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Description
The Eagle

Beneath me, the mountains, above me, the sky. Beyond, all I can see is the cracked land fading into the distance. The cool morning breeze turns into a stiff gale as I soar through the sky, my spotted wings lifting me higher and yet higher. The intense sun ought to burn me, but the sense of freedom and glory chases all pains into far oblivion…
These were my thoughts, lying in the hot sand, watching the eagle circle the distant mountaintops. I moved my arm across the scorching dust, sighed, knowing that these feelings belonged to the majestic bird, surveying the land like a king ready to strike down any animal daring to leave their hideaway from the sun.

This is how I too could see the world, through the eyes of the eagle. I closed my eyes again, trying to perceive any sound echoing across the barren land, but the drawn-out stillness of the high rocks and the stale air gently caressing my scorched face numbed my senses, and soon a light slumber overcame my worn body.
A sudden high-pitched screech tore me from my doze. Still half-dazed, I sat up to search the origin of the alarming cry. My eyes settled on two airborne shapes that appeared black against the brilliant sun - a second eagle challenging the old king. The two foes appeared to be wrestling for the invisible crown, or fighting for their lives. They traced one narrow circle after the other in the sky, pecking and clawing at each other until exhaustion claimed them. When the feathery explosions became rare and the droplets of blood had soaked into the dusty ground I knew that the struggle was almost over, and the victor was soon to be decided.
The last blow fell, so did the vanquished bird, tumbling from the blue like a stone and hitting the ground with a thump. After a few seconds of breathless stillness, the mass on the ground twitched, creating a small shower of sand, and finally lay still. I yearned to run over to him, but the unwritten law of nature prohibited me to help the weaker creature, so I waited in the hot sand, desperate to see if the one swooping high up amongst the scarce clouds full of authority was the old king, my companion.
Quickly the flying eagle seemed to tire, weakened from the fight, and slowly started gliding to the earth. To my great relief, it was indeed my spotted friend who came down to rest near my foot, on top of a small rock nearly touching my ankle. He shook himself, his damaged but ever handsome feathers rustling in the slight breeze, and turned his head to peer at me through one eye, briskly bobbing his head down, once, twice, as if to tell me he was not badly wounded, apart from perhaps his pride.
We sat together, nearly motionless, underneath that blinding sun until the light slowly dulled and the night creatures started to crawl out of their nests. Deep into tomorrow we sat there, sharing our life and perception like some share bread, our souls intertwining in a connection no-one understands, as I watched the world through the eyes of the eagle.
After a long time I stood up, smiled and thanked the moon for the cool air. When I turned round to the eagle, all I found was empty sand with faint impressions of his long talons, elongated into tracks as he had taken off in flight. Within a minute I heard his echoing shriek, a league ahead already, mocking my slow progress along the heavy sand. Thus we travelled, I on foot, and he on wings, across the lands towards the future.

Had I ever turned around, I would have seen my footsteps, fading into the distance, their beginning too distant to see, even through the eyes of an eagle.

Description
The Eagle

Beneath me, the mountains, above me, the sky. Beyond, all I can see is the cracked land fading into the distance. The cool morning breeze turns into a stiff gale as I soar through the sky, my spotted wings lifting me higher and yet higher. The intense sun ought to burn me, but the sense of freedom and glory chases all pains into far oblivion…
These were my thoughts, lying in the hot sand, watching the eagle circle the distant mountaintops. I moved my arm across the scorching dust, sighed, knowing that these feelings belonged to the majestic bird, surveying the land like a king ready to strike down any animal daring to leave their hideaway from the sun.

This is how I too could see the world, through the eyes of the eagle. I closed my eyes again, trying to perceive any sound echoing across the barren land, but the drawn-out stillness of the high rocks and the stale air gently caressing my scorched face numbed my senses, and soon a light slumber overcame my worn body.
A sudden high-pitched screech tore me from my doze. Still half-dazed, I sat up to search the origin of the alarming cry. My eyes settled on two airborne shapes that appeared black against the brilliant sun - a second eagle challenging the old king. The two foes appeared to be wrestling for the invisible crown, or fighting for their lives. They traced one narrow circle after the other in the sky, pecking and clawing at each other until exhaustion claimed them. When the feathery explosions became rare and the droplets of blood had soaked into the dusty ground I knew that the struggle was almost over, and the victor was soon to be decided.
The last blow fell, so did the vanquished bird, tumbling from the blue like a stone and hitting the ground with a thump. After a few seconds of breathless stillness, the mass on the ground twitched, creating a small shower of sand, and finally lay still. I yearned to run over to him, but the unwritten law of nature prohibited me to help the weaker creature, so I waited in the hot sand, desperate to see if the one swooping high up amongst the scarce clouds full of authority was the old king, my companion.
Quickly the flying eagle seemed to tire, weakened from the fight, and slowly started gliding to the earth. To my great relief, it was indeed my spotted friend who came down to rest near my foot, on top of a small rock nearly touching my ankle. He shook himself, his damaged but ever handsome feathers rustling in the slight breeze, and turned his head to peer at me through one eye, briskly bobbing his head down, once, twice, as if to tell me he was not badly wounded, apart from perhaps his pride.
We sat together, nearly motionless, underneath that blinding sun until the light slowly dulled and the night creatures started to crawl out of their nests. Deep into tomorrow we sat there, sharing our life and perception like some share bread, our souls intertwining in a connection no-one understands, as I watched the world through the eyes of the eagle.
After a long time I stood up, smiled and thanked the moon for the cool air. When I turned round to the eagle, all I found was empty sand with faint impressions of his long talons, elongated into tracks as he had taken off in flight. Within a minute I heard his echoing shriek, a league ahead already, mocking my slow progress along the heavy sand. Thus we travelled, I on foot, and he on wings, across the lands towards the future.

Had I ever turned around, I would have seen my footsteps, fading into the distance, their beginning too distant to see, even through the eyes of an eagle.