The secret oasis is a gleaming pool of pure water, surrounded by a smattering of green shrubbery and palm trees. Exotic insects fly about, and the sparse amounts of local fauna mull around after traveling for miles to drink and rest. The greenery sits in stark contrast to the vast desert surrounding it.
Secret Oasis, Desert
insects
dove
I am a dove. I live in a dovecote in the palace.  The king or other people take me with them when they travel far from home, and use me to help them communicate while they are away. Many peace treaties and other important documents have been tied around my leg, to be carried back to the palace.
"Ah, little bug, you're lucky that I'm so full, or I'd be hunting for you" Oh, no no no...you don't want to eat me...I'm full of poison...you must not be from around here or you would know.  That's why I eat other bugs and they can't eat me.   "Ah, poison! I've eaten other bugs here, how would I know if they were poisonous?" I guess you are safe because you would be dead immediately!  I can show you what I like to eat.  What has brought you here? "I'm taking a short break on my flight home. The water here is so pure, I've been refreshed!" Where is home for you?  Just be careful to not try and eat these shiny hard things...they are bitter! "The castle, I'm in the service of the king" What is a castle?  what is a king?  Can you eat them? "A castle is a big stone building, and a king is an important human. You can't eat castles, but I suppose you could eat a king, if you tried hard enough. We don't, though." Sounds like a nice place.  You can eat any bug you want there?  Maybe I would like to go. "We don't even have to hunt, we get fed every day. You could come back with me, I could get you fed for your help. These papers on my leg are very important, you know." I would love to come but I worry.  I am guarding these shiny things for another creature like you and he promised to come back but never did. 