Soar Like A Baby Eagle

Deep in the forest, there is a tree that stands higher than all the rest. This tree is home to a family of bald eagles. The eagles are strong and graceful creatures, the strongest of all is the eagle named, Fagle. Fagle is also known as the darkest and most evil creature in the forest. The old eagle is so afraid of being replaced by one of his offspring, that every young hatchling that is unwilling to submit to his cruel ways, destroyed by the elder. 
Venus, Fagle’s mate has been subjected to twenty-five years of Fagle’s evil rule. Venus was a mother of a hatchling she named, Virgil. Venus that her hatchling would be strong enough one day to stop Fagle, but in the meantime her hatchling must be saved and given the opportunity to gain strength.
“Virgil, my darling you must listen to me now” said Venus. “You must be brave and strong. You have been given special gifts by the Creator and you will one day lead all the animals in the forest.” She cautioned the eaglet, “Your father, Fagel, will be returning to our nest soon and he will surely destroy you just as he did the ones who came before you. You must leave the nest now and continue on your journey, gaining strength and knowledge. You must depend on the Creator who gave you life. He has already prepared everything you will need. It is your destiny to save us.”
“Yes, mama,” replied the young hatchling, “I will go now”.
 He stepped to the edge and peered over to the forest canopy below. His bravery waned momentarily as he contemplated his fate. Several times he had already fallen from the nest and been caught mid-plummet on his mother’s back as she swooped in underneath him and carried him safely back to the nest. This time he knew it would be different. He needed to depend on his own wings to carry him. Taking a deep breath, the young eagle dove head-long over the side, determined to live or die by his own choices.
At first, the freedom of the nest was exhilarating, but as he saw the trees quickly approaching he began to frantically flap his tiny wings and was shocked at how the flight his mother made look so easy was terror inducing and difficult. Each branch struck him with increasing awareness of how limited his abilities were. After what seemed like an eternity of falling, Virgil landed on the ground with a decidedly unceremonious splat.
When Virgil regains his wits enough to make sense of his surroundings he finds a strange little critter peeking at him from the bushes.
“What are you?” asked Virgil.
“I am duckling,” the critter replied. “What are you?”
“I am an eagle” Virgil answered.
“Interesting.” replied the duckling. After a moment the duckling said, “It’s not safe here. Follow me back to my nest and I will give you something to eat and you can rest for the night.” offered Duckling to his new friend.
The eaglet pondered his options. Stay here being certain of his bravery and skill, but possibly be eaten by a predator, or humble himself and go learn the skills he actually needs with the help of this unassuming little duck. After a moment of contemplation, off they waddled, together to head off towards the duckling’s home.
“What is your name friend?” asked Virgil.
“You can call me Dido” replied the duckling
And so the two waddled down the path towards Dido’s home, when suddenly their path was blocked by a fox. The two were startled and slightly concerned about the animal’s intentions. Virgil bravely said, “excuse me sir, but my friend and I are heading to the ducks nest and we need to pass you. Would you mind moving from our path?”
“Oh pardon me.” replied the fox smoothly
But the fox made no effort to move away from the path and instead stretched out his paws and yawned.
“Why would two young animals such as you be out all alone so late anyways?” asked the fox coldly.
The two friends looked at each other and then looked back at the fox, who was slowly walking towards them.
“Why don’t you two come home with me. I can keep you safe in my burrow.” the fox said in a soothing voice.
Dido and Virgil started to wonder if the fox was actually trying to help them or if he had other intentions. As the two debated what they should do, the fox smiled at them and said, “I have food in my burrow and I can keep you both safe from harm.” The fox sounded sincere and calm, making the two young animals interested in going with him.
“Perhaps we should go with him.” said Virgil
“I don’t know. Mamma always said never trust a fox.” cautioned Dido. “But you seem different than what she described.”
“Well I think we should go home with him.” said Virgil.
“I agree” answered Dido.
“Perfect, follow me” said the fox.
Suddenly a duck flew between the fox and the young ones. The duck landed and faced the fox. “Now sly fox you know better than to deceive these young ones.” said the duck.
“Why I’m not deceiving them at all. They want to come with me now.” replied the fox.
After a moment the duck turned towards the two young animals and said, “Do not be let yourselves be deceived by his eloquence young ones.” said the duck. (Apology, 19) “ For he will surely try to eat you as soon as you return to his den.”
“But he said he wanted to help us.” replied Virgil.
“I know young one, but he does not mean well trust me.” said the duck. Looking back at the fox, the duck scowled and said, “ Leave now you trickster. You have no more business here.” After a moment of silence the fox dimply turned away and ran off into the woods.
The duck then faced back towards the young animals and smiled. “Young ones, you must never trust foxes. They are against the nature of the creator and they are against the flexible approach of all nature” (Meditations, 22-23). “Come with me now back to our nest and I will protect you both and I will teach you the ways of the creator. We must prepare you both for your journey’s with fate” (The Aeneid).
Virgil and Dido decided that the safest idea was to go with the duck and let him protect and teach them the ways of nature.
So the three animals kept on the path towards the nest. Together they would protect each other and help one another to survive.