Bedtime story
Tucks you snugly in your bed.
Once upon a time, there was an old graying wolf named Belir. He lived alone in a hut, beyond a thick forest through which no path could be found. It was a very dangerous place to cross, but Belir had picked it on purpose. The old wolf used to be a great warrior in his youth, and as such, he made many enemies among his own kin. Exhausted by the constant feuds he provoked, one day, the young ones chased him away.
He had been glad to escape them, at first, but as he sensed the end of his life growing nearer, Belir found that he enjoyed less and less his solitary existence. Yearning for company, he decided to befriend the wild spirit of the forest. He called to it:
“Wise spirit, your forest is dark and filled with threat, and I am no longer vigorous. Grant me safe passage that I may visit and befriend you.”
“Return to your kin instead, and I will grant you passage,” responded the spirit. Like all wild spirits, it preferred to be left alone. However, Belir was stubborn.
“I will not. I hate them, for they wish me harm and have chased me away. Let me visit you.”
Wind rumbled as the crafty spirit thought long and hard.
“There will be no free passage for you, but if you give me your sight in payment, I shall bless you with the ability to always safely travel exactly where you want to go. This will allow you to visit me if you so desire, but since I fear you, you will first have to prove that you are peaceful before I become your companion.”
It was a steep price, but Belir accepted it, and traded his sight away. Every day, the blind wolf walked through the forest unharmed, and sat serenely in the same distant spot where he detected a presence, so that the spirit wouldn’t feel threatened. Each time, the movements neared a little more, and Belir rejoiced, because he knew the spirit was about to accept him and become his friend.
At last, after months of patience, the old wolf’s arm was gently taken. But the touch was that of a padded paw, and the scent was much like his own! Belir heard the spirit laugh.
“Old one, you had to be blinded to see it, but your heart took you where you most wanted to be. Every morning, you have walked not to me, but to the edge of my forest and shown to your kin that you desire peace. They accept you.”
Thus, with tears in his sightless eyes, Belir turned his back to the forest forever, and rejoined even with his old enemies, as he left to finish his days with his family, in his village.
“… You’re welcome, bitch.” said the spirit.
Once upon a time, there was an old graying wolf named Belir. He lived alone in a hut, beyond a thick forest through which no path could be found. It was a very dangerous place to cross, but Belir had picked it on purpose. The old wolf used to be a great warrior in his youth, and as such, he made many enemies among his own kin. Exhausted by the constant feuds he provoked, one day, the young ones chased him away.
He had been glad to escape them, at first, but as he sensed the end of his life growing nearer, Belir found that he enjoyed less and less his solitary existence. Yearning for company, he decided to befriend the wild spirit of the forest. He called to it:
“Wise spirit, your forest is dark and filled with threat, and I am no longer vigorous. Grant me safe passage that I may visit and befriend you.”
“Return to your kin instead, and I will grant you passage,” responded the spirit. Like all wild spirits, it preferred to be left alone. However, Belir was stubborn.
“I will not. I hate them, for they wish me harm and have chased me away. Let me visit you.”
Wind rumbled as the crafty spirit thought long and hard.
“There will be no free passage for you, but if you give me your sight in payment, I shall bless you with the ability to always safely travel exactly where you want to go. This will allow you to visit me if you so desire, but since I fear you, you will first have to prove that you are peaceful before I become your companion.”
It was a steep price, but Belir accepted it, and traded his sight away. Every day, the blind wolf walked through the forest unharmed, and sat serenely in the same distant spot where he detected a presence, so that the spirit wouldn’t feel threatened. Each time, the movements neared a little more, and Belir rejoiced, because he knew the spirit was about to accept him and become his friend.
At last, after months of patience, the old wolf’s arm was gently taken. But the touch was that of a padded paw, and the scent was much like his own! Belir heard the spirit laugh.
“Old one, you had to be blinded to see it, but your heart took you where you most wanted to be. Every morning, you have walked not to me, but to the edge of my forest and shown to your kin that you desire peace. They accept you.”
Thus, with tears in his sightless eyes, Belir turned his back to the forest forever, and rejoined even with his old enemies, as he left to finish his days with his family, in his village.
“… You’re welcome, bitch.” said the spirit.
Category Story / Fantasy
Species Wolf
Size 50 x 50px
File Size 100.1 kB
FA+

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