Fourteen Years Later
Raven stood over the bridge, looking at the river in vague interest. She had just been told by her mother and father that she had seven brothers. Her mother and father had went on to explain what had happened the week after she was born. Learning what had happened to her brothers brought her to a sense of understanding. She knew that they were probably kind and considerate, though rough as any other schoolboy.
But now she wondered, what would it be like if she found them? Could she find them?
She wasn't sure, but she did know that she was there to take the risk.
Before she left, she made sure to see the wise woman, an old lady who used herbs for every cure and predicted the unpredictable.
What she told Raven, though, was odd.
"This unlocks even the biggest mountain," and the old woman handed her a chicken bone.
Then she handed her a small pouch, "This pouch contains powder that will show you a direct path to your destination, use it well."
With everything said and done, Raven left, powder and chicken bone in sack.
After a few days-- she had sprinkled powder more than a dozen times. She came upon a spectacular mountain spun out of pure glass.
She was caught in the splendor for a few minutes before she realized what she was there to do.
At the side of the mountain was a gate made of solid gold. She knew at once what the chicken bone was for. The wise woman's words floated throught her head, "This unlocks even the biggest mountain." She reached into her sack but found nothing. The chicken bone! It must have fallen out while she was walking.
She felt like crying. Water welled up in her eyes, but she fought it down.
She would improvise. Yes... improvise.
She looked helplessly arounnd for a twig, but found nothing. She knew now that she had only one option left.
Her finger. She had to use her finger. She quickly jammed her left pinkie into the gate's keyhole. A jet of pain erupted in her finger and shot up through her arm. Although the pain was extreme at times , she continued twisting her finger all the way around. When she thought she could bear it no longer, she heard a click and the gate swung open.
She pulled her finger out and found that it was bruised and broken. Raven immediately bandaged it, then carried on through the labyrinth of tunnels.
An hour later, she came into an opening where seven ravens sqwaked over food. Once each of the ravens' attention was on her she made a wish that her brothers would be turned to human form again.
The seven ravens instantly transformed into their original forms. And, it's safe to say, they lived happily ever after.