"It's time" the voices chorused

I took a deep breath to steady my erratic beating heart. My journey to fatherhood was about to begin and I wasn't going to take the first step in fear. Although my kin were here to give me the strength needed to aid me in my journey, I was the only one who could receive the Cry of the Animals.

Like my father before me and his before him, it was customary for a new father to receive the cry of the animals. My father told me that a Wolf had brought its cry on the day his first child was born. He stood tall and proud while staring at the Alpha and when it howled, he howled right back.

The wolf represented Strength, Courage, and Loyalty. Rare gifts he was ecstatic to receive. Now it was my turn to receive mine and I was ready.

“Remember to show no fear," my father whispered as he patted my back. His words were the last piece needed to solidify my resolve. With my head held high, I stepped out from my kin. The shrill cries from within the walls signaled that my child would soon be part of this world and a harmony of caws echoed in response.

I looked up to see a murder of crows hovering around the settlement in beautiful patterns. A large crow broke off and landed on the boulder not too far away from me. It flapped its wings and I felt its power wash over me.

“Welcome to Fatherhood" it spoke before giving a loud caw. A faint cry which was that of a child from within responded. The Cry of the Animal had been received and my child was born.

“It's a boy,” the midwife shouted

I stared into the eye of the crow, unwavering and I cawed my acceptance; Wisdom, Resilience, and the Power of Change were the gifts bestowed upon me.

It was now my turn to be a stronghold; a teacher and guide for my offspring. To live my life as an example of what I want them to be; Upright, Unbending, and Refined. To set them on the right path so they can change the world for the better.

It was my duty to expose to them the secrets of the world while shielding them from the dangers of it. To teach them contentment so they can work hard for what they want but never too hard to have their spirit broken. To teach them how to fight, for no one was going to save them in their hour of need. To safeguard their light for the world was dark and sought to consume.

I looked to my father and saw my future; a gray man with bent shoulders that bore his pride. Chapped hands and feet from the years of labor he put into providing and protecting for his family. A happy smile that reflected in his eyes from the joy his heart felt.

My job came with a heavy burden that would get heavier as the years went by but I looked forward to it with determination. For upon my shoulder laid a generation, one I would father until my last breath.