Cosmic Roots & Eldritch Shores, January 30, 2021

“The Water Buffalo, the Wanderer, and the Prince” by Sam Muller

Reviewed by Mike Bickerdike

In the fantasy tale, “The Water Buffalo, the Wanderer, and the Prince,” Sam Muller tells of a poor servant girl, Ambha, who can speak with animals. She rescues a buffalo from its owner, who’s taking it to the butcher—an act which angers her masters, who threaten reprisals. Running away from home as a result, the girl and her new buffalo friend travel the land, helping other animals and fantastic beasts on their way, until they reach a palace. Here, the king’s son, Prince Azka, is sick and needs healing; the girl offers to help. This story is part of the magazine’s “Stories for Young People of All Ages” feature, and as such it is told in the simple style of a children’s fable. While this is an appropriate style for a target audience that includes young readers as well as adults, it does not deliver especially well in this instance. The plot plays out in a predictable manner and the work lacks originality and depth. With its short sentences, and a paucity of descriptive detail, the story also falls short in successfully bringing the fantasy world and characters richly to life. It may appeal to children but does not offer much that’s new or engaging to an adult audience.