This is a story my daughter wrote, inspired by the creatures that really live in the woods by our backyard. Enjoy!
Shadowlight
Woods hasn’t always been as peaceful as it is now. Once, there was such tension
between all the creatures of the Wood—the deer, the cats, the birds, the
raccoons, the foxes, the possums, and the squirrels—that it could only be
described as a “cold war”, for fighting was forbidden by the treaty. Every
animal was wary, if not afraid, of one another. But before we begin this tale,
I shall introduce you to the creatures of Shadowlight.
First,
there are the deer. They reside in a herd of about twelve, with four bucks and
eight doe. The deer are a timid species, tending to flee rather than face a
confrontation. They care for each other and never leave one of their own
behind.
Next
are the cats. The cats, while not as sly as the foxes, have an air of royalty
about them and are truly clever creatures. They number about six, G.W being
their leader, but they are never seen together.
Following
the cats, naturally, are the birds. Many, many different species of birds call
the trees of Shadowlight home, including blue-jays, sparrows, mourning doves,
woodpeckers, and crows. There are also the Hawks, who rule what is called the
Treetop kingdom, but with iron talons. The birds typically exclude themselves
from the affairs of the other four-legged creatures, flocking around the human
feeders to gossip the day away.
Then
come the raccoons. These feisty creatures rarely let their presence be shown,
but when they do, it is to steal another’s possessions. They, although quite
rude and sometimes mean, have a deep loyalty toward Shadowlight that cannot be
matched by most.
After
the raccoons are the foxes. They slink about, never refusing an opportunity to
cause mischief. The slyest creatures in the Wood, foxes don’t bother themselves
with the other animals; rather, they do what they can to learn of each animal’s
secrets.
Unlike
the foxes, the possums are kind animals—if a bit scatterbrained—and ready to
held any creature in need. But despite their eagerness to assist, the possums
are fearful beings. They avoid the
predators, the Hawks in particular, in spite of the peace treaty, because of
the Hawk’s pleasure in flashing their razor-sharp talons.
Finally,
there are the squirrels. Much like the birds, the squirrels love to chatter
about anything and everything, although they have a tendency to be quite nosy.
They also enjoy helping other creatures with the abilities they have.
For
as long as any animal can remember, Shadowlight Wood has been bound by the
single treaty that keeps each of the animals safe. The Silverbark Treaty
outlines the few dos and don’ts of the sacred Wood.
1.
The
creatures who dwell in Shadowlight and are bound by this treaty—the cats, the
foxes, the birds, he deer, the raccoons, the possums, and the squirrels—are
forbidden to physically harm each other in any way; not by talon, or claw, or
teeth, or beak.
2.
Each
must stay to his own designated territory, except for the Moonshine Gathering.
The deer to the woods to the left of Goldshimmer Creek; the foxes, raccoons,
and possums behind the Creek; the birds to Treetop Kingdom; the cats to the
Wood across the Black Path; and the squirrels to the general Wood.
3.
The
Moonshine Gathering will be held once every seven sunsets, in the neutral
territory by the Human Dwelling. During the Gathering, no animal may touch another
with malicious intent. The Gathering will last for the durance of the beginning
of sunset to High Moon in the peak of the night.
This
is where our tale begins, during a Moonshine Gathering in the fifth month.
²
It
was a calm night, and the creatures began to trickle in, in groups or by
themselves. The deer were already there, nibbling on delectable corn that
Mother Giver had provided. Not long after sunset, the cats—Erica, a gray
Mollie; and Schmozy, a gray and white patched tom—trotted in, their heads bent
low together in conversation. The possums came, following the raccoons and soon
the foxes as well. The birds dove low over the Gathering territory, chattering
away at the squirrels, which darted about, clutching corn in their small paws.
When all the creatures had assembled, the Great Buck of the deer rose from his
spot by a tree to address them all.
