{"sf1_id":759857,"sf2_id":"k1V8J47m","title":"The Creation of a Soul","author":"Tanuskidoodle","words":1052,"posted_at":"2014-09-23T11:16:00.000Z","tags":["No-Yiff","Painting","Sphinx","Workshop","puppet","soul","spiritual"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/759857-the-creation-of-a-soul","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/k1V8J47m","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/96/20/9620264a-7d10-42b7-a411-c9e30c1f6778","description":"#13 of Writing Prompt Group Submissions\n\nWriting prompt group submission for the subject of Journeys.\nA theory on how souls are created and prepared for their life's journey.","content":" **The Creation of a Soul**\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nA faceless puppet hangs by its strings on a hook in the wall. \u0026nbsp;Nude and unpainted, it's starting to collect dust.\u0026nbsp; There it hangs with no one to dust it off; nobody is there to clothe it, illuminate it, or give it a face. \u0026nbsp;No puppetmeister to pull its threads and give it purpose--to animate it.\u0026nbsp; Suddenly, the puppet felt itself being lifted by its strings. \u0026nbsp;Then, it was placed upon a table under an oculus in the high ceiling, the only source of light in the room.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWhile on its back, the puppet sensed something running along its body. \u0026nbsp;Whatever it was would stop in one area and move to the next.\u0026nbsp; The object moved to its face, and the marionette felt fear fill up its hollow form. \u0026nbsp;Suddenly, there was a new sensation: the puppet could see.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWith newly painted eyes, the puppet scans his surroundings. Despite the dim lighting and being unable to move its head, it can see that its entire body was painted a shiny, clean white. Sight wasn't the only gift the marionette received; it also had newly painted ears. With them, it heard a creaking noise and someone humming.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe puppet strained its eyes to see the cause of the noises. A creaking, rocking chair caught the corner of its vision; and, on it, someone appeared to be working with something in his or her hands while softly humming a tune.\u0026nbsp; Before the marionette could gather anything more, the figure stood up and walked over to it. \u0026nbsp;The puppet felt its body lifted off of the table; then, the doll was dressed in a pure white gown.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; As the unknown artisan buttoned the effigy's garments, all the puppet could see was a silhouette of the being laboring over its creation. \u0026nbsp;At the same time, the marionette could hear the haunting words of the meister's song:\n\n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n_We live just before the moment we're born,_\n\n_and, in that moment, we learn to live._\n\n_We are given life when before we are born,_\n\n_but we have to learn what it means to give._\n\n_Between our birth and death,_\n\n_we travel on life's many roads,_\n\n_and, with this journey's every breath,_\n\n_the souls learn to carry their loads._\n\n_Whenever we reach that path's end,_\n\n_we realize what we possess._\n\n_The seeds we sew and tend_\n\n_and hope that our souls know progress._\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe pure white puppet, in its pure white gown, felt itself begin to stir on the inside of its hollow frame.\u0026nbsp; The doll was placed on its feet by the artisan, and, somehow, it remained standing after it was let go.\u0026nbsp; Realizing its erect position, the puppet looked down in astonishment.\u0026nbsp; Then, it began to move on its own: jumping, twirling, stretching its limbs.\u0026nbsp; The newly animated object looked up to the meister and wanted to state its gratitude.\u0026nbsp; However, it realized it had no mouth, with which to talk or even smile with.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe unknown figure reached out a sandy brown paw and gently nuzzled the marionette.\u0026nbsp; The effigy nuzzled the paw of the creator.\u0026nbsp; The puppet heard something snap behind it.\u0026nbsp; Turning around, it saw that the meister had slashed away its strings with a spare paw.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You won't be needing those anymore, little one.\"\u0026nbsp; The worker's voice was sweet and gentle as it stepped out into the light around the table.\u0026nbsp; The brown anthro sphinx smiled down upon its creation.\u0026nbsp; With her black wings expanded and her long, flowing, blazing, red hair elegantly covering her breasts; the sphinx bends down until her alabaster human face was level with the marionette's eyes.\u0026nbsp; In a calming, melodic voice, the mythological hybrid began to speak to the living puppet.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I am the being who makes souls, and I have just finished creating you, little one.\u0026nbsp; Pure and white, you are now ready to descend down to the earth and start your journey through life.\"\u0026nbsp; She extended her paw once again to lovingly caress the incarnated effigy.\u0026nbsp; Before you go, I want to tell you something, new soul.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"First of all, I am known by many different names by many different souls: Truth, Love, Spirit, Hope, Faith, God; and the list goes on.\u0026nbsp; Although you won't remember me, know that I am always within you, no matter what name you choose to give me.\u0026nbsp; You may have to search for me, and it may be difficult for you to do so; but, no matter where you are or what you are doing, know that I will always be there for you to steel your resolve for your corporeal voyage.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nUsing both paws she lifted the puppet up to her chest and cradled it snuggly to her body.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"And also,\" she continued, causing the marionette to lift its gaze up to her seemingly infinite blue eyes, \"know that you are who you are.\u0026nbsp; I simply made your outside.\u0026nbsp; What you do with your white body is completely up to you.\u0026nbsp; You will dirty yourself with mistakes; that is unavoidable.\u0026nbsp; However, you can always wash away that dingy coating, and try again to repaint yourself with the color of your own positivity and success.\u0026nbsp; Dirtying, cleansing, and redoing; these are all part of your journey, whatever you make it to be.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe sphinx leaned in to tenderly kiss the little effigy on its forehead, eliciting a warm, calm aura from the doll.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"One last thing, little one.\u0026nbsp; Whatever you are I will be there for you.\u0026nbsp; Regardless of the color of your fur, feathers, scales, or exoskeleton; no matter if you're straight, gay, bisexual, asexual, transgendered, or some mix of these; culture, nationality, and socio-economic status, do not matter. You are who you are, and I love you always.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe marionette, filled with newfound feelings love, hope, and warmth, began to glow.\u0026nbsp; The puppet began to levitate into the air as it grew brighter and brighter.\u0026nbsp; Then in a flash the doll became intangible and flew out the oculus at the speed of light.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe artisan waved goodbye to her beloved soul and said a little prayer for its success on its life's journey.\u0026nbsp; Then she went back to the rack and picked up her next empty puppet.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Writing Prompt Group Submissions","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/751364-logan-and-roxanna-revisited.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/767027-six-word-stories.json"}}