Chapter 1: The Escape
Under the light of the setting moon, the little owl struggles and writhes to break free from the cord wrapped around its leg. It pecks at the rope, which slowly begins to fray.
He managed to get through the door of the dark and immense glasshouse where he had been locked up his whole life.
At the other end of the rope, a large owl with an evil glare pulls from his side to drag the fugitive back.
The outcome is uncertain, the little bird is not strong enough to resist for long. But he no longer wants to be the slave of the eagle-king and his court of eagle owls, nor the object of their violence, of their deep contempt. He does not want to die like his parents, and he pulls, pulls, pecks! …
Suddenly, the rope breaks! The little owl tumbles, gets up and rushes toward the nearby undergrowth, running on his little feet.
The big owl takes flight to catch him, punish him, eat him …
Otus, that’s the little owl’s name, hides in a tree stump; his gray feathers and small size serve him well, for once.
He hears the soft flapping of his enemy’s wings flying back and forth, and closes his eyes to avoid any reflection that might betray him.
Hours pass, daylight breaks.
Otus still doesn’t move. He thinks of his parents, eaten just a few days earlier by the eagle-king of the glasshouse.
Loving, affectionate little owls, but so helpless in the face of the dominant birds… The strength of their love was not enough to save them; deep in his hiding place, he despairs of this violent world.
He must escape, quickly, but where to? And he doesn’t know how to fly—he was never allowed to.
His parents spoke to him many times about a welcoming glasshouse bathed in beautiful light, far to the south.
He decides to go find it!
As night falls, Otus sets out, skirting widely around the dark glasshouse. The large owls are already out hunting for new prey, new slaves.
He takes great care to stay hidden and watches the world outside the glasshouse in awe. The wind, the rustling of the leaves in the trees, the delicate step of a spider on the ground, the faint light of the stars he’s seeing for the first time, the hooting of other owls …
He breathes deeply and feels the richness and depth of his connection to the world around him!
Crack! His attention slips for a moment, and he steps on a twig that breaks with a thunderous sound! Quickly, he dives into a small hole in the ground and stays still, heart pounding. Two large owls have just arrived, diving straight toward him.
Suddenly, a clear light appears out of nowhere and blinds them. Startled, they ascend … The light disappears. Disturbed, the large owls resume their search, but a bit further away. Phew!
Later, Otus resumes his path. What luck he had! His mother used to talk about his lucky star—maybe it just saved his life? For a moment, it seemed like the light came from his own body, but that can’t be it!
He’s hungry but doesn’t know how to feed himself in this world. He walks slowly, … for a long time …
Around a tree, he spots in the distance a new glasshouse, dark and immense as well … So, there are more of them in this world, he thinks, trembling with fear! He stays motionless for a long while, assessing the danger of being so close.
A noise to the left startles him. He turns his head and sees a small owl approaching.
– What are you doing here? asks the newcomer.
– I’m looking for a bright and welcoming glasshouse, farther south, replies Otus, relieved to break his solitude.
– You won’t find it here! This dark glasshouse spreads desolation and death throughout the region.
– Yes, I figured. But what about you, what are you doing here, putting yourself in danger, so close?
– I’m a lookout!
– A lookout?
– Yes, to warn my clan when the big owls come out.
– A clan?
– Yes, a clan. If you want, I’ll take you there after my watch. My name is Pilo.
– And I’m Otus.
Two hours later, Otus joins the clan with his new friend. He is welcomed by one of the elders.
– Hello little owl, my name is Kotis. What are you doing here, all alone?
– Hello, my name is Otus, and I’m searching for a bright and welcoming glasshouse, farther south.
– Yes, I’ve heard of it, but I think it’s a legend; the glasshouses I’ve known were all dark, alas! Would you like to rest and eat with us?
– Oh yes, gladly, thank you! I’ll continue my journey afterward.
He enjoys resting in the hollow of a delicately scented tree, and the varied, delicious food made of small insects.
At the next dusk, Pilo warns Otus: the eagle owls have left the glasshouse in search of fresh meat! No one should move, make a sound, nothing!
Otus once again hears the muffled flight of the big owls, who pass over, circle back, and search the entire territory.
He is afraid, makes himself as small as possible in his tree hole, and despairs once again of the violence in this world.
The alert is finally lifted. The clan has not been spotted and won’t have to urgently move to another part of the underbrush.
Otus thanks the birds who welcomed him and resumes his journey south. He rests during the day, hidden in small tree holes or in the ground, and travels at night, cautiously, on his little feet. He grows more confident, now knows how to avoid the main dangers, and feeds on insects he finds here and there.
One morning, exhausted from his night walk, he falls asleep and dreams that he finally finds the luminous glasshouse.
He wakes up at the end of the day, surprised to have slept so long, and relieved to still be alive!
He resumes his route, but … something intrigues him.
Alert, he observes his surroundings carefully—sounds, movements, smells that might signal danger … Nothing …
Then it hits him: he knows this path, it’s the one he walked in his dream!
He walks and walks … The sun is about to rise. Otus knows he is now very close to the luminous glasshouse and quickens his pace.
Suddenly, a shadow, the soft sound of wings— a big owl dives toward him … He has no time to move or hide. He closes his eyes, makes himself tiny, and awaits the impact, the death …
But nothing happens.
He opens one eye and sees a large owl beside him, smiling broadly.
– Sorry little owl for scaring you. I mean you no harm! My name is Bubo and I’m happy to welcome you.
– G-g-good morning sir, stammers Otus.
– Call me Bubo, no formality between us. What’s your name?
– Otus.
– Well Otus, follow me, says Bubo as he spreads his wings.
– I-I don’t know how to fly, says Otus, I’m sorry.
– Ah, poor little owl, what a sorrow not to know how to fly for a bird! But that can be fixed, follow me!
And Bubo starts walking slowly, followed by Otus.
They both emerge into a wide clearing, at the center of which stands a magnificent glasshouse, radiating a warm and clear light all around!
Otus stands there, breathless, in awe…
He is introduced to the community by Bubo. The birds rejoice at his arrival and warmly welcome him. Otus notices that their smiles are kind, just like those of his parents and friends. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he feels at peace — at home.
Later, nestled in the hollow of a small tree trunk, Otus falls asleep and dreams of his parents, his friends, his past, and the great journey he has completed…
He also dreams of new adventures and smiles in his sleep.
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