“My
fellow Shadowlighters,” he boomed, ducking his grand antlers in greeting. “I am
pleased that we all arrived here safely, and I am looking forward to hearing
your reports from the past seven sunsets.”
“Hear,
hear!” chorused the animals.
The
Great Buck examined the assembly. “Shall we start? Let the foxes begin,
please.”
So
the leader of the foxes, a robust male called Darter, trotted forward to the
announcing log, where he sat and observed the crowd contemptuously. “We have a
new litter of kits, by my mate Copper,” he announced in the raspy accent of the
foxes. “We are proud to integrate three new foxes to the pack: Star, Jink, and
Grimm.”
The
animals surrounding the announcing log cheered, and Darter stepped down to let
Schmozy the cat leap forward.
“Greetings,
friends,” he said smoothly.
“You
tried to eat Joe!” a squirrel in the front squeaked indignantly.
Schmozy
regarded the animal coldly. “Really? Says who, exactly?” When the squirrel does
not reply, the tom continues. “I beg forgiveness that our clowder leader, G.W,
is not able to present herself. She is feeling under the weather at the moment.
But, I would like to say that she is pregnant with another litter of kittens.”
Schmozy dipped his head, and leaped off the log. The animals cheered again, and
Shmooch, the head possum scurried up on the log.
“Hello,”
he squeaked, and all the animals quieted so they could hear him. “Nothing new
to report, I’m afraid. Well, Moosie caught cold the other day…”
“Step
down,” a raccoon growled, and the possum quickly darted away. The raccoon
leader, Claws, pulled his lips back in a snarl, spitting out, “A young raccoon
of ours went missing yesterday. Who thinks they can explain why?”
The
whole assembly settled down to raise their eyes to Claws’s flaming ones. When
nobody spoke, the Great Buck replied calmly to his sharp accusation.
“I
do not think any one of us is big enough, or clever enough, to steal a raccoon
from under your whiskers, Claws.” The Great Buck shook his head. “But please,
can we discuss this after all the reports have been made?”
Claws
narrowed his beady eyes, and then nodded. “Fine.” He stepped down as a squirrel
nervously avoided his long claws.
“Uh,
hi,” the squirrel squeaked. He was Bush, the leader. “Nothing new.”
After
Bush, the Hawk leader, Mahogany, let out an ear-splitting screech and landed
gracefully on the log. “Greetings, all,” he cawed. “There have been many eggs
laid over the past seven sunsets, many mice eaten, and many feathers pruned. I
doubt, however, that you all care for the miniscule details of all the birds’
lives. Therefore, I shall not take any more of your time.” Mahogany took flight
once again, making room for the Great Buck as he once more stepped up to the
announcing log.
“All
seems to be well,” he said, pawing the ground with a hoof. “But Claws seems to
be having trouble in his territory. Let me assure you now, raccoon: the deer
have not stolen a raccoon.” The rest of the assembly murmured in agreement, and
Claws rose to his paws again.
“Then
who else?” he demanded.
“The
coyotes,” chirruped a sparrow. “The coyotes did it.”
The
rest of the crowd laughed nervously, for who could believe that coyotes came and stole a raccoon? Coyotes
were a thing of legend, a story character made up so little animals would go to
bed when their mothers told them to. But to have a real coyote in Shadowlight
Wood? Impossible.
“It’s
true! It’s true!” chattered a woodpecker. “I seen it myself, mates!”
The
Great Buck’s nostrils flared as he took in this news. “Please, bird, enlighten
us.”
“By
all means,” the woodpecker agreed. “I was in my tree when it happened, see, and
suddenly the huge dog comes out of nowhere! Well, not a dog, probably a coyote.
Because what dog is the size of a deer and just covered in shaggy brown fur?
But here he was, stalking through the tall grass—“
“Where?” the Great Buck asked.
“Oh,
I think it was behind Goldshimmer Creek,” the woodpecker replied. “But then the
coyote jumped and I heard a squeal. I myself wanted to go to the rescue but—“
Another
woodpecker next to him interrupted him. “Lies, Jumper. You came home scarder
than a mouse being chased by a cat.”
