Thistlevale Literary Page

Yuay set down the logs in the fire pit. The tents were set up, and Rosie the fox-like Faunling was ready for dinner. Yuay knew they needed a fire to cook, so she grabbed two large rocks.

 

Her best friend Loria walked over and put her hands on her hips. “Why are you rubbing rocks together? That never works.”

 

“It totally works!” Yuay said, not even looking up.

 

“No it doesn’t. You’re supposed to use sticks.” Loria grabbed two dry twigs.

 

“Yeah, right. Rocks are way better.” Yuay said.

 

“Sticks work in movies,” Loria shot back.

 

“Cartoons,” Yuay said, standing up. “And cartoons aren’t real.”

 

“They’re just as real as any movie!” Loria said, her voice rising.

 

Yuay argued.

 

“Well... fine! I’ll show you!” Loria sat down and started rubbing her sticks together. Three minutes later, not a single spark appeared.

 

“Ha!” Yuay laughed. “Watch this!” She sat down with her rocks and started rubbing them together furiously.

 

Five minutes later, Loria was laughing. “Yours didn’t work either!”

 

“Give me more time!” Yuay grumbled. After ten more minutes, both girls’ hands were sore. They sat back, tired and frustrated. Suddenly, two sparks flew into the fire pit, and flames burst to life. Startled, the girls looked around and spotted Rosie. She was standing proudly with a piece of flint in her mouth, and steel in her paws.

 

“Rosie…?” Yuay asked, wide-eyed. Rosie wagged her tail, barked once, and licked her lips, clearly ready for dinner.