I wrote this story today for my dear dear Carmen.

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Once upon a time, there existed an island in the middle of the ocean, a few miles off from the coast of Antarctica. Although the island was located in arctic waters, it experienced each season beautifully. In the spring, flowers bloomed and trees and grass were as green as could be. On the best days, it was warm with a light rain. In the summer, the sun shone bright and warm, but there was always a cool, relieving breeze blowing through the trees. In the fall, every leaf on every tree turned a pretty crimson red and the days grew shorter. A slight wind was always blowing. In the winter, the wind was at its coldest and clouds sprinkled snow all atop the trees and the land. When night fell, the sky was as black as black could be, allowing the scintillate stars to shine their brightest. The magnificent island seemed to have its own atmosphere.

The island was inhabited by two different groups of animals. Neither of the groups had actually ever met. One lived on the western end of the island, the other on the eastern end. Not one of the groups had ever saw it necessary to travel to the other end. They each had what they needed in their own areas. On the west end, there were the narwhals. On the east end, there were the horses.

One day, on the magnificent island, a curious little narwhal stood at the outer rim of his village. It was a cold fall evening. The narwhal stood and stared curiously at the crimson-leaved trees beyond its village. “One day, I will see what is beyond those crimson-leaved trees,” the little narwhal promised himself and turned toward home. At the same time, but at the opposite end of the island, a little horse stood at the outer rim of her village. “One day, I will find out what is beyond those crimson-leaved trees,” the little horse promised herself, as she turned to go home. Both of these promises would be fulfilled.

The horse prepared herself for the trot across the island. She began her journey as the sun set. The moon’s light illuminated each crimson leaf. She walked on and on, straight through the middle of the island. In the distance, she heard a rustling among the fallen leaves ahead of her. She stopped moving. Her eyes darted in every direction possible. She saw nothing, but still heard the rustling. She decided it was nothing and trotted on. “Ouch!” the little horse shrieked. “Ahh!” said another alarmed voice. The horse looked down at her legs. Another creature looked up at her. They stared intently at one another for several moments. “H-hello,” the smaller creature stammered. “H-hi,” the little horse greeted back. “What are you?” the small creature asked. “I’m a horse,” she answered, “What are you?” “I’m a narwhal,” the smaller one answered. “I knew there was more beyond the crimson-leaved trees!” they both said simultaneously. “Let’s be friends!” they said at the same time once more. The two nodded their heads. They devised a plan which would bring both of their kind together. They agreed to meet each other at the heart of the island, their village in tow, at sunset the next day.

The island was in busy state the following afternoon. Each group was looking forward to the meeting. As the sun began to set, each group hurried to the heart of the island. Both groups walked up at the same time. At the sight of each other, they stopped in their tracks. Each creature found the other absolutely beautiful. They instantly became attached to one another. From that day on, they lived together harmoniously.

Today, the island still remains the same…the appearance at least. There are no longer narwhals and horses inhabiting the island. A new creature inhabits the island. A hybrid of the narwhal and the horse. The magnificent island is home to the majestic unicorn.

The End.