“Smile”
It was a beautiful spring morning and a proud vixen mother had laid birth to 3 beautiful red fox kits. She was very proud. The first kits name was Niaku a beautiful female with a high elegant tail, just like her father. Then, there was a handsome male named Hashi. He was very alert and with delicate sharp eyes. The last was the smallest of the 3 and her name was smile. She was gentle, sweet, playful, adventuress, and had the most beautiful tail and ears. Vixen was overjoyed to soon hear that her best friend had also laid birth to 3 males and 2 females.
The next morning vixen brought her kits to go and visit Rosalina, Vixen’s friend. Hashi was overjoyed when he saw more foxes to play with. Niaku held her head hi to show if they played any game she would be the leader. Smile stayed out of the group of fur and examined each fox carefully. She didn’t know there where more foxes like her in the forest. Finally, Smile joined the group in playing a game of chaise his or hers tail.
Moments later, the mothers finished talking and decided to introduce each others children to each other.
“Hello. My name Rosalina and these are my 5 bundles of joy,” Remarked Rosalina. “First, are my two females, Jincho and Manashi.”
“Then there is my three males Riku, Saru, and Peko.”
Vixen replied saying “There adorable! These are mine Niaku, Hashi, and Smile.”
“There perfect, just perfect” Rosalina complimented.
Soon, they left for home. When they reached there den, Smile asked her mother, “Why didn’t you tell us there are more foxes in the forest?”
Her mother replied softly saying, “I wanted to surprise you.”
Weeks past, soon it was a month. The 3 kit’s fur was changing. Now, to a mixture of red, orange, gray, black, and white. Again, they left to go visit Rosalina again.
When they reached the den of Rosalina, the 6 of them were grooming each other. Hashi joined in and licked Manashi’s muzzle. She licked his ear. Niaku and Smile joined in. Vixen smiled sweetly and helped groom Rosalina’s kits.
Hours later, the small bundles of fur slept.
When the moon was barely showing light through the den, Smile realized that she was in Rosalina’s den. She looked from side to side reviewing her mother, brother, and sister, and made her decision that they were spending a night with their good friends. Though, Smile didn’t mind. Picking her self up, she trotted over by Peko and laid her head on his back. He twitched his ear, than was again in his small little slumber. They rested peacefully the whole night.
In the morning, they all awoke. The 2 mothers nursed there own and the other’s kits. Smile stayed by Peko, quickly becoming attached to him. Moments later, they went off to the river leaving Niaku in charge of the rest of the kits why’ll they were gone. They all wrestled with each other and playfully bit each other’s noses and ears.
About half an hour later, the two mothers returned, and again fed there kits with predigested food and a little bit of milk. Finally, the 2 mothers went to rest in the sun. They didn’t notice the giant spotted owl hiding in the tree.
When the 2 adults fell asleep the kits were again in there wrestle game. They also, didn’t spot the owl. As Hashi was scampering, the owl silently flew above him and dove for him. Vixen heard Manashi’s cry of warning and swiftly ran towards the owl. She leaped as high as she could. It was too late. Hashi was never coming back.
The foxes all whimpered small cries of sadness and loss. They also trembled in fear, thinking the owl might come back any moment. Vixen and Rosalina were extra cautious. An owl is an easy prey for an adult fox, but a young fox is easy prey for an owl. Manashi grieved the most. Hashi was her best friend always there for her and made sure she was never lonely. Too afraid to leave for her own den, Vixen spent the night at Rosalina’s den again.
The next morning, the 2 mothers again left, but told the kits to stay in the den. It was very boring inside the dark, cool den. Peko spotted a mouse and in his instincts he had to chase it. Smile joined him and they ran of towards the den entrance closer and closer towards outside. Niaku yelled something about not to go outside. Though, the 2 kits ignored her. Quickly, they were out.
It was a trap. The owl had caught a mouse placed it near the den and waited for a kit to come out. His trap worked. He flew down speedy quick and picked up Peko by his back. Peko let out a small hopeless cry only heard by the emerging kits and bewildered Smile. Realizing what had just taken place; Smile jumped up and sank her fangs into the owl’s leg. He cawed out and shook with anger, but Smile held on tight. The furious owl dropped the bleeding Peko and started pecking at Smile. She slashed at the owl’s throat and he cawed out in pain. Smile fell down about 3 feet, only to land on her mother’s back. Spotting the fallen owl Rosalina dashed towards it, shredding it from piece to piece. Smile and Peko had both started to lick each other’s wounds, to try and make the bleeding stop. Finally, it did with a little help from the others and soon they were all deep in Rosalina’s den.
The next morning, they arose and again started to groom Smile and Peko’s wounds. They were lucky too not loose another kit. After they finished grooming, the 2 mother’s started to question everyone.
“What happened!?! Why were you outside? “Both mothers asked.
“Were sorry! There was a mouse and we couldn’t help but to chase it,” Smile started to cry.
Vixen mumbled something and buried her nose in the dirt. Peko and Smile could tell she was being bothered by something. They wanted to help her. But how? Peko had an idea.
“I don’t remember clearly, but their was a screech when I made it outside and the mouse seemed to be gone, but all I could see was the owl attacking me and hear Smile’s high ringing sharp cries. Then, I all of a sudden I felt this burning pain in my back and Smile’s vicious grrrr’s. Then I think I fainted. Though, after I awoke I saw Smile falling, with the owl pushing her down faster. It was horrible, but then I saw a blurry flash of orange and I feel my ma picking me up and see Smile on Vixen’s back. I was so relieved to be alive.”
Smile ran up and hugged Peko’s back. She was so happy to have such a loyal friend, one that she could count on. Rosalina rejoiced and all of her foxy friend’s threw her in the air and cheered saying, “SMILE! SMILE!”. She was a true friend and hero.
THE END
Posts
