Imp

On opposite sides of a round pool there lived two creatures.

One was dusky feathered with small red eyes and big yellow claws.  She called herself Raven.  She spoke often and loudly about anything that interested her.  Her rough voice could be heard echoing across the pool through the day and night.  She was an artist who spent long hours building vast structures from ideas she found everywhere.

She became close friends with the other creature, who made fabulous art objects of his own.

He worked with the same care and originality as Raven, and as well was a graceful performer.  He had a melodic voice that ranged from a high, perfect trill down to a husky murmur full of strange secrets.  As he worked and sang, he moved his body gracefully.  In appearance, he was very different  from Raven, with his serpentine neck and brightly patterned wings, and tail covered with pearly scales that ended in a pleated fan.
This gorgeous creature had no name, for he changed often and hid in disguises so that few were able to identify him.  Raven had never met anyone like him; she called him Phoenix.

They became so fond of each other that they decided to make something together, a little Imp that would represent their combined arts.  Raven wondered how two such completely different creatures as themselves could join their work, for it seemed unnatural.  Phoenix feared that his delicate features might by overpowered by Raven’s loud blackness.  But because they were devoted to each other, they were determined to work together.

After many months of planning, their creation was brought forth in the misty place over the waters between their two homes.  Their offspring was a bright creature with many tiny wings and appendages.  Its dark body was highlighted with every hue and texture imaginable.  Soon the little Imp was moving everywhere with joy and quick assurance.

And when it spoke, it called out as artfully as Phoenix, and as loudly as Raven.  It flourished and became the voice of many things they wished to impart.