Sakura - Japanese Folk Song
It was a beautiful spring day, when I found myself in a land that was foreign to the world I came from. I don't know how I got there, nor do I know when. The last thing I remembered before I arrived, I had just finished washing up and I got into bed, with the cover pulled over me. The last thing I heard before I fell asleep was the gentle sound of crickets playing their beautiful, soft music for the night.
The crickets' song and the comfort of my warm bed combined quickly lulled me to sleep, just like how a little foal was lulled to bed by the comfort of their loving parent(s).
But when I woke up, I was shocked to find that I was no longer in bed, let alone anywhere close to home. There I was, out in a a wide open field, surrounded by tall grass, sitting at the base of a great tree, coated in beautiful cherry blossoms, whose pink petals have colored the gentle breeze that blows across me and the field. I was all alone, with nothing but a simple quill and a notebook as my given tools.
I looked, and I knew for a fact that, "I'm not in Canterlot anymore."
Yes, I said it. I'm a pony - a unicorn stallion to be precise - from Canterlot. Or in this case, I was before I was somehow transported to this land. I would also like to add that I was an alumni from Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. I don't like to brag, but I was considered to be one of Princess Celestia's best students. Not as brilliant or as talented as most of her previous students, like Princess Twilight Sparkle, or even this Sunset Shimmer. But I am still the top student in my classes ofMagical Defense and Offense and Foreign Languages - Japanese.
Though, neither of them are much help to me now, since I don't even have the first clue as to how I got here to begin with. Nor do I even know where I am, or where do I go to get back home.
Well, I'm not going to get any answers just be sitting around here. I should at least have myself a look around and see if there's anyone who can at least be of some assistance, or to even point me in the right direction. So I picked up my notebook and quills, and started to take notes of the local faunas in my current surroundings, while at the same time, chronicling the story of my journey home.
I don't know how long I've been walking. Or how long it's been since I walked away from the spot I woke up in. Needless to say, I'm no longer in the field. Instead, I am now in what appeared to be a huge overgrown forest.
I remember passing some deranged lunatic of a pony who kept telling me about "uncharted terrains" or "wild beasts." But I paid no mind to him. Honestly, some pony should put that stallion out of his misery, or at least send him to an asylum. Because he is just plain creepy.
As I traveled along the forest path, I took note of some very beautiful flowers along the way. They don't seem to bear a resemblance to any of the flowers I've seen from where I come from. I should consider taking a sample of them back to Canterlot for further studies, to see if there's a match. Once I find out where I am, of course.
For many long hours, the forest path become long and strenuous. At the end of the forest path, I had to cross over a wide river, with the use of some stepping stones.
From there, I had to pass through a long, humid, mucky swamp, while enduring a swarm of bothersome Fly-ders that were buzzing and biting at my flesh. Therefore, I had deployed my Bubble Shield Charm in order to keep the bugs off at bay, for up until I reached the end of the swamp.
As if the river and the swamp were both treacherous enough, there was a large crack in the ground. It was so deep, I can hardly see the bottom. I even casted a simple spark spell to test the depth of the crack. I could hardly see the spark anymore by the time it hits the bottom.
I decided not having to find out as I levitated myself across the crack and made it to the other side, where my journey took me to a large mountainside. I was ready to turn back, when I noticed some hoof prints on the ground. They were cloven, and yet, they have a near resemblance to the hoof impressions of ponies. Could this be a sign that pony kind thrives on this mountain? Or could there be an undiscovered race of creatures that pony kinds have yet to discover until now?
Only time will tell. And the answers are just waiting for me now. Pray that they won't be the last of me.
I got hungry and thirsty. Thankfully, there was a river. But just before my mouth could touch the water, I noticed another reflection in the water. Then I realized, I wasn't alone.
I looked up and I was immediately frozen at a sight I never thought I'd see in many years to come. And for so long, I thought they only existed in fairy tales. But there it is, living and breathing, before my eyes, stood a kirin - a creature known for its kindness and truth-speaking.
However, no stories have ever described how beautiful they can be. And perhaps this one is the most beautiful one I've ever had the chance to set my eyes I on.
She stood proud and tall, basking in Celestia's light, reflecting her beauty as I could just vaguely make out her features. Her coat was a tan of light brown, with scales of a lighter color decorated along her back and some more plates covering her face, along the nose. Green-aquamarine mane that framed her face like that of a lion. Finally, when I looked at her face, I found myself gazing deeply into her eyes. They were red. Beautiful reds that are as deep as the ruby gemstones, and yet smooth as the red rose. She is, as I've said before, beautiful! Very beautiful!
We looked at each other for what felt like hours. I blinked a few times, at the thought and the possibility that I may simply be seeing things. But she's still there. And it was right then and there that I understood, I wasn't dreaming. It was real. She was real.
She continued to look at me with the same emotionless expression. We didn't talk much. Maybe I was just too captivated by her beauty, or simply because I don't know what to say. Nothing but a simple hello.
She didn't reply. I repeated my greeting, but still no response. So I decided to try something else.
I started talking to her in Japanese. I remembered once in a story that Japanese was one of the native tongues of the kirins.
I remember greeting her with a bow, before I said, "こんにちは," because it was about noon, when we first met. I saw how surprised she looked, when I said that. I must be getting her attention. So I continued to talk to her more in Japanese, hoping I could get a response from her.
But like before, still no reply. Even in Japanese, she couldn't answer. Instead, she invited me to come with her, to a village full of kirins. I greeted them all with a bow, and said, "こんにちは." But their response was the same as hers.
Maybe there's something wrong with the kirins. Maybe they're just quiet. Or maybe the stories are wrong, and they're not very talkative in real life. However, they are very kind, as they have shown great hospitality for me during my stay. They gave me food and drinks during my stay. But without speech, I'm unable to properly ask the exact whereabout of my location, or where do I go from here. Furthermore, I cannot receive a constructive answer, aside a simple nod or a shake of their head, for any of my questions.