Jumper
sighed. “So yeah, okay, I was scared. But l came back and told Bluey here, my
mate.”
Bluey
nodded. “It’s all true, Great Buck, sir. Jumper don’t lie.”
The
Great Buck nodded as well. “Alright, Claws, you have your answer.”
“Ridiculous!”
Claws snarled, raking his paws over the ground. “Coyotes are nothing more than legends,
and you expect me to believe that one of my own kits was eaten by a story?!”
“No,
of course not,” the Great Buck said, carefully watching the growing unease
among the Shadowlight creatures. “Is it possible, perhaps, that these myths
were based on truth?” This revelation was met with stunned silence. “There are
no giant dogs in the Wood, let alone regular-sized dogs. I see no reason to
think that the woodpecker is lying. What could he gain from that?”
“My
humiliation,” snapped Claws.
The
Great Buck tilted his head slightly. “And why is that? What could a mere
woodpecker gain from your humiliation? He lives in the trees, far away from
your home behind Goldshimmer.” He turned to the other raccoons present, which
were grouped in a corner near the announcing log. “Please, raccoons, set your
minds at rest; none of the animals at this assembly have taken your young.”
“I
believe you,” a female raccoon, Claws’s mate, said quietly. “I do not think
that any of you have taken little Ruey.”
With
a look of scorn at his mate, Claws shrank back from the log. “Fine.”
With
that, the assembly broke apart, leaving each to do what he wanted on this night
of truce.
²
It
was two sunsets after the Moonshine Gathering that another “coyote” was
spotted. This time, one of the raccoons own witnessed the event.
One
of Claws’s offspring, a healthy male named Drem, was taking a stroll through
the part of the Wood that belonged to the raccoons. He was, naturally, a bit
nervous due to the rumors of the coyotes, but felt that the fear was silly.
Coyotes weren’t supposed to exist, so why would there be any reason for Drem to
fear them?
As
Drem was contemplating his father’s anger of two sunsets ago, a large creature
darted in front of him, startling him.
“Who…”
Drem started to say, but then he witnessed what none save the woodpecker had
ever seen. A large dog, if it could be called that, was stalking through the
long grass. Its back was to Drem, but he could see the dark, shaggy fur
covering its thin body. It growled—a raspy, guttural sound—and Drem realized
that it was hunting something.
“Hey!”
he called loudly without thinking. The creature spun around and Drem saw
yellowish, beady eyes. That was about all he saw, though, because Drem was gone
in a flash, running as fast as his small raccoon legs could take him.
It
did not take long for word to spread around. Every creature was on their guard,
but none knew what to expect. A coyote was an enemy that not one animal in
Shadowlight had experienced—not even the Great Buck. The unrest grew and grew
in the Wood, and everyone was jumpier than usual, thinking every rustle of a
bush was a coyote.
At
last, the next Moonshine Gathering came around. There were more creatures
present then than many had ever seen. Many birds sat in the low branches of the
trees; squirrels darted here and there, chattering wildly; and all the cats
were present for the first time any animal had ever seen: G.W, the gray and
white Mollie leader and the mother of the rest; Schmozy; Erica; Taz, a Mollie;
Gracie, a gray tabby Mollie; Roadway, a gray Mollie. There were several foxes
present and at least ten deer. The Great Buck was pacing anxiously by the
announcing log, waiting for all to quiet. Eventually, the clamor died down and
the Great Buck addressed the whole assembly.
“All,”
he said. “I am deeply distressed this Moonshine Gathering, for the rumors have
come true at last. There is a coyote in Shadowlight.” At his words, the crowd
erupted into nervous chatter. The Great Buck waited for it to quiet once more.
Then, he continued: “Friends, what disturbs me even more is that there are
tales as of late of more coyotes. I have been told by many birds that they have
seen up to seven coyotes in the pack, and possibly more. However, that is not
all. I would like Red to come up and tell her story.”
