The Raven and The Lightning - sketches



The Raven decided to steal the lightning. 
Not that he gave much thought to the project; he just happened to watch the first ever thunderstorm brought to life by some Wakinyans and fell madly in love with white electrical shocks that were connecting the clouds and the earth beneath them. 
"I want one for myself" he thought. "It must be the most amazing being on the planet, all sizzling and hot".

****

"But you can't keep the lightning in a jar' said the Raven. The Badger looked at him, clearly without comprehension. 
'Yes you can", he answered. 'Otherwise it's dangerous. It can burn you. It's lightning, you know.'
'Yes, but isn't it supposed to be free?'
The Badger clicked his tongue. 
'It causes damage when it's free. It destroys things.'
'Yes, but it's so beautifil...'
'Beauty should not be the sole reason for an existence. Here, it is productive. It produces light, it produces warmth, and it nourishes others. It is happy.'
'No, it is not', said the Raven quietly. But the Badger did not hear him, and went about his business. 
The Raven stood there, tracing the lid of the jar with his finger. It was sealed with wax. He could feel tiny electric shocks in the places where his skin touched the metal, as if someone was knocking from the inside. 

He moved his finger down along the glass of the jar. A small tendril from the lightning followed his finger. 
'You don't look very comfortable in this jar', said the Raven. 'Do you?'
There was a crack of static, almost inaudible. 
The Raven took the jar up, put it on his outstrethched hand and lifted it towards his face. For a second there, glancing into the glass confinement, he understood the desire to keep the lightning captive: he could have it for himself. The most beautiful thing he had ever seen would be his forever, floating between translucent walls. 
'It will burn you if you let it out' whispered the voice that might have been, or might have been not, the Badger's. 
The lightning cracked gently, soundless. 
'I will take the risk', said the Raven and twisted the lid. 






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