A Very Lonely Place to Be

Fox was stunned. She no longer had any appetite for mice or berries for that matter. She wandered into a clearing, dragging her paws sadly through the fallen snow. Finding a hollow log on the edge of the trees, she climbed inside and tucked her tail around her, tightly, just as she had so many days ago. What had happened to her?

Rabbit was angry, and Fox wasn’t sure she could blame her. Was what she said about Wolf true? Would he truly eat her if given the chance? She felt much more lost and alone than she ever had before. Why would Moon do this to her? Give her Life just so she would be alone and different from everyone around her.

It was at this moment that she looked up, and saw Cardinal gliding through the air, on his way to his sweetheart, undoubtedly hidden somewhere in the forest.

“Cardinal!” Fox climbed out of the log and raised her voice. Hearing the desperate plea in her voice, he changed his trajectory, and circled back around to face her. Ever cautious, he landed elegantly on a nearby branch, just out of her reach.

“How can I help you?” He asked chivalrously.

“Come closer,” Fox plead. “I need to tell you something.”

“I wouldn’t dare ma’am.” Cardinal responded. “I don’t want to question your intentions, but I have a family to care for and I can’t risk my safety, if only for their sake.”

“Oh Cardinal. You know me do you not?” she cried.

“You are Fox.” he replied.

“Then you know I am new here, trying only to find my way and my purpose.”

Cardinal cocked his head sympathetically to one side. “I understand. I was once new myself and it can be a very lonely place to be.”

“Then you must help me.” Fox called. “Please come closer so I can tell you what I need.”

Cardinal hesitated, “Why can’t you tell me now my new friend Fox?”

“It’s much too embarrassing to call out for all the forest to hear. I implore you, please come to me.”

Cardinal paused and took one last glance around before fluttering down to land in the snow in front of Fox, where she promptly pounced on him, and pinned him to the ground.

“Oh Fox! Why did you deceive me? I did all that you asked, I only wanted to help!” Cardinal called out, flapping frantically.

“Quiet Cardinal. I do not plan to eat you, but the forest seems intent on making a villain out of me, so a villain I will become. Tell me, when you fly high in the sky, do you go near Moon?”

“Of course,” cried Cardinal, still trying to escape. “Although in the day she is sleeping. If you want someone to deliver a message to her, ask Owl.”

“I don’t want Owl.” Fox snarled through gritted teeth, becoming more frustrated by the minute. “And I don’t want you to deliver something to Moon. I want you to take something instead.”

Cardinal went still. “Take something? From Moon?”

“Yes. I will spare your life, and in exchange, I want you to take some Life from Moon and deliver it to me before the night.”

“Why would I do that for you?” Cardinal asked, dismayed. “You have already shown me I cannot trust you.”

“Precisely.” Fox smirked. “Get me some Life, so I can create a family of my own, or mark my words I will stop at nothing to take yours from you.”

Cardinal was quiet, but Fox could hear his heart beating frantically beneath his crimson chest.

“Do we have a deal?” Fox asked.

“We have a deal.” Cardinal whispered.

“Meet me by the river, near the largest boulder, tonight before sundown.” Fox said. And with that, she released him, and he flew away.

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*This piece was written as a part of a series for #Folktaleweek2021 in response to the prompt “Bird” for 11/19/2021.

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-Jessica