Pangs

As they waited, the Wisest Stone recounted the story of his creation for Taku, who had not asked.

“The ground was shattered,” he said, “and fire rained down from the sky. The sea shook with the force of the blast. Great cracks split the island and smoke blackened the sun. My brothers and I screamed as we plummeted down, hurled into the air by the violence of the eruption.”

Taku wrapped his arms around his legs. “It sounds horrible. Why was your birth so traumatic?”

“There is always pain at a birth,” said the Wisest Stone. “Nothing new comes easily.”