"Now you can talk to each other, for as long as you live. So, you may have all the words you need, I've given you the human's language. You may not find it a blessing." She walked away and left the two alone.

Leaper turned and looked at the heron.

"I am Leaper." He leaned on his branch, spear his mind corrected him.

"Spearbeak" the heron stretched tall and spread his wings.

"Why did you herons come in such numbers to my pond?"

"It was safe," Spearbeak ...