The Bird of Doom and the End
The narrative unfolds in a mythical realm where the gods prepare for their ultimate departure. As the thunder echoes through the cosmos, the hound of the gods, representing Time, grows weary and hungry. The bird of doom, Mosahn, heralds the end with a powerful call, signaling the gods to perform their final act in Pegāna. They create a sign, then embark on their golden galleons, sailing down the River of Silence, never to return. As the gods leave, the River overflows, drowning all worlds in silence. Time, having consumed all, faces its own demise. However, a heretical belief among the Saigoths suggests that one god, Mung, will confront Time in a final battle. Armed with the Sword of Severing, Mung stands against the hound, while the other gods have departed. The battle lasts for two days and nights, devoid of light, as the sun and moons vanish with the gods. Mung ultimately succumbs to Time, but not before delivering a fatal blow, causing the Sword to rust in the blood of Time. With the gods gone, Māna-Yood-Sushāī remains alone, free from the constraints of Death and Time, as the galleons of gold drift away, leaving behind a tranquil void.
By Lord Dunsany · First published 1917 · Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Philosophical Fiction · 492 words
First lines
For at the last shall the thunder, fleeing to escape from the doom of the gods, roar horribly among the Worlds; and Time, the hound of the gods, shall bay hungrily at his masters because he is lean with age.
And from the innermost of Pegāna's vales shall the bird of doom, Mosahn, whose voice is like the trumpet, soar upward with boisterous beatings of his wings above Pegāna's mountains and the gods, and there with his trumpet voice acclaim the end.
What this Textopian page supports
The Bird of Doom and the End is listed on Textopian as a short story by Lord Dunsany, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Lord Dunsany
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Philosophical Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Poetry
- Length: 492 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative features mythical gods, a unique cosmology, and fantastical elements, characteristic of the fantasy genre.
- Mythology — The story draws heavily on mythological themes, including gods, creation, and the end of worlds, resembling mythic storytelling.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores profound themes such as time, existence, and the nature of divinity, prompting philosophical reflection.
- Speculative Fiction — The work speculates on the nature of gods and the universe, fitting within the broader speculative fiction category.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Mythology · Magic · Quest · Good vs Evil · Friendship · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Mystery · Prophecy · Destiny