"Cat-Owl's Cradle" is a comic book that is part of the anthology Patterns in Time.
Overview[]
Trying to cheer up Meelo, Bumi takes his nephew to an adventure in Wangmo's Island, but they encounter a group of pirates who have invaded the place.
Synopsis[]
Meelo is sitting outside a room at Air Temple Island, sleeping and waiting for Tenzin. When the latter emerges with Raiko and Lin Beifong, Meelo happily jumps up, declaring that they now can go on their planned trip to the island which Avatar Aang used to love. However, Tenzin tells his son that something important has come up, meaning that they have to delay their journey. Meelo attempts to convince his father that he could still help with the serious business, considering that his airbending has gotten much better. Tenzin declines the offer, promising that he will make it up eventually.
Bumi and Meelo plan a trip to Wangmo's Island.
Frustrated, Meelo leaves and comes across Bumi. After the former tells how his trip has been cancelled by Tenzin, the two bond over the fact that their respective fathers had often been too busy and stood them up on planned journeys. Bumi has an idea; he proposes that the two of them could venture to Wangmo's Island, i.e. the place which Aang used to love. As Meelo and Bumi discuss how extremely dangerous this adventure could be, considering the island's natural hazards, they only get more excited. They soon leave Air Temple Island on Lefty, much to the annoyance of Kai (who had not been asked before they took his flying bison) and Pema (who had ordered Meelo to do his chores).
After a two-hour long trip, Meelo and Bumi reach Wangmo's Island, but are confronted by two biplanes. Their crew reveal themselves as Zheng's pirates, and warn the two airbenders that the island is owned by Pirate Queen Zheng, meaning that they have to surrender, hand over their valuables, and grovel for forgiveness as trespassers. The airbenders try to avoid and confuse the pirates, but Bumi is quickly caught by one pirate's lasso. Meelo successfully fights the pirates, cutting the link between the lasso and one of the biplanes. Bumi subsequently crashes into the forest below, followed by Meelo. After a rough landing, the two discover that they are in the middle of overgrown stone structures, probably part of the old Air Nomad hermitage that was once located on the island.
As they explore the structure, Bumi continues to tell Meelo about his experiences with Aang. Though he expresses sadness at his father's often extremely busy schedule, meaning that they often spent not enough time together, Bumi explains that this situation was forced upon Aang due to his status. Meelo counters that he believes his own dad could spend more time with him, pointing out that Tenzin allows Jinora to often help him. As he tears up a bit, the young airbender speculates that this situation might be his fault, as he has not earned his arrows yet. Bumi disagrees, firmly stating that Tenzin loves him as he is, and he only wants to keep Meelo safe - just as other dads do. A bit mollified, Meelo expresses his understanding, but still argues that he would rather have his father be proud of him rather than be always safe.
While exploring Wangmo's Island, Bumi and Meelo find a statue of the airbender.
Following Bumi's response that Tenzin is surely already proud of his son, Meelo states that he and his dad are also proud of Bumi. The two continue to muse about Tenzin's often grumpy attitude, and Bumi eventually proposes that whenever Tenzin is too busy, he could go on a small adventure with Meelo. The young airbender happily agrees.
Eventually, the two arrive at a statue of Wangmo, the airbending master after whom the island had been named. The statue is odd-looking, depicting Wangmo burping. Bumi speculates that Aang might had liked the place due to the statue, as it reminded him of his playful side and allowed him to relax whenever he was extremely busy. As the two leave, Meelo comments that perhaps Aang also just needed to burp, "you never know".
Production notes[]
Transcript[]
- Main article: Transcript:Cat-Owl's Cradle