The Bear and The Wolf

The Bear And The Wolf

Ron Koppelberger

Rejoicing in the wonder of his first kill the wolf found the trappings of a glee that surpassed his wildest dreams. He had been studious, patient and a beacon of example. The aged buck had been foraging for scraps of honey blossom, nibbling at the sweet nectar of the bloom when the wolf pounced. The deer had stood on two legs and grunted as the sleek gray wolf sunk his teeth into the underside of his neck. The wolf, excited by the kill had hung on until the deer dropped to the mossy ground.
The wolf lay next to his pray licking his lips and contemplating the full belly he would have when he finished eating; suddenly he heard the growl. In the distance he heard, with spiritual perception the underbrush crunching and cracking. The approaching sound was opposing the lazy comfort he had been feeling and when the giant grizzly appeared his jaw clenched and he stood his ground defiantly.
The bear charged and the wolf circled to the rear of the large beast. Pausing for a moment the wolf admired the huge hulking figure of the bear, weighing his chances he layed his ears back and prepared to leap on it’s back. The bear let out a ravenous gasp as it sunk it’s teeth into the buck. The wolf paused again and briefly he understood the bears determination. The bear cracked the bones and tore the flesh of the deer easily as it began to devour it’s dinner. The wolf thought, that could be me in blood and telling exchange, that could be the tide that sense and freedom inflame for the sake of the hungry, for the sake of the hungry. It was then that he noticed the wound on the great bear, inflicted by the fire sticks that the humans carried. He knew and he retreated to the far wood as the bear ate his last meal.
The wolf knew he would live to hunt another day and he thanked the spirits for his good fortune and his grumbling stomach.