Ai grinned, and clapped his hands together. "Splendid. Then, I will begin?"
He closed his eyes, and took a deep, slow breath. Once he started to speak, the gathered people would notice something strange and wonderful. As he spoke, what he was speaking of, what he was envisioning, appeared in the air, a visual representation of what he was saying - the tale he was telling brought to life.
"Once there was a small child in an equally small village. He was a gentle child, and loved the animals which came to visit now and again. The dogs, the cats, and the deer he saw every day were treated with as much respect and love as he would treat his own family, even though they did not repay this kindness.
The child was treated as one would treat a slave - beaten when he displeased his parents, forced to do chores much too hard for his young body to handle, and yelled at constantly, day and night.
One evening, this unfortunate child happened to be out in the woods alone - his only solace from the beatings at night - and he happened upon a small pool of fresh water. As he was bending to drink, he spied a small bird, dragging its wing on the ground, peeping feebly as though calling for help."
He paused here, and smiled at his audience, waving his hand in the air to 'zoom in' on the story for this next part.
"The boy bent to pick up the frightened animal, and lo and behold, it started to speak.
'Help me, kind one.' she said, for the bird was female. 'A nasty cat has broken my wing, and I am so very thirsty. I cannot get to the pool myself very easily... won't you please give me something to drink?'
Now the boy was kind, as the bird had said, and he readily jumped at the chance to help a creature in need. He stooped to aid the bird by scooped the clean, cool, water into his shirt, and offered what did not seep out to the little bird. Once she was satiated, she hopped off the boy's hand, and quickly shifted forms into that of a beautiful young woman.
The boy was, of course, surprised. He scooted back a bit, blinking.
'Nay, child.' the woman said quietly. 'Do not be afraid, for am I the spirit of this pool, and you have passed my test. I would free you from your torment - would you take this gift?'"
Ai paused here, and looked around at his audience, making sure they were still with him.