Young Adira and Harry

Harry was out in the woods hunting. The little tiger climbed a tree in hopes of sniping some easy game, but being somewhat portly and not very sure footed, the poor boy quickly found himself tumbling through a maze of branches before hitting the ground with a loud thud. His clothes were torn, his body bruised but he tried his best not to cry-- then he realized that the bow his father had given him was broken in two, and it was no use.

He saw a girl about his age approaching him and did what little he could to compose himself. He'd never seen a keidran like her before, but quickly found out she was a snow leopard. Without hesitation she held out her hand, and helped Harry to his feet. She walked with him through the forest occasionally telling him a story, a joke, or singing a song, holding his hand the whole time. A few hours later, when she was sure his tears were dry, she gave him a hug and said farewell. Before Harry could even think to ask for her name, she was gone.

In the following years, Harry would still think back to that afternoon. When times were hard, he'd remember the way the girl's intense blue eyes would sparkle like sapphires, or the way her soft white hand felt in his, and it never failed to make him smile. He wondered what kind of lady she had grown into, or if he'd ever see her again. Whatever the case, he hoped she was happy and well.