Library:Cave Fables I

Cave Fables III

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Cave Fables I

Author:	Various
Publication:	grnarrow
Publish Date:	Release 9
Genre:	Fable (series)
Original Publication
Publication:	Cave Fables Writing Contest
Publish Date:	January 23, 2014
Series
Series:	Cave Fables
Followed By:	Cave Fables II

The first book of Cave Fables includes the introduction and a tale by Trapper.

Cave Fables I

In the horrible cultural razing that was the Great Cataclysm, much was lost of our ancestor's literature. Only so many books were carried into the caves and caverns where the terrified survivors sought safety, and fewer still withstood those dank environs over the long years. But in that desolation was also the birth of a new, if scant, form of literature. Literature which spoke to the hopes and fears of that desperate time. Among these precarious treasures were countless fables that sprang up, informing and enlightening each new generation, helping them to cope with their dark and dangerous new subterranean world.

Little was written down, for there was little on which to write. because of the scarcity of writing materials, these moral tales, told around fires and at the bedsides of children, were stored only in the mind and transmitted only by the spoken word. Though their form was fleeting, their importance was incalculable.

But in the fullness of time, as our ancestors returned to the surface, many of the lessons taught through those fables no longer seemed so relevant. New fables and stories began to take their place. Though some fables that originated in the caves are still with us -- I am thinking particularly of "The Drowning Donkey" and "The Spider and the Bat" -- their form and substance have been altered so much over time as to be almost unrecognisable compared to the originals. Most of the fables once told in the underground places simply began to vanish.

Recognizing the inevitable decay of this oral tradition, one bard of scholarly bent, Cardimus, endeavoured to collect and record these fables. Though originally transcribed as "The Fables of Cardimus," today they are more commonly and simply known as "The Cave Fables".

-- from Fendel's "History of the Cataclysm, Volume 4"

No Way Out

No Way Out

Author:

Trapper

by Trapper

Two wolves ventured into a cave for shelter during a storm. The rain was so heavy it washed the dirt away and caused the rocks from the top of the mountain to slide to the bottom, closing the mouth of the cave. Two days passed and the wolves were exhausted from attempting to dig their way out of the cave. One turned to the other and said, "We must go further into the cave to see if there is another opening."

The other wolf replied, "I do not know if there is another opening, you can go if you wish but I will stay here and continue trying to dig." Reluctantly the first wolf began to walk further into the cave. As he could not see, he could only feel his way along the walls and floor. He traveled for many hours when he came upon the sound of running water. A river! Finally he could have something to drink. He noticed large branches and logs on the side of this underground river. The only way they could be in this cave is if there was an opening large enough to let them in. After determining which way the river was flowing, he began to walk upstream.

Eventually he came to a wall. As he could go no further, the opening was obviously under the water. He sat down, hungry and tired. How far was the opening? Could he make it on one breath? Was there another place to breathe between here and there? Could he make it, or would he drown? He could stay here for awhile, there is no food to speak of but plenty of water. Maybe he could catch a fish or two in the river? Maybe he could live here for a little while, there are worse places to live than a cave.

At that moment, he heard the howl of his fellow wolf echo through the walls of the cave. He had heard it before, the howl of one who knows death is upon him. It had been almost three days and his friend had no water. How could he even find his friend now? He was not sure of the path he had used to get to this place. No, it was too late.

"One thing I know, it is better to die on my feet than to live on my belly," said the wolf as he clenched his jaw. And with that, he took a deep breath and plunged into the river. Darkness still surrounded him, he swam straight ahead and hoped it was the way out. He reached another wall and glanced upward, is that a light? Yes, that must be it! As his face broke through the top of the water he breathed deeply. He made his way to the bank and collapsed. He was exhausted, tired, bruised and weakened, but he was alive.

When there is no way out, the only choice is to go further in.

Trivia

• The original Cave Fables Writing Contest was won by Trapper for No Way Out.
• The Cave Fables Writing Contest was featured on Portalarium's Community Spotlight