I’ve Been Hiding

Fox looked around the forest, the very same forest where she had been born and lived her days ever since. It suddenly seemed much bigger, but also very small. She knew Rabbit would be worried after Fox didn’t come home last night, but she wasn’t concerned with that now.

“Hello friend.” A rumbling voice spoke and Fox turned to find yet another creature greeting her. This time, it was Wolf.

“Hello.” Fox answered tentatively. Rabbit had warned her about Wolf, but then again, Rabbit had warned her about Owl too and that interaction had been harmless.

“We haven’t seen you here before.” Wolf continued, as two more wolves entered the clearing from the trees behind him.

“I’m new.” Fox responded, feeling slightly more confident. “I’m Fox.”

“Ahh yes.” Wolf relaxed, sitting regally before her. “We’ve heard of you.”

“You have?” Fox was surprised anyone would have heard of her.

“We call to Moon at night, and she told us where we might find you. But until now, you’ve been no where to be seen.”

“I’ve been hiding.” Fox spoke, feeling slightly ashamed.

“Why on Earth would you do something like that?” Wolf turned his head in curiosity.

“Rabbit taught me to run from danger.”

“Oh is that so?” Wolf snickered and his friends joined him. “And what else did your friend Rabbit teach you?”

“Rabbit taught me how to jump in the air. She showed me how to build a home in the earth, and where to find ripe berries. She helped me learn to gather apples that have fallen to fill my belly.”

“It is good we found you then.” Wolf stood. “Come with us, we will teach you much more than Rabbit ever could.”

Wolf then led Fox into the forest; and Fox, ever curious, followed.

______________________________ *This piece was written as a part of a series for #Folktaleweek2021 in response to the prompt “Awakening” for 11/17/2021.

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-Jessica