"A Snake Falls to Earth" By Darcie Little Badger
0"A Snake Falls to Earth" by Darcie Little Badger is a compelling short story that combines fantasy and indigenous storytelling elements to tell a tale of love, loss, and redemption. The story follows the main character, Nina, a Lipan Apache who works as a private investigator in a world where magic is real and supernatural creatures coexist with humans.The story is set in a universe where various mythological creatures like fairies, dragons, and witches exist alongside humans. In this world, there is a class of people known as "Wayek," who possess magical powers that allow them to manipulate the elements and control supernatural creatures. Nina, the protagonist, is a Wayek, but she is unable to use her abilities effectively after losing her mother, who was her mentor and the only person who could teach her how to control her powers.The plot of the story revolves around Nina's investigation of a missing girl, Miranda, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. As Nina delves deeper into the case, she discovers that Miranda was in love with a shape-shifting snake named Ama, who was exiled from his community for falling in love with a human. The story explores the theme of forbidden love as Nina tries to uncover what happened to Miranda and Ama while navigating her own feelings for her partner, Blake, who is also her best friend.The author uses indigenous storytelling elements to convey the emotions and themes of the story. The character of Ama, the shape-shifting snake, is an embodiment of the idea of transformation and adaptation. He is an outsider who is forced to adapt to the human world to be with the one he loves. This theme is central to the story, as Nina also struggles to adapt to her loss and come to terms with her new reality.The story also explores the theme of loss and grief. Nina's inability to control her powers stems from the loss of her mother, who was her mentor and the only person who could teach her how to control her abilities. Her grief and pain are palpable, and the author portrays them with sensitivity and nuance. The author also explores the theme of redemption, as Nina comes to terms with her loss and gains control over her powers, helping her to solve the case and bring closure to Miranda's family.The character development in the story is well-crafted, and the author manages to create complex and nuanced characters in a relatively short amount of time. Nina, the protagonist, is a strong, independent woman who is also vulnerable and flawed. Her relationship with Blake, her partner, is multifaceted, and their interactions provide insight into their personalities and motivations. Miranda and Ama, the missing girl and the shape-shifting snake, are also well-developed characters who elicit empathy and understanding from the reader.In conclusion, "A Snake Falls to Earth" is a well-written and engaging story that combines indigenous storytelling elements with fantasy and mystery to create a unique and compelling narrative. The themes of forbidden love, loss, and redemption are explored with sensitivity and nuance, and the character development is well-crafted. The story leaves a lasting impression on the reader, and the author's skillful use of language and imagery make it an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.