by Enis Nikci
Deep inside a remote forest. Where sunlight glitters on the rocks near the lake, where trees are as beautiful and alive as the first day they were born, there lives in a little cabin, a little thing. It has no name, nor does it know where it came from, but it knows how to cook and walk, think, and even talk to the animals of the woods. But most importantly, it knows the difference between good and evil, and understands the world. At least he thought so. One day, the little thing encountered a giant Wolf with gray hair, emerging from the bushes, his scapular lightening his feet, his head lowered. “I have never seen you here before,” said the wolf upon seeing the little thing, raising his head. Looking kinder than first expected. The creature looked up at the giant, almost breaking his neck, and said, “But I did see you and other wolves around, hunting.”
“We have to, we get hungry.”
“But why not eat berries like I or nuts like the squirrels?”
“We can’t get our stomachs full of berries and nuts, we need meat.”
“Meat like me?” the creature said. “I have never eaten or seen something like you, so round and small and furry. What is your name?”
“I don’t know my name, I don’t think I have one.”
“Your family? Everyone has a family.” The wolf responded. “I don’t,” said the creature, now unable to look the wolf in the eyes. “But then how did you learn how to take care of yourself?” asked the wolf interested. “I knew how to do some things just like that, some else I had to learn myself.” Said the little thing proud. He gave him a questioning look as he was again aware of the strength and experience of a Wolf, particularly the giant in front of him. Therefore, he says, “But will you eat me, wolf?”
“Your fur reminds me of my kind, only that yours is a Color I haven’t seen before, are you even from this world? That alone is a reason for me to not eat you, you are special. I don’t want to take something special away just because I got hungry.”
“But you are a wolf, it’s of your nature.”
“Just because it is of my nature doesn’t mean I have to persist to these rules,” said the wolf. “You are a special kind of wolf, wolf,” he said. “What led you across this path?” A long howl is calling from deep within the forest. Followed by gurgling, threatening ones. “This. I have trouble with a pack of wolves, Little thing.” The thing said, “Why would your own kind want to hurt you?” The wolf said, “The world is a complicated place. “One of their kind has run into my territory, attacking me.” The wolf leaned and had a taste of the burbling lake. The little thing noticed the wolf’s amber-yellow eyes shine in the sunlight sneaking its way through the dark trees of the forest. “We have to part now. Until we meet again, in another world.” And so, the wolf left, vanishing between oak trees. The thing played with his little thumbs, scratched his little head. His pupils expand. And Just like that, he spurted in the direction of the wolf.
© Enis Nikci 2023-04-27