The Fable of the Creator’s Gifts
From Fastōshi: Chronicles
© 2003 by Walter Reimer

Thumbnail art by  baroncoon, color by  Major Matt Mason



“Come near, and hear me; I shall tell you the truth.

“In the fullness of time, after the Vir had journeyed throughout the World, and had created all things by the power of creation that stood within Her, did the Creator, called Gorānkashlan, summon all the creatures of the World together.

“And the Creator said, ‘Draw near to Me, and tell Me what gift thou shalt have at My hands.’

“And the gves drew near, and said, ‘Oh Creator, give me a size such to fend away my enemies,’ and as it spoke the words its Gift was granted.

“And the jorhim drew near and said, ‘Oh Creator, give me speed and stealth and the powers of the hunt.’ And its Gift was granted. And so each of the beasts of the World, and the fishes, and the birds of the airs, and the plants of the field and hill did come forth and ask a Gift of the Creator, and it was granted to them all.

“Then did the Creator look about It, and It asked, ‘But where is the Shlan? For its Gift has yet to be granted.’ And It searched for a shlan, and found one seated amid a bed of sweet flowers. And the shlan, when bidden, came forward and reverenced the Creator.

“The Creator said, ‘Tell Me what gift thou shalt have at My hands. But first, tell Me what thou wert doing.’

“And the shlan spoke and said, ‘Oh Creator, I was seated amid the blossoms of the t’hof, since they are fair to look upon, and a sweet scent in my nostrils. Please, oh Creator, give me and those who follow after me the Gift of seeing the delights of the World Thou hast made for us, and grant us minds to use, and hands to shape.’

“And so the Creator was exceeding pleased with the shlan, and granted it all it asked for, and more.

“And so it has always been. The jorhim is swifter, the gves is larger, fishes can swim and birds fly. But none have the gifts of the shlani; to see the beauty of the World, and to have minds and hands to shape it, and to create.”