Creation Of Mira's Shrine

Credit to Tallstar for finding this in the archives I was deciphering!

The Shrine of Mira

Long ago, before Jamaa as we know it, Zios decided to create a shrine.  But who for?  He sat many days, thinking, and then finally realized who in all of Jamaa deserved a temple.  It was his beautiful Sky Mother, Mira.  He called Peck to his palace and gave her his instructions.  She was to draw a design for the shrine, decide where to put it, and then craft the most magnificent statue of Mira that was possible.

Peck went to work at once, sketching and erasing and throwing out bad copies, until she finally had the perfect shrine for Mira.  She then went to the forest and found the finest and smoothest copper and sparkling crystals.  She painted the copper a pretty bluish-green and carved it in the shape of a bird holding her wing up.  She then took her two best crystals and fit them on her head for eyes.  She stepped back and sighed.  It was almost as if the beautiful bird was in the room herself.  All of a sudden the statue turned its head to her.  “Hello Peck. That’s a wonderful statue you built of me.”  Peck started, then turned around and realized she was looking at the wrong thing.  It was Mira!  Well, the statue still wasn’t too bad.

Mira flew Peck back to Zios, the wind blowing in her face.  Peck bowed and presented her sketch to him.  He looked at it thoughtfully.  “And where would it go?”  Peck dipped her head respectfully.  “In that empty clearing in the Township, sir.”  Zios smiled.  “Peck, you are one good little rabbit.”  He snapped his fingers.  “Now the Shrine of Mira is complete.  Go visit your wonderful creation, Peck.”

Once again Mira flew Peck across Jamaa, landing lightly in the Township.  Peck felt nervous, but she raised her voice to the animals surrounding her.  “Everyone, a special thing is happening today.”  She paused, trying to find the right words.  “Sky Father Zios has opened a shrine for our Sky Mother, Mira, and now if you’ll follow me, we can visit.”

Peck quietly led the animals up the path to the empty clearing.  A curtain of lichen hung in front of it.  She took a deep breath before pulling the curtain to the side.

When she looked up, she gasped at her creation.  They were in a large space made of white cement with large arches over them.  Feathers hung from the ceiling, creating an awed feeling of mystical things in the room.  A swirled pattern lay beneath their feet, leading to the same spot the dozens of crystals were reflecting their light on.  The Mira statue was in the center of the room, shining with the light of the beautiful crystals.  It was on a magnificent gold pedestal and the twinkling of its eyes made it seem almost alive.

The animals gathered around in awe, silent for once.  Then one animal called out from the back.  “Whose creation is this?”  Peck felt like she would sink into the ground.  “Mine…” she said weakly.  Everyone fell silent.  “Three cheers for Peck!”  A shout came from the back. Animals around her started cheering, waving their paws in the air.  She smiled.

Then the crowd parted and Mira appeared beside Peck.  “I think Peck deserves a round of applause!  Or appaws, should I say.”  While the animals clapped for Peck, Mira bent down to whisper something in Peck’s ear.  “I am very proud of you, my dear.  You are one of my finest children.”

 And with that, Mira gave a gigantic flap of her wings and flew up into the sky, soaring higher and higher until she was gone.  Peck stared after her with a smile in her eyes.  “I love you, Mira,” she murmured.  Then she turned back to the watching animals.  “I think this calls for celebration!”