Shiva and the Fire-Breathing Bird

    By Siddhant Singh

    Shiva and the Fire-Breathing Bird cover image

    31 Jul, 2024

    a boy standing in front of a herd of cows on a farm road with a hut in the background, samikshavad, a storybook illustration, Bhupen Khakhar, book cover

    Shiva was different from the other boys in his village. While they played in the fields, he was engrossed in observing animals, always curious about their behavior.

    a boy standing in front of a farm with cows and a house in the background with a boy holding a basket, regionalism, a storybook illustration, Fernando Amorsolo, graphic novel

    Despite his family's farming background, Shiva aspired to become a biologist. After years of dedication and hard work, he secured a degree in science. His next step was an online entrance exam, which he cleared successfully.

    a man sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper with a lamp on the side of it, serial art, a character portrait, Cliff Childs, promotional image

    Shiva joined a research center and soon embarked on a jungle expedition to study birds. His passion for animals and knack for observations made him a valuable addition to the team.

    a boy holding a bowl of fire with birds flying around him and a bunch of birds on the wall, afrofuturism, poster art, Aaron Jasinski, comic cover art

    During the exploration, Shiva discovered a unique bird with the ability to breathe fire and a nest made of gold. He immediately alerted the research team about his discovery.

    a boy with a red bird on his head and a bird on his head, standing next to a boy with a red bird on his head, fantasy art, poster art, Aaron Jasinski, comic cover art

    The bird was captured for further study, which upset Shiva. He believed in co-existing with animals, not imprisoning them. Yet, the bird's unique abilities created a sensation, attracting global attention.

    a man sitting at a desk with two birds on his head and a camera on his shoulder, and a book in front of him, sots art, a character portrait, Chris LaBrooy, official art

    Scientists discovered that the bird's digestive system contained minerals from the earth. This led them to believe that there might be more such birds. To confirm their theory, they decided to track the bird using an electronic chip.

    a boy with a backpack looking at a bird flying over a lake and mountains at sunset with a bird flying over him, fantasy art, poster art, Chris LaBrooy, comic cover art

    The bird, now equipped with a tracking chip, led the scientists to a mountain. On the mountain, they found a golden pond surrounded by golden grass, hinting at the possibility of more golden-nest birds.

    a painting of a man sitting in a field with a bird on his lap and a bird on his knee, samikshavad, a storybook illustration, Bholekar Srihari, jayison devadas

    Shiva couldn't bear the sight of the bird in captivity. He decided to release the bird by removing its tracking chip, despite knowing the repercussions.

    a boy with a backpack standing in front of a group of birds flying overhead him and looking at the camera, samikshavad, a character portrait, Anthony Devas, comic cover art

    As expected, Shiva's actions led to his arrest and expulsion from the research center. But he felt a sense of peace knowing that the bird was free to soar the skies again.

    a man standing in front of a crowd of people in a village with a sky background and a building, samikshavad, a character portrait, Anthony Devas, graphic novel

    News of Shiva's expulsion spread across the village, creating a buzz. Some admired his bravery, while others criticized his reckless behavior. Despite the mixed reactions, Shiva remained undeterred, standing by his beliefs.

    a boy standing in a field with a cow in the background and a full moon in the sky above him, fantasy art, poster art, Diego Gisbert Llorens, official art

    Shiva spent his days in the village, helping his parents on the farm. But his heart still longed for the jungle, the birds, and his adventurous life.

    a boy holding a bird and a basket of fire in his hand with a sky background and stars in the sky, samikshavad, a detailed painting, Aaron Jasinski, comic cover art

    Every night, he would look up at the sky, hoping to see the fiery bird again. He didn't regret his choices, knowing he had chosen freedom for the bird over his career. His love for animals remained undying, making his story an inspiring tale.

    Shiva and the Fire-Breathing Bird