Eunice+Jang's+Myth

The Selfish Prayers of the Ostriches

In the very beginning of the world, most of the animals had different form: elephants had smaller ears and giraffes had shorter necks and legs. Ostriches also looked very different from what they do today. During that time, Ostriches were the kings of the sky. They flew the fastest and highest. With their two big and light wings and short necks and legs, they could fly and catch animals. Every flying animal could not dare to challenge the ostriches. Once Ostriches became the king of the sky, they also wanted to be the kings of the land. SInce that day, they started to practice running everyday and night. They promised to themselves that they wouldn't fly again, until they became the fastest among the land animals. But as their legs were too short that they made the ostriches fall and slowed them down, they couldn't run quickly.

One day, the Ostriches decided to ask a God for longer and stronger legs. Their prayers were so desperate that God decided to give ostriches longer and stronger legs. Since then, ostriches could run faster than other land animals. Soon, ostriches dominated over land animals and finally became the kings of the land. Once they had become the fastest among the land animals, they wanted to fly again. But they could not. As they had not flown for a long time, they forgot how to fly and their legs weighed too much. Thus, ostriches regretted their selfish choice, but they still could not fly again.