Journal #1 - Creation Story

How the Giraffe Got Its Long Neck

Most people believe that the giraffe species has always had a long, proud neck atop its shoulders. Despite their beliefs, that is not the case. The start of its existence begins long before the creature was discovered by men.

The giraffes had always been part of a large, yet peaceful herd. They were able to eat their fill of leaves from the trees around them, but they were only able to reach the bottom of each tree's foliage. Nonetheless, there were plenty of trees to go around and everyone was happy.

Most of them, that is.

A young, short giraffe named Pavel pranced around the clump of trees that their herd had recently stopped by. He looked forward to filling his empty stomach on the dark green leaves of the trees. Running up to one, he happily lifted up on his hind legs and - using the tree to balance him - reached to bite one. To his dismay, the leaves were to high for him to reach. He sighed and looked around him. All of the trees in this patch were too high for him.

He walked with defeat in his steps towards a small, dry bush that sat a few feet from the tree. Realizing that this would probably be his only food for this stop, he reluctantly took a few bites. The leaves were not appalling, but compared to the sweet, fresh taste of the leaves from the trees, they were boring and tasteless.

After he had eaten his fill of the leaves from his bush, Pavel decided to walk around for a little while. His family and friends were talking amongst themselves, so he would have some time to himself.

"If only I could reach the leaves of the trees," Pavel thought, "Then, I would be able to eat like a king."

Deciding to hike up a tall hill nearby, Pavel decided that he would ask his god to be taller, so that he may eat the fresh leaves of the trees like the rest of his herd. 

-And so he did. Reaching the top of the hill, Pavel looked up to the heavens and pronounced, "My God, I ask that you make me taller so that I may eat the fresh green leaves  from the top of the trees! No taste could be sweeter than that!"

After moments of waiting, Pavel felt a spiritual presence overwhelm him.

"It shall be done," a deep voice sounded from above, "You may have your wish."

Suddenly, Pavel was knocked unconscious. When he awoke, he wobbled to his feet, noticing that it was harder than usual for him to keep his balance. He stood tall, looking about his surroundings, realizing that he could see farther than usual. Remembering his experience from before he was unconscious, he realized that his god had granted him his wish. He was tall. His legs had grown significantly, but his neck was where the biggest change had occurred. It stretched several feet into the air and would surely give him access to all of the trees of the area.

Giddy about his new features, Pavel galloped down the steep hill to greet his family and friends in his herd. They were silently eating from the bottom leaves of the trees, but Pavel ran straight to them, breaking their silence, happily explaining his experience.

They stared at the once small giraffe in disbelief, a few of them giggling at how ridiculous he appeared to them. Soon, they all chimed in, ridiculing him for his new look.

Angry about their reaction, Pavel snorted, "I can reach the freshest, most flavor-filled leaves of the trees. Whether I look different or not, this is a gift from God, and I am willing to use it to its full potential." He reached his neck far into the air and snatched the highest leaf of the tree, holding it in his mouth to let the flavor fill it. He happily munched at his meal.

Despite his achievements, Pavel continued to be insulted by whom he had believed to be his family and friends. It grew to the point where the young giraffe could no longer take it, so he left. He took off in the opposite direction that his herd was headed with the full intention of never seeing them again.

Tragedy struck the herd of giraffes a few months later. A great and terrible storm attacked the valley in which they were living temporarily. The winds and rains of the storm caused the leaves of the trees to be blown away, leaving only a few clusters of leaves behind at the very top of each tree. The ground was muddy and almost nothing green remained. The storm raged on for many days, until the herd became fragile from starvation. The members of the herd were too tired to move.

Pavel, who was passing by the area, noticed his old herd struggling. He saw the leaves at the top of the trees around them and felt pity towards them because they could not reach them. His mind became conflicted as he tried to decide whether or not to help them. In the end, he chose to help them. They were his family afterall, despite their mean comments towards him.

He galloped to his herd and they noticed him immediately.

"Stand tall everyone. I will help you reach the food," Pavel spoke, his voice showing no sign of weakness, indicating that he had been well fed and healthy this entire time.

He reached for the top of one tall tree and grabbed ahold of its flimsy upper branches. After getting a decent hold on the branch, he pulled and pulled until it snapped off. He dropped the leafy bundle on the ground before his fellow giraffes and they happily ate from it. Pavel continued to break off branches of leaves for his family and friends until they were well fed and happy again.

They thanked him for his help and apologized sincerely about the horrible things they had said.

Realizing that their apology was sincere, Pavel accepted it and rejoined his herd.

Up in the heavens, God looked upon the herd of giraffes with a smile. He was amazed by how much Pavel's long neck was able to help that one group of giraffes. Deciding that it was time for a change, God transformed all of the giraffes in the world to look like Pavel. Since then, the giraffes of the world have been tall and strong, allowing them to reach the tallest, most tasty leaves of any tree.

The End.