Penguin's Journey

Poeple's core value changes. What if the previous value was valuable? How could you know if the Penguin's journey is right? Would you be able to escape your current value by changing your environment?

CH 1: Questioning

Where should I begin? In front of me, the ice world of nothingness lies before me. In the corner of my eye, the ice mountain can be seen. “Why is it that I’m walking? Why is it that my feet hurt?” These cannot be known.

CH 2: Wandering

Once upon a time, I have heard a story: the story that sometimes a penguin would deliberately try to separate themself from their village. I, myself, must have done so as well…

I scratched my webbed feet with my hands, and I sat with my legs crossed to catch my breath. It felt like it was over a century of dreams before I’ve done so last time. 

‘Cause I am a penguin, I wasn’t able to sit properly. This made me frustrated. Without my awareness of my surroundings, and without my noticing, I fell down and was laid back on the ground. 

In front of me, the blue sky was stretched beyond reasoning.

CH 3: Exploration

It was such a beautiful sky. Such a contrast compared to the ice world that I’ve long stared at. “Yes, this is why I have started to walk,” I whispered to myself. Little by little, warmth returned, and that was when I heard his voice, “Why that long face?”

“I ain’t making no sad face.”

“Yes you were. The now-you just can’t tell. Everyone will be like that after walking down that long-weird-lonely road... Do you wanna go fly a bit?”

“I thought penguins weren't able to fly.”

“What are you talking about? The wings are right there, just not so strong”

We flew like fools. It even felt like the wings were about to fall apart. 

And then, I realized that there were way more colors other than the white and blue colors.

CH 4: The Loss

Suddenly, I heard his wings start to rip. The flesh and the bone started to come loose. I became scared, but I’ve flown so far; I’m sure I’ll be able to carry him safely. When I reached for his hands, it was too late. He fell to the Earth.

CH 5: A Sweet Dream

I did my best and I managed to wake myself up. I had a long face. In front of me, the ice world of harsh dreams lied before me. Before, I walked away from the village, and I pursued the ice mountain that was in the corner of my eye: pursuing the Penguin’s journey. But now, after seeing the colors other than the white and blue, I have no reason to keep on walking. For now, I don’t want to forget his words.

CH 6: Penguin’s Motive

Where should I begin? In front of me, the ice world of striving lies before me. In the corner of my eye, the ice mountain can be seen. “Why is it that I’m walking? Why is it that his lifeless body is by my side?” These cannot be known. However, I do know that I’m not making a long face for I am pursuing the Penguin’s journey. The Penguin’s journey which won’t care whether I’m flying or walking, the correct one?

Reviews

[Tiki]

I'd like to comment that this story is not supposed to be happy, solid ending, rather an unfulfilling ending where the Penguin forgets the good part about life even when the truth is spoken. In the end, the Penguin further questions which one (the Penguin's journey or the lovely experience with his friend) is the truth and which one is not. This was inspired by the song "The Promise" by Bruce Springsteen and the songs and the life of Yutaka Ozaki.