faint... presence against my mind. During the calm times, and during the disruptive times, I could always count on that familiar and soothing presence, from which love and understanding flowed forth. It was later, when I hatched, that I found out what that presence was.

After many weeks of growing and hardly doing anything, my egg grew too small to contain me. Or rather, I grew too large to be contained. I had consumed most of the food that was inside with me, and my shell was digging uncomfortably into my body. That's when I just knew what I was supposed to do. I was supposed to leave the comforting sanctuary of my egg, and step outside into the harsh and unfamiliar world.

I was frightened, no doubt about that. But there was no other option. So, using the strength of my feet and my trunk, I pounded at the sides of my egg. As the shell was brittle, it easily shattered beneath my beatings. A sharp coldness met my skin, quite different than what I was used to. Air. I lifted my blue trunk, and took my first shuddering breath. Then, filled with a sudden strength, I gave one sudden push.

The remains of my egg which had enclosed me, gave way. I tumbled to the ground, a flurry of limbs mixed with flying shards from the shell. My skin was sticky and wet with the contents of my egg, the food that had sustained me for so long. Carefully, I wiggled my large ears, growing used to the difference from being inside of the egg. I blinked my eyes rapidly, unused to the sudden harsh brightness of the world around me. The colors-- they were too bright. The scents-- too strong. The sounds were too loud. All of these mixed together to form an overwhelming wave of fear that washed through me. I was scared.

A sudden whispering voice caught my attention, and I turned my head sharply around to catch sight of this strange thing. But, as I had only hatched, the movement only sent me tumbling into the dirt. I couldn't keep the cry of frustration and pain from being voiced. But, that is when I noticed the voice again. Soothing, gentle, and soft.

"Careful there, little Elephante," the words came. The words belonged to a young woman who was kneeling down beside the remains of my egg, her green eyes filled with concern. I recognized this girl! It was her mind that I had sensed from within my egg, sending me gentle reassurances. This girl, I knew, was destined to be my friend. For every and always. She would give me unconditional love, and I would give her the same. We had a special bond, which we shared in our hearts and souls. She was me, as I was her. I was hers, as she was mine.

"I am Jenny, young one," the girl murmured, gathering me up in a tender embrace.

I snuggled against her, the happiness threatening to overwhelm me. "I am Xylona. And I am yours." I told her.

The End