When salamander tadpole Sally was born, everything was new. Her parents were there to support her, and even though the other salamanders had not yet fully developed their legs, they welcomed her warmly, if only for a fleeting moment of shared joy.
As Sally and her fellow creatures began to grow legs and arms, curiosity and excitement took hold. The mystery of the terrestrial world echoed in their minds, inviting them to explore beyond the water.
One day, all the salamanders gathered, ready to take their first steps onto firm land. Sally was especially excited to join her friends on this adventure. However, as they approached the earth, she realized that she was moving a bit slower than the others. A few centimeters behind, the gap in pace grew until, suddenly, a large bird swooped down from an unimaginable angle. In an instant, it snatched Sally from her feet, and she tumbled to the ground. For a brief, disorienting moment, she lost consciousness. When she awoke, trembling, she discovered that one of her legs was gone. In a panic, she sprinted to the nearby pond.
Terrified by what had happened, Sally hid in a secluded corner and remained there for the rest of the day. As dusk approached and her vision blurred, she could hear the distant laughter and giggles of her friends returning from the land.
Days turned into weeks, and Sally refused to leave her corner. Despite her parents’ gentle efforts to coax her out, nothing could shake her fear.
A month later, Sally appeared very pale. Yet, as a salamander, she possessed the remarkable power of regeneration, her lost leg had already reappeared. Still, the mere return of her limb wasn’t enough to inspire her to move.
During that time, one of her friends Salomon visited her repeatedly, determined to understand her reluctance. After many conversations, Sally finally confided, “I lost a leg on my first day on land, and I’m terrified of the big bird.”
“The big bird?” her Salomon laughed softly. “That bird is no longer a threat. Look,” he said, showing a scar of his own, “I too lost a leg. I was scared at first, but then my friends comforted me and reminded me that our legs can regrow. Over time, we learned to understand the birds, their blind spots, their behavior and we are no longer afraid. Neither should you be. I will teach you how to read them. Even if you ever get caught by one again and lose a leg, you’ll know that you can always continue.”
Though still frightened, Sally felt a spark of hope. Longing to leave behind the confines of the water and bask in the warmth of the sun, she allowed her friend to guide her in rediscovering her self-confidence. Gradually, over the next few months, Sally began to venture out. Soon enough, she was socializing with the other salamanders, and together they started building new dreams and adventures, each step filled with renewed joy and wonder.