 | Some or all of the information on this page was created before the official release of the content. Please verify that the information is current, then remove the {{Pre-Release}} tag. |
| Book Information Brave Little Scrib Sneaks Out |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| ID | 8481 | ||
| Collection | Solstice Summations | ||
The outside world always held many surprises for Brave Little Scrib. For as far as her tiny legs could take her, she never passed an opportunity to explore the land beyond her colony. From the large mushroom-like plants that shielded her from the harsh sun to the river where River Troll lived, how exciting and endless her adventures were!
Until that sense of exploration, that need to see what was around the bend, slowly started to fade away. Even for her, the extravagant flora, fauna, beasts, and creatures suddenly seemed mundane. And as Brave Little Scrib rested her carapace under a cool mushroom before turning for home, an idea struck her.
What if the real adventures waited until nightfall?
The Kwama warriors had always warned her about venturing out after dark, scaring her with tales of huge predators and something about being squished into jelly or dried into jerky—whatever that meant. They were only trying to frighten her like always, and she was already outside! Now, it was only a matter of waiting.
Soon, it got colder, then darker. Even the moons were obscured by dark clouds overhead. Brave Little Scrib was no stranger to darkness. The egg chamber was usually pitch black, with only slivers of sunshine creeping inside during the day. The nights inside could be scary, but the other scribs, kwama warriors, and workers made the darkness less daunting.
Out here, though, Brave Little Scrib was all alone. There was a strange tightness in her carapace. Adventure wasn't supposed to feel like this. Perhaps it was for the best if she returned home. Surely, tomorrow, when the sun rose, she would feel brave again.
But how would Brave Little Scrib get back home when she couldn't find the path in the darkness?
With every sound around her, she imagined something horrible was creeping closer. She was about to charge out from under the safety of the mushroom, regardless of the danger, when a shimmering light far to the west caught Brave Little Scrib's eye. A light had to mean something good!
She scurried toward the light, paying no heed to the darkness all around her.
"Running like that at this time of night will lead to trouble, Little Scrib. Why not let me take you right to it?" sang Torchbug.
"Torchbug! Oh, how happy I am to see you," Brave Little Scrub said with relief.
"Of course you are. Oh, how I wish I could sometimes dim this light of mine," Torchbug grumbled. "If you came out at night as some sort of death wish, Little Scrib, I'd be happy to light your way."
"No, Torchbug! I, mean, could you help me find my way back to my kwama mine? I'm lost," said Brave Little Scrib.
Torchbug's light twinkled in amusement. The Little Scrib was lost! Oh, how wonderful. This was just the entertainment he had hoped for.
"Oh, that is terrible to hear, Little Scrib. But I'm afraid I can't help you," said Torchbug. "It's much too dangerous to go roaming about in the dark. You really should wait until daybreak."
Brave Little Scrib suddenly felt the forest almost swallow her whole. Wait until daybreak? Where would she even go? The giant mushroom plant had felt safe, but there was no way she could find her way back to it now. And Torchbug was right. She couldn't put him at risk, either.
"No, you're right, tiny Torchbug. I ran here from the safety of my mushroom after hearing strange and scary sounds and seeing your beautiful light. It would be much too dangerous for you to lead me home."
Torchbug's light flickered in agitation. "For me? What are you implying, Little Scrib?"
"Just what you said! It's scary out here."
"Hmm. Well, I bid you good luck and good night, Little—"
"Which means I should stay with you until sunrise! It's not quite the adventure I had in mind, but I'm sure it will be—"
"I'll take you home," Torchbug said, suddenly changing his tune. Puzzled, she scurried to his side.
"But it's dangerous, you said!" Brave Little Scrib said as she scurried into Torchbug's light. "What if someone tries to turn us into jerky? Or jelly!"
"Then you'd better hope your tiny legs can keep up with my wings, Little Scrib."
And so Brave Little Scrib hurried to match Torchbug's pace, and as long as she was inside or near the light he cast, she found that she wasn't afraid. Torchbug's presence and his light made her feel brave.
As Torchbug flew and Brave Little Scrib ran, the clouds parted and the sky cleared. Suddenly the way ahead was lit by the stars and moons above. And soon after that, the entrance to the kwama mine came into view.
"Thank you, Torchbug! You're a true friend! See you tomorrow!" And with that, Brave Little Scrib disappeared inside.
Torchbug hovered for a few moments, watching the entrance. "Not if I see you first," he muttered, but his light twinkled happily as he flew back into the night.