English 11 AP

Bailey Farley
3rd Period
The Jaguar and the Indian Girl
The night was clear and the moon shining. A dark shadow loomed over a
small Indian village, the silver reflection of the moon dancing on the back of an evil
creature. The black shape moved quietly and lithely, quickly skirting the rows of
tents, and dreary guardsmen. Only, the occasional tuft of grass made a sound as
the creature moved on, until it stopped in front of the tent of the chieftain and his
family. Soft snores wafted from the tent, as the creature silently walked in, moving
like a shadow. The chieftain of the humble Indian village slept deeply as his small,
baby girl lie in her wooden cradle sleeping soundly. A sleek black figure rose over
the cradle. Just as a low growl vibrated in the animals throat, the chieftain awoke.
As soon as the creature realized he had woken, the chieftain was on top of the
animal, wedging a sharp tomahawk deep into its eye. The animal roared in pain, as
the mighty Indian chief clung to the sleek black fur, now matted with blood. The
creature swept its mighty claws and caught the chieftain on his neck, landing a fatal
blow. As this happened the mother of the child, awoken by the noise had sat in fear
as she watched her family be torn apart. The ruckus quickly woke the entire village,
but as the guardsmen arrived the animal had already quickly fled the scene, leaving
the image of the fight drilled deeply into the memory of the chieftains beloved wife.
Later, the baby had become a young princess named Miraka. Her mother told
her of the great misfortune that had faced her father in protecting her as a babe

from the evil spirited animal. Ever since young Miraka learned the fate of her dear
father, she has sought to avenge him and lay his spirit to rest. Her mother described
to her the animal, and told it as a large black feline, a jaguar, with claws resembling
daggers and teeth sharper than any blade, and the madness and anger the animal
held within its heart, drilled into her brain. Miraka had recently come of age to wield
a weapon of her choice, a sleek and deadly bow of great craftsmanship. But, despite
her skill, Miraka faced great conflict in the sole fact of her being a woman. This did
not hinder her, and she trained every day to become strong enough to take down
the animal that had killed her father and destroyed her mother.
Miraka slowly rode towards the village, her kill from her hunt slung limply
over the back of her horse. She was alone, and only greeted by the distrustful stares
of many of the village elders, and the men of the village, carefully eyeing her bow
slung across her delicate back. The people of the village did not trust her, because
she was a woman, but possessed skills of that of a highly trained warrior. She
possessed these skills after many years of training; she had worked with her
weapon since the day she had obtained it. Miraka leisurely rode along, ignoring the
stares of the villagers, making her way to the tent of the previous chieftain, her late
father. She slumped off, her moccasins making no sound as she lightly landed onto
the grass. Her mother quickly walked out of the tent and greeted her daughter.
Miraka, why must you do that of a man? she scolded. It is time for you to address
your suitors and become a wife. Miraka only ignored her mothers advances; it
seemed that as each day passed her mother became more persistent. I brought
you this deer mother, do as you wish with it. She pushed past her and walked into
the tent, slipping off her moccasins and resting in her straw bed. She had been gone

the entire night and needed sleep, and had no luck in finding what she had been
looking for, the deadly, black jaguar.
She woke later that evening and groggily rose from her bed and went outside.
The sun was setting and she knew she must head out into the forest once again to
find her foe and exact her revenge. She had done this almost every night from the
day she knew she could pull back her bow. Miraka sought out her horse and strung
her bow tightly, gently guiding it over her shoulder and across her back. As she
urged her horse into a trot and headed for the forest, a voice sounded from behind
her. Hey! I want to join you! It was Suno, the young warrior from the village who
had always seemed to be getting into trouble. Miraka groaned and pulled back on
the reins, halting her horse violently and swung around to face Suno. As she did
this, the young mans face flushed a bright red and his prior enthusiasm was slightly
hinged. I-Im sorry. He stammered. My father, he just told me I should learn how
to be a proper warrior, even if its from a woman. Miraka snorted. I am a better
warrior than any man in the village. But, if your heart is set on learning, then grab
your horse and follow me.
Miraka rode towards the forest astride her horse with Suno following closely
behind. She looked over towards Suno who nervously grasped the reins of his horse,
sweat glistening on his forehead. Miraka knew this had been the first time Suno had
ever even attempted to approach the forest at nightfall. She knew he had been told
of what lurked there at night, and few ever ventured forth into the dark wilderness
when the sun had gone down. Miraka had been into the forest dozens of times at
night, and easily kept her composure. Miraka noticed Suno eyeing her
affectionately, seemingly daydreaming of her and how courageous the young
woman was. It was still another mile before reaching the forest and Miraka grew

