Six Months Later
In the months that followed his arrival, Kalki began to teach me how to speak, how to hunt, and many other things. It seemed like every day, I was learning something new under his watch. Sadly, however, as the months went by, and Kalki continued to catch fish from the pond, their numbers grew fewer and fewer, until one day, there were only two left. On this day, we ventured back to the pond to play, and watch the fish interact.
"Kalki, why don't we just take one of the fish?" I stared at the cod with saliva on my tongue, just waiting for him to give me the okay.
"Because, child, those two need each other. Some day, they will need to be together, so that they might create new life in this pond, and create a new family. You remember what I told you about family, don't you, Snow?" He stared deeper into the pond, and for a second, I thought his gaze could have reached the bottom of the ocean. One of the fish began to circle the other, and soon, the second joined in, forming a perfect ring, swirling around the pond.
Mesmerized by the fish at first, I regained my composure. "You told me that when two creatures love each other, their souls become one, and from their combined efforts, they can bring new life into our world. You also told me that losing your family is a very sad thing to go through..." Realizing why these two were off-limits, I frowned, just a bit, and then smiled.
"Kalki, do you think these two fish will create life like you say?" I asked him with a curious tone.
"If they do not, then this pond will be devoid of life, and there will never be fish to swim in it again. So, though I do not know, I assure you that I hope they do."
Lying down by the pond, I began to wonder if Kalki had at one point known other beasts...griffons, he called them...that he could call his family. As he sat near me, I decided I would try to teach him something.
"Kalki...we may not be related like a brother, or a sister...but you'll always be my family. Maybe family isn't about blood. It's about caring a lot about another pony...or in my case, griffon." Upon saying this, I smiled at him.
"I guess so, Snow." He laughed a bit, and tousled my mane, eventually pulling me close for warmth's sake.
"Kalki, could you tell me the story of those six ponies again? It's my favorite story of yours, you know." I had my eyes fixated on the fish, whose movements, dancing around each other with such ease and grace, brought me a sense of calmness.
"Snow, this is the third time this week you've asked to hear that story!" He grinned, turning away from the fish toward me. "But alright." He cleared his throat and resumed.
"It was the start of the Summer Sun Celebration, the thousandth one to be precise. Do you remember what the Summer Sun Celebration is?"
"Oh, it's...umm...it's when the Princess, Celestia, raises the Sun to celebrate the longest day of the year!"
"That's right, Snow. This year, the Summer Sun Celebration was being held in a small town called Ponyville."
Soon, I began to lose myself in the tale he wove, a tale of manticores, and sea serpents, and evil unicorns with wings. And then, once his story was finished, I lost myself to a world of dream.
Kalki picked me up by his beak and tossed me over his shoulder, and made his way back to our little home, where I had warm dreams about a griffon I knew would never leave my side.