The
Great Buck stepped back to reveal a slender red fox vixen, who gracefully
hopped up onto the announcing log. “Hello, fellow creatures,” she said, her
voice unusually smooth. “What I am about to tell you is just the beginning of
what could be a long, dark time for Shadowlight. I was in my territory, by my
den, when three coyotes came up to me. This in itself shocked me. I had heard
of the rumors of many coyotes, but I did not think that any would come into the
fox camp, much less three. Anyway, they came to me at an unfortunate time; I
was the only one in the camp. They came up to me and demanded to see Darter. I
told them that he was out. The biggest one, the one the others called Mangle,
knocked me to the ground and gave me a nasty cut on my face.” Red turned her
face to show an angry red cut across her snout. “He told me that they number
many and that they intend to take over Shadowlight to rule.”
The
crowd exploded fearfully into shouts of anxious questions at her words.
Naturally, fear was running high throughout the assembly. Never before had any
of the creatures of the Wood had to cope with such a drastic change.
“All,
please,” boomed the Great Buck. “Calm yourselves, I beg you. There’s no need to
fret—“
“Of
course there it!” Darter the fox protested loudly. “Coyotes, Great Buck? What
am I to do? Even my most powerful foxes are no match for the ferocity of a
coyote.”
Mahogany,
the Hawk leader, bobbed his head. “Agreed. None of my birds would stand a
chance against such a creature.”
Among
all the clamor, there was one animal who was thinking rationally. This was
Roadway, the gray Mollie. She felt that she had a good plan, so she bounded
forward to stand on the announcing log.
“Creatures
of the Wood!” she yowled loudly. The noise was silenced and all eyes were
turned upon the cat. “Please, I think I have an idea for what we must do.”
“Oh?”
a raccoon snarled. “You? A cat?”
Roadway
nodded curtly. “Yes, me, a cat.” She gazed upon the gathering of animals, her
eyes glinting with sorrow. “As you all can tell, dark times have befallen us.
The coyotes plan to overthrow us to rule. Friends, there is only one thing we can do! We must unite as one to fight of
the enemies that threaten our home!”
A
shocked silence spread through the assembly. No one could truly believe the
cat’s words. Who had ever heard of all creatures uniting? Shadowlight was
peaceful, despite the unrest and fear. The animals were content to leave things
as they were.
“I
believe…” the Great Buck said, but hesitated. “I believe Roadway is right.
Uniting is indeed the best option. The undercurrent of strife among us is high
and almost to the point of being unbearable. Perhaps uniting is the only way we
can truly be a peaceful community.”
“Rubbish,”
a raccoon snapped.
Yet
he was in the minor, for many of the animals assembled were already murmuring
in assent. Indeed, uniting as one was a new idea, but most certainly a more
favorable one compared to being overtaken by the coyotes.
“Leaders!”
the Great Buck called. “Please, tell us your choice.”
Immediately,
Mahogany the Hawk landed on the log. “The birds shall rally their forces
alongside anyone else who is willing to oust these intruders.”
“The
possums shall join them,” squeaked Shmooch.
“As
will the foxes,” Darter called.
“And
the squirrels,” Bush announced.
“As
well as the deer,” the Great Buck agreed.
G.W.
nodded slowly. “And the cats, too,”
When
silence followed G.W.’s words, the animals all looked toward the raccoons. The
Great Buck met Claws’s eyes. “And you, raccoon? Shall we have your help as
well?”
Claws
glared at the assembly. “And why should I? The mere notion is ridiculous!”
“Nay,”
the Great Buck persisted. “Perhaps not as ridiculous as you might think, Claws.
It was your cub stolen by the coyotes, was it not? Why should you hesitate to
avenge your young? Indeed, perhaps you might even rescue him.”
The
raccoon hesitated, his resolve torn down by the Great Buck’s wise words, then
dipped his head. “As you wish, deer.”
