Lost Tales of Ga'Hoole

Striga, with the support of Nyra, had planned a most terrible hatching of hagsfiend eggs. Cleve and I discovered this plot and brought information about the Striga’s and Nyra’s doings back to the great tree and to all the good owls of the world. Ouring our reconnaissance mission, we were attacked by fiendish blue owls who were at the command of the Striga. Had Cleve not been there and used the way of Danyar to defeat those blue owls, I would have certainly perished.
    Is it not possible, then, that Cleve is the Prince Who Is Promised? Both he and his brother believed that the prophecy referred to Claymore—the older brother. But he admitted that Kratean, the language that the prophecy was written in, could not be easily translated. I think when Old Pan said “the big brother shall be the Prince Who Is Promised,” she meant “big,” as in “large,” not “elder.” If that was the case, the prophecy was certainly referring to Cleve, the larger owl of the two.
    Cleve saved me. Without his heroic act, the forces of good may not have prevailed in the War of the Ember. Oh, it boggles the mind and rattles the gizzard. If Cleve hadn’t lost his brother, he wouldn’t have chosen pacifism. If he hadn’t become a gizzard-resister, he wouldn’t have learned the way of Danyar. How strange and astounding it is that the prophecy was fulfilled in the end. He will always be my prince.

Afterword:
Otulissa’s Farewell
    There you have it, Dear Readers.
    I am sure there are many other tales of valor as yet untold in the hollows of this venerable tree. Someday I may collect them into another volume like this one. Perhaps you carry such tales of your own, but are not ready to open the book of your heart to others. Or maybe you are young and your adventures lie ahead.
    However, for the near future I shall put aside my quill, because I, Otulissa, historian and ryb, have new duties awaiting my attention: a clutch of eggs! In less than three moon cycles from the printing of these tales, Cleve and I will be busy with the care of four owlets. It is my greatest hope that from me they will learn the fierce arts of war and the history of the Great Ga’Hoole Tree, and from Cleve, the healing arts and the history of the Northern Kingdoms. Then each will grow according to their nature, and become Guardians in their turn, ready to preserve the tradition of nobility and learning at the great tree, and to protect it, if necessary.
    But there is news more important than mine, something astonishing and unprecedented: The Great Ga’Hoole Tree is itself setting seed! At the very top of the tree where the sun touches its uppermost branches, a great golden flower has bloomed. Soren has named it the Flower of Peace, for it seems the peace we fought so long for has nourished it. And just below the flower, a seedpod swells. The parliament meets soon to discuss the future of the seed. As I write, wise and learned creatures of all kinds are traveling to join the parliament for this special session, for the prospect of another great tree such as ours concerns all good creatures everywhere.
    I can leave you with no better news than this: The Great Ga’Hoole Tree thrives. May you likewise be well and keep goodness and nobility of thought and deed alive in your gizzards!
    Yours ever,
    Otulissa

Copyright
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    Text copyright © 2010 by Kathryn Lasky and Kathryn Huang Knight
    Illustrations copyright © 2010 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc. SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.
    First printing, May 2010
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