tired of Sunos constant glances, and quickly drew her bow, smirking as she skillfully
shot an arrow right in front of Sunos horse. Spooked, the horse reared up onto its
hind legs, throwing Suno from its back easily as he landed with a loud thump onto
the hardened dirt. Miraka grinned mischievously down at Suno as he painfully
laughed it off.
They were close to the tree line of the forest, and stopped to rest and water
their horses. Miraka lowered herself and squatted next to the small rushing stream,
Suno plopped down next to her. Miraka surveyed her surroundings; this was the
place where she had last seen the jaguar. It had been drinking here; out in the open
as if it knew it had nothing to fear. Suno noticed Miraka staring off and nudged her.
She gazed at him, but this time he held her stare. Everyone says youre so
fearless, that youre a better warrior than any man. But I know youre scared, youre
just better at hiding it. He quietly said. Miraka stared at him. Was she really
scared? Or was it something else? I know you are scared Suno, you tremble more
as we get closer to the forest. Suno looked at her. Will you help me? His face
once again flushed red. I want to be a great warrior, like my father, like you.
Miraka got up, throwing Sunos bow at him. He fumbled trying to catch it and
dropped it loudly onto the ground, but quickly picked it up from the grass. Shoot
that apple from the tree. Miraka commanded him, and eyed him critically as he
slowly rose and pulled his bow. No. Youre doing it completely wrong. Relax Suno;
let the bow do the work, just guide the arrow and you will hit your mark. Suno
carefully aimed the bow towards the red apple that lie in the tree, shining in the
moonlight. His fingers let go, and the arrow shot forward with deadly accuracy, only
when he had hit the apple, a shadow seemed to move in the background, sending a
cold shiver down his spine.

Great job Suno! You have done well, and on your first try! You will become a
great warrior in no time at all! Miraka gushed. Then, remembering herself she
turned coldly, her face flushed red as she turned and realized what she had said.
But, before Suno could reassure her, a black shape seemed to melt from out of the
tree. A yellow eye glowed in the darkness the tree cast within its shadow, and a low
growl sounded. Mirakas eyes narrowed, knowing that they had now become the
hunted by the very animal she was hunting for.
The jaguar crept forward, its long, dagger-like claws puncturing the soft
ground beneath its paws easily. Suno trembled and stood, frozen with fear, his only
movement were his eyes watching the jaguar. The animal eyed him carefully,
seeing him as the weaker prey, it leaped towards him. Miraka moved quickly and
shot the animal with her bow, the arrow hit the big cat in the shoulder and it let out
a pained yowl. It turned aggressively and started towards Miraka, anger reflected in
its yellow eye. The cat pounced, and this time Miraka did not aim a second arrow
quickly enough. She was swept off her feet and pinned to the ground. Knowing she
was going to die, she laid in the grass accepting what was to come. But, before the
animal could strike the fatal blow, an arrow whizzed past her, narrowly missing her
face and lodging itself into the animals bad eye. The cat let out another pained roar
and slammed its paw on its face, attempting to dislodge the arrow. This had been
Mirakas chance. She drew her tomahawk and sunk it deep into the nape of the
jaguar. It collapsed heavily onto the ground. Miraka let out a relieved breath and
looked at the cat with satisfaction.
Miraka was happy, and began walking towards Suno. She needed to thank
him for saving her, and allowing her to exact the revenge she had worked so long to
obtain. But, something was wrong Suno had his bow pointed at her, his eyes

narrowed and his arms relaxed. Before Miraka could cry out, he released his arrow,
and it flew narrowly past her head. She heard a thump and a whimper, as she
looked behind her to see the jaguar, still alive and again shot by an arrow but this
time in the heart. Suno had yet again saved her life. Miraka began sobbing and ran
to Suno, hugging him.
The two great warriors returned to the village with the black corpse of the
jaguar limp and lifeless on top of their horses. They became heroes to all of the
people, and even Miraka was accepted into society, and seen as an equal by all of
the warriors of the village. Suno returned to his father a true man, and both Miraka
and Suno had finally received what they had wished for, and more.