This is a
story about the start of an unlikely friendship.
Joseph was a centaur.
Sinclaire was a faun.
You see, fauns and centaurs don’t
normally get along. Centaurs are known
for their wisdom and stoic personality.
Fauns are known for their lightheartedness and joviality.
They shared a personality trait
though.
Stubbornness.
Both races were stubborn as could be
and it was no different for Joseph and Sinclaire.
They first met at a river crossing
just as one might expect in a story such as this. The bridge was of course only large enough
for one person to cross at a time. Both
reached the middle of the bridge at the same time.
“Turn around little faun,” commanded
Joseph.
“I shan’t,” responded Sinclaire.
“I’m further.”
“And yet you aren’t because your
oversized rump stretches much further back than I am.”
“Move or I shall toss you into the river, little faun.”
“I shall not move.”
“Insignificant creatures should move
for superior races.”
“If I were to move that would be
feeding your ego’s obesity. You should
be leading by example, you great big oaf.”
“I can’t lead by example if there
isn’t anyone superior to move for.”
“You great villain!”
“What shall you do, little
faun? Stamp your little hooved
feet? Your blows would be nothing but a
tickle to my muscular frame.”
“Then I have nothing to do but break
your spirit.”
This argument continued for quite a
long time. Neither gave in to the other
and they soon found the sun to be setting and it seemed as if neither would
make it to his destination any time soon.
“Are those four twigs of yours
getting tired yet?”
“If you don’t move little faun, I
shall move you,” warned Joseph.
“I do not think you could move a
single flea from your flea infested hair.”
In that moment Sinclaire knew he had
gone too far. Joseph’s hair was his
greatest pride.
“Not a single flea or fly has
lingered in my locks since I was a wee centaur,” huffed Joseph.
And without another word, Joseph
pushed poor Sinclaire into the frothy river.
Sinclaire’s small frame sank below the surface before bobbing up a few
feet away.
“Help!” he cried, “Help! For I cannot swim.”
The noble creature that he was,
Joseph forgot their petty argument and leapt into the water to rescue the faun. His muscular frame soon reached the faun and
his arms caught him up. Joseph fought
against the current and he reached the embankment and dragged both himself and
Sinclaire up out of the river.
The two, lay side by side on the
embankment panting for breath. Sinclaire
stood up and laughed long and hard.
Joseph stared at him confused and annoyed.
“What is it, you foolish creature?”
asked Joseph.
“It is not I who is the fool,”
grinned Sinclaire. “For I can indeed
swim. I have just used that as an excuse
to reach my destination. You see, you
have carried me to the side of the bridge I was seeking in the first place.”
Sinclaire doubled over with
laughter.
“You, impudent faun!” said Joseph
standing up.
It was a long chase that took place
but eventually Sinclaire’s fear outran Joseph’s red-hot rage.
