Virgo's Choice

• Andrew Timms
• Short Story
• 2008

Once, 12 creatures lived on an island. Of these 12, only 1 was female. That female was named Virgo (a lady). The 11 males were Taurus (a bull), Gemini (a two-headed beast), Cancer (a crab), Leo (a lion), Aries (a ram), Libra (a man with scales), Scorpio (a scorpion), Capricorn (a goat), Aquarius (a mermaid), Sagittarius (an archer) and Pisces (a fish). The 11 males walked, swam or ran to find Virgo.

Virgo stood on the West Cape looking out at the sunset in the west. She whispered these words. My only wish is to be with you now...

Taurus charged through the forest. Then he had an idea and stopped. He would give Virgo a gift. Once again he ran off through the forest. After an hour he found a star.

Gemini wondered around until he found a river and thought of an idea. He would sing Virgo a song. He didn’t know where she was but he hoped she would here him.

Cancer was headed to the cape where Virgo stood. He saw someone in the distance. Thinking it was Virgo, he ran to the person.

Leo was walking, waiting for the sun to set. He saw someone running towards him. It was Cancer. Leo and Cancer fought until they plummeted into the water to their doom.

Aries was thinking. He wondered how it was best to catch Virgo’s heart. He walked east, away from the sun.

Libra held his scales. He was a perverse fellow. He never walked towards the sun. Away from the sun he walked.

Very timid Scorpio was. He always stared at his shadow. Until one day he chose his other option. Walking up a hill, he faced the sun.

Capricorn was quite an impatient goat. He sped up a hill. When he reached the top he looked for a tree. He fell asleep, exhausted.

Aquarius arrived late. He asked everyone who had kissed Virgo. He also looked around. Who was missing?

Sagittarius ran though the night. He was defying the northern chilly wind stinging his right cheek. Will he ever see Virgo, he asked himself.

Pisces saw Aquarius. He told him solemnly, “Virgo made her choice. Go see him and he’ll tell you the rest.” With that he swam away.

Ophiuchus writes the end of his story. It was Scorpio who had kissed Virgo. They kissed at the light of dusk. That moment meant everything for Scorpio and Virgo. The 6 that are missing are still a mystery.