a beginning to the bird boy

this was written two years ago for a University of Iowa summer writers' assignment. the beginnings to posts that later inspired this and this.

- - - - -

He belongs to the earliest family in the region of Tall, Steep Hills. His family existed before history was created -- before people walked on two legs, before the wheel. Their time and history was told relative to everything else. Visitors to the town at the base of Tall, Steep Hills would inquire about the age of the family. All would answer, "Longer than any of the other families; history didn't exist when they began. All we know is one true descendent remains. It is he who lives on top of the Tall, Steep Hills.”

The base of his particular tall, steep hill is suffocated with bushes and brambles of the fastest growing genus around. He lives above the tree line. Every day he fights through the forest with his skinny arms extended in protection of his face; and every evening he returns to the once again overgrown pathways. 

Years before today, his fellow inhabitants of Tall, Steep Hills grew tired of daily commute and compromises with the branches and thorns. They retreated below the tree line to the outskirts of town. But he -- he stayed in the Tall, Steep Hills.

As they left, he watched the once frequented footpaths become engulfed and overgrown with brambles and bushes. What once took him mere minutes to walk through, now requires hours. Yet he remains. Believing that if he stays, he may find the history of his long deceased family and their stories.

Each day as he heads into town the townspeople whisper.

"There he is."

"There he is."

"The one that lives on top of the tall, steep hill."

"The one who waddles even though skinny and lanky."

"The one who's family was once so great and magnificent."

Someone once told him his family was a rare group -- descended from those rumored to travel not by foot but by feather.  His family helped create history to record the stories and lessons of time. And they said, he retains the traits of his family -- built with two measly legs and thin bony arms, now balding from his fights with the forest. Arms that once displayed the most beautiful feathers.