The Little Shaman - A New York Story🔊

Once upon a time in the busy streets of New York City, there lived a child named Sam. Sam was different from all the other kids; he possessed an unusual ability to talk to animals. He didn't understand why or how, but he loved animals, so he embraced his ability.

Sam lived with his grandmother in a modest apartment, while his parents, accomplished archaeologists, were traveling around the world, extracting history from the hidden corners of the planet. His encounters with animals mainly came from the rich variety in the city's central park and strays that roamed the streets.

One day, as Sam was heading home from school, he heard a faint whining from an alley. As he got closer, he found a wounded brown-and-white dog hiding behind a pile of boxes. Sam approached the dog delicately. 'It's okay, I won't hurt you', Sam whispered, and the dog whimpered in response.

Sam spent the following weeks nursing the dog back to health, all the while using his ability to comfort the dog and assure him that things would get better. Soon enough, the dog was running around as if the accident had never happened. Sam named him 'Jet' because of his unprecedented speed once he fully recovered.

The bond between Sam and Jet was unbreakable, and Sam's ability was their secret language. But beyond the array of various animals in the city, Sam had no idea about the vastness of animal life outside of New York. It wasn't until his parents' return that he understood how much there was to learn.

'Dr. and Mrs. Lorne, Welcome!' The house filled with joy and festivity upon the return of Sam's parents. They brought with them endless stories and artifacts from across the globe; but what intrigued Sam the most was a sketch of an ancient stone with carvings resembling various animals. The sketch was from their recent expedition to South Africa, and the stone was believed to be a totem pole for ancestral animal spirits.

'Sam, you might not believe it, but ancient tribes in Africa believed in people who could communicate with animals. They were revered shamans,' his father explained. The idea resonated with Sam, was he not similarly talking to animals?

Filled with curiosity, Sam, accompanied by Jet, started learning more about these shamans and their works. He discovered a new meaning to his ability and understood the deep connection between the environment, animals, and humans. As Sam grew older, his bond with animals became stronger, making him an active voice for animal rights and environmental preservation in his city. He used his unusual ability, not only to help the animals in his immediate environment but also to educate people about their importance and the need for their protection.

When people started listening, the city transformed. Gardens sprouted between buildings and on rooftops; bees, birds, and butterflies colored the city's skyline. New York was turning green, all thanks to Sam, his talking ability, and the little dog he found in an alley.

Meanwhile, Sam's parents continued their archaeological expeditions, always finding new mysteries to uncover and learn from. Yet, the biggest mystery of all was right there at home, living with them - their son, Sam, the city's little shaman who could talk to animals.