Alaiya followed her mother and brother through the frozen lands of Alaska. Ever since the young polar bear could remember the world had been a huge expanse of white, with a dark sky stretching overhead. Her mother called it “the long night”, though Alaiya wasn’t sure why she bothered naming it. Wasn’t the world always like this?
Alaiya glanced at her mother walking confidently up ahead. She had said she was showing the cubs something special today. Alaiya’s paws tingled in excitement while thoughts raced her mind about what this surprise could be. Perhaps it was the worlds biggest seal. Or maybe they were going to watch a pod of killer whales. Or maybe-
Splat!
Alaiya’s thoughts vanished as a huge clump of snow hit her square on the snout. She shook it off and looked to her right so see her brother, Jared, giving her a mischievous grin.
“Oh you asked for it!” Alaiya anounced, crouching down. She gathered her strength in her muscles and sprang at Jared. He leaped back, squealing, and began racing around the snow mounds scattered around them. Alaiya raced after him, dodging, weaving, and even jumping over the packed piles of snow. They both laughed as they raced through the white powder. Their mother chuckled as she watched them but then something else grabbed her attention.
“Cubs, stop a moment.” She ordered quietly. Alaiya and Jared stopped in their tracks. Giving one another curious looks. Their mother was staring at something in the distance, though at first Alaiya couldn’t tell what. There was nothing but snow as far as she could see.
“What is it?” Jared asked before Alaiya could.
“Just watch.” Their mother replied, not taking her eyes off the horizon. Alaiya followed her mothers gaze. Still not understanding. After a few moments Alaiya thought she could start to see something. Something bright, like a star, peeking out over the white mounds. But this wasn’t like any star she’d ever seen. It was much bigger than one for starters. Alaiya took a step back when she realized something else about this thing. It wasn’t white like the snow, or black like the sky. It was something else entirely. Some strange color she’d never seen before.
As it rose up further it cast rays into the sky. Alaiya followed these rays only to notice that the usually dark sky was getting lighter. And the stars were disappearing too! The coulds around the strange object reflected its new color, but also seemed to take on more of their own. Bright, warm hues. Alaiya stood frozen stiff, her heart racing. Jared shuffled closer to their mother. What was happening? Was the world breaking? Was it ending!?
“W-What is that? What’s going on?” Alaiya finally managed to ask.
“That’s the sun,” their mother answered, “it’s rising into the sky to warm the earth.”
Jared drew himself closer to their mothers side, “Why’s it doing that?” .
“Because the earth needs the sun. It’s been dark for a very long time. It’s time for the sun to bring its light for all of us.” Their mother said, smiling at the rising rays.
“Why does it look like that?” Alaiya asked, looking up at her mother, “why isn’t it black or white?”
“Because not everything is black and white.” Her mother chuckled, “from here on out the worlds going to look completely different. I can’t wait for you to see it all.”
Alaiya looked back to the sun and all it’s confusing colors. Her mother didn’t seem worried about this at all. Did that mean it was ok? Was the world not ending after all? Alaiya took a deep breath. She started to relax as she took in the sight, accepting this new reality. A smile even began to grow across her face. And she realized she couldn’t wait to see it all either.
