She circled the blaze several times, looking for any signs of life. On the north side of the barn, a farmer and his family ran quickly to quench the fire. But all of their efforts were futile. The fire scurried across the grass in all directions from the barn, including the farmer’s house. As the wind howled, snowflakes fluttered softly and slowly. Too slow for the fire engulfing the farmer’s property.

Frantically, the farmer screamed at the raven, “You did this to us! You are destroying me and my family!” The raven merely glanced at the man, the screams meant nothing to her. Apathy coated the bird’s mind and she simply flew away, giving no thought to the farmer and his family’s burden. The snow started to fall a little faster: not enough to stick on the rapidly heating ground.

Neighbors from miles around could see and smell the fiery destruction. Help was ten minutes away. At this point, there was absolutely nothing they could do... Except plead with the raven. The farmer ran toward the direction the bird had flown and found her perched on an old pecan tree.

“Please, Raven. Please, save my family and my farm. Don’t allow your hate to engulf my entire world.”

“Farmer, nothing you say can save you from your fate. I will let this fire destroy you and your family for good!” exclaimed the raven. The snow was falling a little faster.

The farmer’s final hope was destroyed. Now nothing can stop the inferno attacking his home. He heard screams from his youngest daughter and he ran as fast as he could back to the house. When he arrived, his heart burst within his chest and the world went black. His daughter was running wildly with fire engulfing her body. She screamed through her burning lungs for the raven to save her. But no help came. The bird simply looked at the young girl and admired her work.

“My work here is done,” the raven said quietly to herself.

The snow began to fall harder than it had in decades. But the fire on the barn did not recede, the daughter was still burning and the fire was stretching toward the porch. It was the farmer’s worst nightmare, but the raven’s twinkling daydream.