Writing | Keesho Bird

 “Grab a basket, slowpoke, these peaches will not pick themselves,” Clyde said while tossing a basket towards Fledge… followed by Fledge throwing a peach at Clyde.

“If these peaches did pick themselves then we could have the day off, which is most needed, honestly, and we could be eating that sweet, sweet mushroom soup and listen to more tales about past Crystalmuffinsday’s,” Fledge replied. He loved Crystalmuffinsday. “It does not surprise me one bit that you would be thinking about food right after eating a big breakfast. And mushroom soup of all the things? In this heat? Come on man! You would eat anything, even rotten peaches; moldy, nasty, bad peaches.” Clyde replied while laughing. “I would, yes sir, and I wouldn’t think twice about it!” Fledge responded with a wide smile, knowing the thought of eating moldy peaches was quite repulsing - but he loved to tease his brother. While taking a big bite out of a peach, Fledge asked Clyde, “Are you going to enter the peach pudding eating contest this year?” “Have I ever?” Clyde asked in response. “No, but this could be the year! After all, now that we are eighteen, we are officially eligible to participate in the pig chase… meaning that I could take home the quadruple crown!” Clyde said as he puffed out his chest and took a rather heroic pose. Fledge normally wins the eating contest; he always has the best bird costume, and always wins the “most holiday cheer” award. “I am glad that this is a big year for you.” “Come on man! You won’t even pig chase with your brother?” Fledge questioned. “The thought of an entire village chasing hundreds of pigs around for an hour gives me anxiety,” Clyde joked. “Besides, mom said that they did not actually chase a pig on the first-ever Crystalmuffinsday.” Fledge was quick to note that “it was Keesho who chased the pig!” Koa, returning from fetching some water for the three asked “Who is Keesho, if you don’t mind.” “Mr. Holiday spirit will tell you,” Clyde teased. “Keesho is said to be a giant bird that’s, like, thousands of years old who sits atop the mountain, and gave birth to Heartwood Village when it brought the water down and created a river to feed the pale peach trees along the foot of the mountain.” “I love origin stories!” Koa exclaimed. Clyde rolled his eyes. He never thought too much about things outside of the village. “Still, the only thing I am doing this year is wearing my bird costume and decorating our family Erstwhile Pole.” “Woodcarving?! That’s the most boring part of the entire weekend!” Fledge exclaimed in shock as he slapped his forehead and fell backwards into the tall grass. “I am so glad that you are not dramatic or anything,” Clyde said sarcastically as him and Koa laughed and returned to peach picking.