There once was a boy, living in a shabby hut in the middle of a forest. The boy had no family nor friends, even the hunters didn't know of his existence. One day, a bird landed on his window: "Human, you look sad. What's the matter?" The boy replied: "I have no-one around me, I'm lonely." The bird thought for a bit and said: "Human, if no other will, then I can be your friend" The boy looked down: "Many others have said the same, yet all left. How will I know that you will not leave me too?" The bird puffed it's chest: "Human, no need to worry. I live forever and we birds are very loyal. I will always stay by your side." After a bit of hesitation, a bright smile bloomed on the boy's face. And so the boy made his very first friend. The pair spent every second together, growing closer. The boy found himself smiling more often than not. It was like the sun finally shone her light on the shadow that was his life.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  One day, the boy woke up and didn't see the bird beside him. This had never happened before, so the boy went out to look for the bird. He ran past the trees, shouting. But the words got stuck inside his throat when he reached a clearing. There, on the soft grass laid a small bird, with an arrow pierced through the heart. The boy wept and cried out: "Bird! You liar! You broke our promise! So cruel, letting me taste happiness just to leave me. Bird, why did you go. Now I am alone again." The boy took the body and buried it under the oldest tree. There, he made a final promise, one only to himself. Never again would he trust another living being.