Trying my proverbial hand at something a little different while I work out the next chapter of Colony 21186D: Survival.
Transformers and all related material is property of Hasbro, but the folk tales are property of everyone!
Oh! Hello there, Sparkling! I didn't see you there at first. Now, now, don't be frightened. You're not in any trouble, after all. Terrible weather out there, isn't it? Ah, got stuck in the middle of the storm, did you? Well, that's alright. I expect your sire and carrier will be along to get you as soon as I let them know you're here. In the meantime, why don't you come and warm up...what was your designation? Oh, that's right. You play with my grandsparklings in school. Dear me, I'm getting forgetful these cycles...
There there, it's only thunder! It can't hurt you, Sparkling. I know! Why don't I tell you a story while we wait for your parents? Would you like that? I thought you might. Very well then, this is the story of a great big Predacon, and an itsy bitsy Scraplet...
The Predacon and the Scraplet
Long ago, a might Predacon stalked through the canyons of his desert domain, proudly considering his strength. Suddenly, he heard a tiny voice cry out, "Help! Oh someone, please help me!" He followed the sound until he found a Scraplet, caught in an oil slick. As he watched in disgust, it turned its optics to him. "O Mighty Predacon," she squeaked, "I beg you for aid!" "Nonsense," the dragon snorted, "You would only bite me the moment you were free."
"No no!" the Scraplet cried, "I give you my word! If you help me, I swear that one day I will repay the favor!" The Predacon laughed. How could such a tiny creature ever help such a mighty hunter? Nonetheless, he was amused by the Scraplet, and lifted her from the oil slick. Then he went on his way, thinking nothing of it. Some time later, the Predacon was once again walking in the canyons when he was surprised by a party of hunting Decepticons!
They shot at him with their lasers and threw nets at him, trapping the dragon. "Help!" he cried, but it seemed that no one heard. Suddenly, the hunters were swarmed by Scraplets, and quickly disappeared! The very same Scraplet that the Predacon had rescued came to chew through the net herself. "You see?" she asked, "I promised that I would help you one day!" With that, she and her swarm departed, never to be seen again.
The moral of the story is, never judge someone by their size. Did you like the story, Young One? I'm glad. Well, it seems the storm hasn't let up yet. Here, you sit in my chair while I get you some energon. It's about mealtime, anyway. Slow down, dear, slow down! One question at a time, if you please. Why did the Predacon trust the Scraplet? Well I don't know really, I suppose you'd have to ask him. Yes, I know Scraplets are dangerous, too. That dragon took a risk, didn't he? He certainly ended up better than the poor Turbofox! Oh, you don't know that story? Well I guess I'll just have to tell you!
The Scraplet and the Turbofox
A long time ago, a Scraplet and Turbofox met at the edge of a wide river of rust. "Carry me on your back, and we shall both make it across!" said the Scraplet. "But how can I trust you?" asked the wary Turbofox, "For you will surely try to eat me!" "No, my friend, I shall not!" protested the Scraplet, "If I should bite you while you swim, you would sink and we would both drown!" And so he persuaded the Turbofox, who took the Scraplet on his back and began to swim.
Halfway over, the Scraplet became hungry, and attacked his benefactor. "Why?" asked the Turbofox as he sank, "Now we will both die!" The Scraplet answered, "Because it is in my nature."
The moral is, don't be surprised by someone's actions if you already knew what they were going to do. Finished your energon? Oh good. Well, that looks like your sire on the com. Goodness, he looks worried. I'll just be a moment.
Alright, Sparkling, I'm back! Your sire and carrier are on their way now. When you go to school tomorrow, tell my grandsparklings I said hello, won't you? Really? She did? Oh dear. Well I'm awfully sorry to hear that, I'll just have to talk to her about gossiping. Spreading rumors is no way to make friends! Sometimes talking can get you in trouble, you know, just like the Insecticon scout. Would you like to hear one more story before your parents come? You would? Alright then, listen well...
The Talking Helm
An Insecticon went scouting one day, out in the wide, wild, world. He passed cliffs and ruins, and came to a field full of rusted husks. He very nearly tripped over a disembodied helm, far from any bodies. "Poor fellow," he said, "How did you get here?" "Brother," it replied, "By talking." The scout was astonished. "A talking helm! What an amazement!" "Do not tell anyone of this," the helm warned, but the scout refused. "No, I will surely tell my chief!" He flew back to his hive to tell the chief of the marvelous talking helm.
Intrigued, the chief gathered his Insecticon warriors and followed the scout to the helm. The chief stood before the helm and spoke: "I am told you can speak, helm. Is this true?" There was no reply. Again, the chief spoke. "I am told that you can speak as the living can, will you not speak to me?" The helm did not reply. "I command you to speak!" cried the chief, but to no avail. At last, he grew angry with the scout. "You have brought me here to humiliate me before my warriors!" he said, "Therefore, your helm will join this one!" And he had the scout executed.
After they'd left, the old helm rolled over to face the new helm. "Poor fellow," he said, "How did you get here?"
"Brother," the scout replied, "By talking."
Oh, I did not mean to frighten you with this story! Yes, it was unpleasant for that scout, but what the story meant was that telling others' secrets can get us into trouble. Especially if you were asked not to tell! When you go back to school, if the little femme in your class is still spreading rumors, tell her this story. Or better yet, ask your teacher to read it at story time. I would hope she'd take the hint! Well, that looks like your parents. Good bye, little one! I was glad to have the company. Why, yes! You're welcome to visit any time you like! And of course I'll tell you more stories. I have plenty more...this is a library, after all...
What'd you think?