Chapter 1
Unicorns
Unicorns
I know that you are probably thinking “Unicorns don’t exist.” But that is simply because you haven’t encountered one. I have. And I will tell you about it in this chapter. And don’t forget: keep your mind open.
June 5
It was my first trip. I was only ten years old. My parents were researchers. Of what I did not know yet. I only knew that they researched animals of some sort.
The three of us traveled to a small, remote island called Feltadore Island. I wasn’t told much, despite my constant questioning. I was only told that we were going on a vacation and I wouldn’t see my friends for awhile. My best friend, Ellie, and I were sad to be separated, but I was excited for the trip. Soon, I was complaining the whole way there, as most little kids do. (The typical “are we there yet?”)
June 7
Finally, we arrived at our destination. I, having lived inland me whole life, was immediately intrigued by the beach. The hot sand, the cool salty water, the sound of waves crashing, birds chirping. I loved it all!
After I finished exploring the beach, my mom, Michelle, took me to a small grass hut that smelled like salt. Inside were two small beds and a fireplace. My dad, Sean, was sitting on one of the beds in a safari-like outfit. I now realized my mom was wearing a similar one. He took my hand, the one my mom wasn’t holding, and the three of us walked to another hut. This one was bigger and had a long table with chairs. The smell of food wafted from across the room.
After we ate lunch, my parents said I could explore the island, if I was careful. So I immediately ran off into the woods. The woods were very colorful. There were plants and animals of every shape, size, and color. The variety ranged from tiny red ants to huge purple and blue parrots.
I spent hours listening to birds squawk and smelling lovely lilacs. Soon I came to a clearing, where I halted at the edge and gasped. There, standing alone in the clearing, was a horse. “No, not a horse,” I thought, staring at the horn jutting out of its forehead, “a unicorn.”
I stood there for a few minutes, trying to comprehend what I had just seen, before deciding to go tell my mom and dad. I backed up and, after a few feet, started running at full speed toward the camp. “Mom! Dad!” I shouted as I reached it. I spotted them running to me.
I stopped to catch my breath, while mom said, “What is it, Honey? Are you hurt?” She scanned me nervously.
I shook my head. “No, but you HAVE to see this.” I said, pulling them toward where I saw the unicorn.
“Okay, Sweetheart.” My dad said as he pat my head.
I immediately dragged them through the trees. As we neared the clearing, I told them to be very quiet. The three of us tiptoed to the clearing where, thankfully, it was still there.
“Oh, my god…” my mother muttered. My dad just stared blankly at the unicorn, mouth agape. After a minute, they recovered. My dad started taking pictures, while my mom took notes on its behavior.
That was my first, and last, experience with a unicorn. He was beautiful. His pure white body, his long blonde mane and tail, and a gorgeous gold horn on his head. This experience gave me my interest in mythology. Here, I also learned that my parents researched mythological creatures.
