Helpful Pelican

393 AC - The constantly shifting nature of the flying islands means that these ecosystems are in a perpetual state of transition. When a suspended fragment drifts, its exposure to the sun changes, which causes increased evaporation of its bodies of water, sometimes resulting in drought… And I'm currently in one of those dried-up rivers. The stones in the riverbed are even starting to show, and the few puddles that remain here and there will be nothing but memories soon. For the fish that have managed to find refuge, it's only a matter of time before they perish. I hear the beating of wings. I turn to see an enormous pelican land near a pond. For a brief moment, I wonder if it's one of the ones that accompanies Nanshe when she visits the orphans… But no, it's only interested in the pool and what's floundering within it.

Fry are certainly easy prey in these conditions. But instead of pecking at them and gobbling them up, the bird opens its beak and slowly immerses it, just enough so that its pouch fills with water. Then the fish and fry dart into it, as though it were a swimming pool. Ah, of course! If the fish disappeared from the islands, it would be bad news for the birds that live here and depend on them for their survival. When nature is cruel, cooperation is essential. It's only in a world of plenty that competition can thrive. It's a fundamental law of nature. The pelican suddenly flies off, transporting its little passengers. It will probably release them in another pond, lake or stream. So that life can continue.

RIN