Masako stayed where she fell, freezing and exhausted. A silhouette blocked the light and she looked up: a crane. Not this high on Mount Fuji, she thought; she must be hallucinating, close to death. The crane shielded her from the falling snow, nudging her until she arose. Masako stumbled, following it to a crevice on the cliff where she sheltered until the storm passed, beneath wings of refuge and warmth.
Another such storm, tonight. Masako closed her eyes, knowing the crane will appear in her dreams. In the morning she will climb the mountain and rescue the one safeguarded there.
Friday Fictioneers photo prompt; copyright Douglas M. McIlroy
Friday Fictioneers: Write a 100-word story based on the photo prompt.
It's a long story ... 
Beautiful and mysterious. Otherworldly.
Ellespeth
This sounds like a fairy story – you should expand it, but keep the lovely language.
I love the way this turns back in on itself. Great!
beneath wings of refuge and warmth. What a delightful line.
Thanks. Interesting, I thought, what the 100-word limit led me to, word-wise. Very happy with that line.
Dear Tresh,
You’ve painted a lovely picture. Seems almost to be a Japanese folk tale.
Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Tresh, Good story, and makes me feel it’s sort of like a fairy tale. I love that the bird saves her with it’s warm wings. Nicely written. Nan 🙂
Dear Tresh,
A lovely tale. Very atmospheric.
Aloha,
Doug
Tresh, I agree that this sounds like a fairy tale, a lovely one. We all want comforting dreams like that. Well written. 🙂 —Susan
Tresha, I really like this story! The word choice presents a vivid picture of the events happening.