Hidden Truths

The giant egg that fell from the sky shattered the peaceful life of the Sparrow couple.

They curiously examined the black-striped giant egg that had smashed their courtyard gate—it was already nearly as tall as a five- or six-year-old child. Could such an enormous egg have been laid by some couple in Sparrow Village? That did not seem very likely.

The Sparrow couple took the giant egg in. Early the next morning, they pushed a cart around the entire city, calling out and trying to find out who had lost such an enormous egg.

People gathered around as though watching a curiosity. Everyone eagerly discussed how the Sparrow couple from the south side of town had found a gigantic egg in their yard, but no one came forward to claim it.

"After searching the whole city and finding no one to claim it, we adopted the egg," Sparrow Dad continued.

"At first, incubating it was really inconvenient—it was just too big. Our egg-incubating bed at home couldn't hold it, so we laid out a new oversized one on the floor and wrapped our wings around it together every night."

"Back then, she and I kept wondering what it would look like once it hatched. Would it be a boy or a girl?"

"If it was a boy, we'd name him... um... Yuanyuan, and he could go outside with me to learn business."

"If it hatched into a girl, we'd call her Shasha. Her mother could teach her how to train. An egg that big would definitely grow up able to fly and fight—she'd be incredibly strong."

Sparrow Dad picked up a paper cup, took a sip of water, and moistened his throat.

"...Later."

"One night, I was selling goods in the neighboring town. I was staying at an inn when