The Last of the Vulture

My first book

Recently, I completed a six-week in-person writing workshop led by Chuck Palahniuk and Chelsea Cain. It was an amazing experience. The class reignited my love for creative and unconventional writing, causing me to reflect on my youth when writing was carefree. This is a stark contrast to the genealogical, historical non-fiction, and technical writing that has consumed me for the past two decades. Here, I have a new outlet for my creativity, allowing me to write whatever the hell I want without any restrictions.

To pay homage to my roots, here is a story I wrote in fifth grade:

The Last of The Vulture. 

The Last of the Vulture

Written & Illustrated by Vince Roman

1992/93 – 5^th grade – age 11

One hot morning in Mexico as the Vulture woke up, he had a strange feeling. He soared down from his nest to see Scorpion sleeping. He circled around him until Scorpion woke up.

“Why are you hovering above me?” asked Scorpion.

“I have a surprise in my nest for you.”

As Scorpion was climbing up the peak, Vulture seized him and brought him up. Then Vulture dropped scorpion in his nest and sat down next to him.

“Why did you bring me here?” asked Scorpion.

“I have a surprise for you.”

As quick as lightning, Vulture clasped his beak around Scorpion and chewed him up.

“I’m still hungry.” Vulture said as he came upon a big rock. Then he saw a snake under it. Sidewinder saw Vulture’s rough and dirty feathers, his hooked beak coming right toward him. Sidewinder tried slithering away but it was too late.

After a while, Vulture was ready for lunch. He searched for food desperately, for five hours, then he saw Jackrabbit.

“I have a surprise in my nest for you. Won’t you come and see it?”

“I don’t feel like it.” said Jackrabbit.

“Why not?” Vulture soared down and took a firm grasp on Jackrabbit’s back, then they were gone.

Tarantula was resting when he saw Vulture and Jackrabbit flying above him. Tarantula followed them to Vulture’s nest. When he got there, he climbed up the peak but Jackrabbit was not there. 

Tarantula jumped off the peak and bolted away. Then Vulture glided down after Tarantula. Tarantula had to think fast so he went right between two trees and Vulture tried to go between them but he smashed into one of the trees and got knocked out.

“I must warm the other animals about Vulture.” said Tarantula. “First I’ll tell Wren.”

Then Tarantula heard a hiss and turned around and saw Vulture. Then Tarantula turned and ran as fast as a speeding bullet. Vulture was faster than Tarantula and caught him and swallowed him.

“This cave looks like it would have lots of food in it.” Vulture said.

As Vulture entered the dark black cave, he felt something touch his wing.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s the Coyote.”

“Why don’t you come deep into my cave? I have a surprise for you.”

“What is it?”

“It is some of my sharp teeth, so you can bite into animals. Do you want me to show you how they work?” asked Coyote.

“Ok” said Vulture.

Coyote bit into Vulture’s neck and that was the last vulture even seen in Mexico.