Only time will tell if the answer will come soon. But until then, it wouldn't hurt for me to at least make friends with them. Perhaps more than just friends with one in particular.
Author's Note
Fun Fact: The stories of the Kirins originated in China. In this country, they were actually called and spelled as Qilin. Furthermore, it's been said that the first of these Qilins appeared before the Yellow Emperor, Huangdi, in the year 2697 BC.
Since then, these Asian mythical creatures have appeared in numerous legends, up to the point where they were well-known in the modern culture. Though mostly in Japan, where the Japanese dubbed the Qilin as the Kirin. But no matter the countries, or whichever culture a Kirin, or Qilin, appears in, they are without a doubt, one of Asia's most beloved and revered magical creatures, besides the Asian Dragons.
麒麟
きりん
おはよう ございます。(Good Morning) | 日本語 (Japanese)
Day 2 | 2日目
Unknown location
It is the second day of my mysterious adventure in this uncharted, and my encounter with the kirins.
I still don't know how I got here, nor do I know why to begin with. Nevertheless, I feel that I have nothing to fear from the kirins, because they have been so kind and hospitable while I'm trying to find the answers.
I've been taking notes on their lifestyles and cultures. Furthermore, I felt that this could be a time for me to brush up on my Japanese.
The presence of these kirins are perhaps what had awakened my inner passion for the Japanese arts, languages, and cultures. Perhaps if I study hard enough and refresh most of my knowledge of Japanese, then the kirins would be willing to help me expand my knowledge on other languages and cultures, such as Chinese, Korean, and Hindi. Only time will tell.
I've written down a few basic questions for me to practice reading and memorizing, for when I speak to the kirins. Furthermore, I've prepared myself a few notes on most of my studies on Japanese language and culture. Maybe with the kirins help, I can expand a little more on it later. Then, with these knowledge, I can pass it on with my fellow Equestrians when I find a way to return.
Where am I?
私はどこですか。
キリンのグロブーにいます。Red colored words are the kirins answers.
You can't talk? Why?
話せない？ どうして？
私たちは沈黙の川を飲みました。
ひらがな/ カタカナ
a | i | u | e | o
あ/ア | い/イ | う/ウ | え/エ | お/オ
k| か/カ | き/キ | く/ク | け/ケ | こ/コ
s| さ/サ | し/シ | す/ ス | せ/セ | そ/ソ
t| た/タ | ち/チ (chi) | つ/ツ(tsu) | て/テ | と/ト
n| な/ナ | に/二 | ね/ヌ | ぬ/ネ | の/ノ
h| は/ハ | ひ/ヒ | ふ/フ | へ/ヘ | ほ/ホ
m| ま/マ | み/ミ | む/ム | め/メ | も/モ
y| や/ヤ | | ゆ/ユ | | よ/ヨ
r| ら/ラ | り/リ | る/ル | れ/レ | ろ/ロ
w| わ/ワ | | を/ヲ |
n=んン
particles = を
きりン(kirin)
Kanji: 日本語, 話す(speak), 書く(write), 聞く(hear), 見る(see),日(sun, day),月(moon, month),竜(dragon),水(water),火(fire),木(wood),金(gold),土(soil)
Yesterday - きのう or 昨日
Today - こんにち or 今日
Tomorrow - あした or 明日
Monday = 月曜日
Tuesday =火曜日
Wednesday =水曜日
Thursday =木曜日
Friday =金曜日
Saturday =土曜日
Sunday =日曜日
頭(head), 肩(shoulder), 膝(knees), 脚 or 足(legs or feet)
目(eyes), 耳(ears), 口(mouth), 鼻(nose)
Good morning.
おはよう ございます。
Hello (in the afternoon).
こんにちは or 今日は
Hello (in the evening).
こんばんは or 今晩は
Good-bye (for a long time).
さよなら
Short good-bye.
ビェビュー
I found out later today that the kirins are unable to speak, because of something they referred to as the "River of Silence." Furthermore, I'm in a place they dubbed as "Kirin's Grove."
That's hardly any help at all, for I still don't know where I am.
Nevertheless, I'm sure I will find the answers soon enough.
For the time being, I need to find a way to communicate with the kirins. While they cannot speak, they can, however, read. As long as the words are written in their native tongues.
Luckily for me, I've had my fair share in the study of Japanese, which is one of the languages the Kirins can understand. Hopefully, most of what I remembered would be enough for a friendly word-to-word conversations.
But during an earlier conversation I had with the kirin's leader, whom I learned her name is Rain Shine (Or レイン シャイン), she seems quite taken by my etiquette I displayed when I bowed before her, upon greetings. Even though the kirins have become mute and can no longer say their greetings, bowing is still a greeting they continue to practice.
I think Rain Shine might even like me.
Author's Note
Long ago, back when Tokyo(Tōkyō 東京) was known as Edo, Japanese was just a spoken language. It wasn't until it met the Chinese, in which many of Chinese written characters were borrowed and the Japanese developed a written language of their own. Three systems of the same language to be precise.
There is the rōmaji, the hiragana, and the katakana.
Rōmaji is basically Japanese, written with english letters.
Hiragana is the primary Japanese syllabary that uses a phonetic lettering system.
Katakana is the secondary Japanese syllabary that is categorized by short, straight strokes and sharp corners, and is used to transcript foreign language words into Japanese wordings.
Furthermore, while in English, we would write our sentences in this specific order: Subject-Verse-Object. Max travels by bus.
In Japan, the order is reversed for the last two:
Subject-Object-Verse. Max + Bus + To Travel. マクスはバスをりょこう。
