5
"THE WOLF
THE BEAR
and
THE HAWK"�

This story is dedicated to all who have wisdom to understand the kindness of our Universe.

��Once upon a yesterday, two young children were walking home from their day at school.

��It was a very cold, early February afternoon and the clouds began to block the sun. Lost in the beauty of a mid-winter day, the children decided to take a short cut through the weald(1) along the frill of the village. Along the way they played snow games and had a wonderful time.

��Dusk settled in. The children knew that all at home would be upset if they were not on time for the feast. Tonight the family would be celebrating Imbolc(2). This special day announced their hopes for Spring. The children were looking forward to the festivities of the evening because they loved watching the glow of the white and orchid candles. Momma always made it very special for them by singing songs and dancing.

��As suddenly as darkness arrived, an icy cold wind blew around them and it began to snow - fiercely! They became frantic and ran as quickly as they could.

��The swirling snow blurred their vision. They became confused. Thinking they were running toward home, they ran instead into the deepest part of the woods.

��Rachel tripped. She cried out to her brother, �I�ve hurt my ankle. It�s bleeding. Come, Ian, help me.� He ran to her. She could not stand up.

��As the wind calmed, Ian saw a tall fir nearby. He carried his sister into its protective covering.

��Once beneath the boughs of the tree, Ian saw that they were surrounded by evergreens in all directions. The stand of trees was like a majestic castle with many turrets.

��Rachel, do you feel how warm it is in here?� asked Ian.

��Oh, I do,� she answered him.

��Let�s stay here until the storm subsides. Don�t worry dear sister," said Ian. "We�ll get home.�

��Suddenly Rachel saw two, golden eyes gleaming at her through the thicket(3). �Oh, Ian, look! What is that? I don�t think I like this!�

��As the words were spoken, a lone she-wolf walked into the thicket. She walked toward them slowly. Brushing her soft furred head against each of their shoulders, she began to speak in very soft, wooing tones. �Oh my blessed children. I will not harm you. It is not my nature to hurt anything. I have come to keep you company. Come, I�ll show you how to build a den where you will be safe and warm. By the by, my name is Alpha.�

��Ian and Alpha built a warm den of straws and grasses while Rachel watched.

��The wolf lay down outside of the den and the children became more comfortable. Alpha licked Rachel�s wound and it was beginning to feel much better.

��A second later there was a noisy disturbance through the evergreens. A huge shadow appeared before them. Startled, the children were speechless. Alpha stretched, yawned, and rose, introducing them to her dear friend, Ursy, a more than plump, brown bear with fur as thick as the ground snow.

��Hello, dear ones. I have come to bring you food. My cubs are safe with their father in our den and we can share what we have with all of you.�

��Ursy carried some fruits, lots of berries, sweet walnuts, and gobs of sweet, golden honey.

��This tastes so wonderful,� said the children.

��I will take that as a thank you,� growled Ursy in her most friendly bear voice.

��Rachel, Ian, Alpha, and Ursy had a most enjoyable feast within the Fir Castle.

��Oh Ian, I think we should try to travel on to home,� pleaded Rachel as she tried to stand up on her ankle. �I can�t walk. Now what will we do?�

��Rachel began to cry.

��Alpha howled, �Stay here with me under the protection of these kind-hearted trees. You will be just fine. You�ll see. Many travelers have gotten lost in these woods and I have helped them all to arrive safely home.�

��Listen to Alpha,� roared Ursy, smiling. �She�s the defender of the pack(4).�

photo courtesy of WEBSHOTS©

��A long time passed and the children still felt uneasy about being away from the safety of their home.

��Looking up, Ian spotted something fluttering in the trees.

��Oh, it�s probably just some silly old bird,� said Rachel.

��SQUAAAAAAAAWK! Silly old bird, you say! Humph!�

��And there she was, all wrapped up in sable feathers strutting like a peacock. The sheen on her feathers glowed blue from the reflection of the Storm Moon(5).

��Wh---oo are you?� asked Ian.

��Me?� screeched the bird. �I�m that silly old bird!� The cheerful bird chuckled. �Let me introduce myself. I am Brede(6), the Hawk of the Hunt�.

��Brede was a beautiful creature, quite royal. She had ruby-colored eyes that pierced the darkness. Her feathers were the colors of a Queen�s robe. As she spoke, her voice became soothing. The children became very fond of her.

��Brede, can you help us get home? We don�t want our Momma and Poppa to worry. It would be disrespectful of us to do that,� said Rachel, quite upset.

��Oh, not to fuss my gracious children. Alpha, Ursy, the great trees, and I were put here to take care of you and all of the other creatures of Earth. We are only what we are, humble creatures. Now, little ones,� screamed Brede. �Watch this!�

��Brede flapped her broad wings without stopping. As she did the wind grew calm. It became very warm. While Alpha and Ursy were speaking their farewells, the branches of the firs opened.

��As the blinding sunlight poured down, Rachel and Ian heard a soft voice.

��Oh, my happy children, its time to celebrate! My goodness, that meal sure�n caused you to nap just too, too long!�

��The children opened their eyes to see their Momma�s warm amber-colored eyes peeping into theirs.

��Oh, Momma!� they both continued. �We were in a very odd place but everyone there treated us well and tried to help us. There was the winter wind and blowing snow, a Momma wolf and a soft furred bear, a sable hawk and beautiful trees; then it was warm and it was cold; then it was warm and cold again and it was...�

��Their Mother quietly hushed them, saying, �Yes, my little ones, and your dreams were a part of which we all are. May your hearts remember all that you have come to know of this very special night.�

��The lamps are waiting. Come, let�s celebrate!� said Momma, as she danced and sang to the rising Storm Moon.

for February

WORD LIST FOR THIS STORY

(1) WEALD - wooded area

(2) IMBOLC - a feast to honor the Sun's rebirth; on February 2nd, after Sunset, it is customary to light every candle or lamp in the house. In Christianity, this feast is knows as Candlemas and candles are blest on this day.

(3) THICKET - a thick growth of bushes or small, soft, young trees

(4) PACK - a group or family of wolves - in this case, all of Nature's Family

(5) STORM MOON - February Moon

(6) BREDE - Brigid, Brighid, Brite - pronounced "BREED"

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