Once upon a time, there was a young elk named Bruno in the vast northern forests. His parents were a couple of loving moose, who had found him one snowy winter, abandoned and alone. They decided to raise him as their own son but Bruno knew nothing about this event. Since he was little, he always showed a special passion for walking. While the other young elk played and jumped, he preferred to explore the forest trails, sniff the scents of the pines and listen to the rustling of the leaves under his hooves.
As he grew older, Bruno ventured farther and farther, discovering crystal-clear streams, meadows full of wildflowers, and secret corners of the forest that seemed straight out of a fairy tale.
His proud and protective parents immediately noticed his curiosity about the world around him. Bruno, sometimes I felt like there was something different about him. His legs were lighter, and sometimes, he saw himself soaring through the skies in his dreams.
Throughout his youth, Alcim faced many challenges. During the harsh winters, when snow covered the ground and finding food was difficult, Alcim never stopped. His long walks allowed him to find the best bushes to feed on and the safest areas to rest. Thanks to his perseverance and determination, he always managed to stay strong and healthy.
However, not everything was easy in forest life. One day, while walking near a clearing, Alcim heard a strange noise. They were poachers, men who hunted animals illegally. With his heart beating rapidly, Alcim remembered all the ways and paths he had learned on his adventures. He used his knowledge to sneak away silently and find a safe place. That night, as he watched the stars shining above him, Alcim realized that his long walks had saved his life. Likewise, while his gaze was fixed on the starry sky, he saw an owl on the branch of a tree that was looking at him with curiosity.
“Hello, young Bruno,” said the owl. “You have a mark on your forehead that I recognize very well.”
Bruno, surprised, looked up further and asked: “Who are you and how do you know my name?”
I am an owl, and my name is Oscar. And I am very wise that is why I know your name. Everyone calls me “Oscar, the wise owl of the forest.” And I also know more than you imagine. That mark on your forehead is a sign. You are Alcyone, son of reindeer whom I have known for a long time.”
Bruno frowned in disbelief. “That can’t be. I’m a moose. My parents are moose.”
Oscar let out a soft, gentle laugh. “Come with me, I’ll show you something” Bruno accompanied him, reaching a small pond nearby. “Look at yourself in the reflection,” Oscar told him.
Bruno looked out into the water and, to his astonishment, saw that he didn’t look like his parents. Its antlers were different, thinner and more elegant, and its body had a lightness that I had never noticed before. “But…what does this mean?” he asked confused.
Oscar nodded. “Your biological parents called you Alcim, a diminutive of Alcyone, which means Luminous. They have been looking for you since they lost you in a storm. They are reindeer, and like you, they can fly.”
“Fly?” Bruno couldn’t believe it. “That’s impossible.”
“Try it,” Oscar said with a smile. “Close your eyes and feel the lightness in your paws.”
Bruno did it. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suddenly felt a powerful urge. He opened his eyes and found himself flying through the skies with Óscar. The tops of the trees passed quickly beneath him as the wind blew gently through his fur.
When he finally landed, Bruno felt a mix of excitement and confusion. “So, I’m a reindeer… and I can fly.”
“That’s right,” Oscar confirmed. “And now that you know, you can look for your real parents. They will be very happy to know that you are alive.”
A few months passed and Bruno became a strong and healthy adult Reindeer. He met a beautiful elk named Alena, and together they enjoyed walking through the forest, discovering new places and sharing adventures.
The winters kept coming, and each one seemed harsher than the last. But Bruno and Alena were always prepared to face those harsh winters. Thanks to daily walks, they knew the best shelters and the safest routes. Even in the strongest storms, he always found his way home.
One day, as the sun was setting and the sky was turning orange, Bruno commented to Alena in a clearing: “Walking has taken us to wonderful places,” he said with a smile. “It has made us strong and kept us united. We must never forget the importance of every step we take and have taken.”
And so, Bruno and Alena continued walking, exploring and enjoying the beauty of the forest and inspiring many other moose to follow in their footsteps.
Final message:
Dear boys and girls, just as Bruno the Pilgrim Reindeer discovered his true self and the magic he carried within and in that way found strength, wisdom and adventures by walking, you too can discover a wonderful world with every step you take.
Walking is not only a way to move, it is a way to explore, learn and grow. So put on your most comfortable shoes and go for a walk! The world is full of paths waiting to be discovered, and who knows, maybe they will also discover the magic within them.
This first part is just the beginning of Alcyone’s adventures. Don’t miss his next adventure where he will search for his biological parents.