²
The
next sunsets were used to prepare the biggest, most powerful of the animals for
the confrontation with the coyotes. Boundaries existed no more, for a calling
greater than mere territories had aroused heroic loyalty in all the creatures’
hearts. The fate of Shadowlight rested on their shoulders, and all were
determined to save it.
Finally,
five sunsets after the Unity, the Great Buck called his warrior deer together
before marching on to collect the rest of their army.
“Fellow
deer,” he said quietly. “I hope all goes well tonight. Are there any last
things to be said before we gather the rest?”
“May
the stars bathe us in their light and grant us victory,” one murmured.
“Indeed,”
agreed another.
The
Great Buck dipped his splendid antlers. “So be it. Let us depart.”
Before
long, all the warrior animals had been gathered. All the leaders stood at the
head of the large group, which consisted mainly of the males and the stronger
females.
“Warriors!”
Mahogany called, flapping his wings. “Now is the time for action. As you know
already, the coyote’s lair was discovered to be beyond Goldshimmer Creek and
beside Blueripple Lake. We shall move in and attempt reason. If these foul
beasts fail to respond to diplomacy, we must drive them out!” A great cheer
rose up among them, and the Great Buck stepped forward.
“Onward,
Shadowlighters!” he cried.
And
onward did they go. It was as never before; wing flew alongside paw marched
alongside hoof. No hatred or anger was among them, only that toward the
coyotes. At that precise moment, the balances that had always governed over
Shadowlight in the past shifted, and a new Shadowlight emerged.
At
long last, the army arrived to the small dirt cove the coyotes resided in.
There were seven of these beasts, all shaggy and thin, with hatred gleaming in
their yellow eyes.
“Well,
well,” a smooth voice called, and a large coyote, slightly better groomed than
the rest, stepped forward to meet the Shadowlight leaders. “What could this
be?”
The
Great Buck raised his head. “Greetings. I am the Great Buck and these are my
comrades. We dwell among the trees of this Wood and wish to speak with the lead
coyote.”
The
large coyote pulled his lips back to expose sharp, chipped teeth in an amused
sneer. “Do you now? Well, I am he. I am called Outcast.”
“Outcast,”
the Great Buck greeted. “I, and the leaders of each tribe of animals, wish to
discuss with you the warning you have inflicted upon many of my fellow
creatures. You have said that you are going to—”
“Take
over this forest,” Outcast interrupted. “Yes, that is so. In fact, I was
planning to announce the new change in leadership tonight.”
“That
cannot, and will not, happen,” Darter
said firmly. “Shadowlight is not a place for any sort of tyrannical or cruel
leadership. We are a peaceful people.”
Outcast
widened his eyes. “No? Yet how come I see strife and discord right and left?
This is not peace. You all hate each other.”
The
leaders all glanced warily at one another. “Perhaps at one point,” conceded
Mahogany. “But no more, which is why we are asking for your departure.”
The
coyote started to laugh, and his comrades followed suite. When the
Shadowlighters said nothing, he peered curiously at them. “Wait a moment; you
are all serious? My Goodness.”
“Sire,”
a coyote next to him rasped. “Do not let them waste any more of your precious
time. Let us kill them all.”
“Nay,”
Outcast snapped. “I wish to hear this.” He looked back to the leaders. “Pray
tell me; what do you think you can do if we refuse to leave? We are strong,
powerful animals with ages of fighting experience. You all likely do not even
know how to fight.” When they remained silent before him, Outcast sighed. “I
can see that you will not leave, I suppose, unless I consent to leave?”
“Aye,”
Mahogany agreed.
Outcast’s
eyes narrowed. “Very well. Boys, kill them.”
²
It
was over soon before it began. The Shadowlight warriors rushed at the coyotes,
taking them much by surprise. The injuries were few and thanks to their
newly-learned fighting skills, the Shadowlighters had to coyotes running with
their tails between their legs before long, never to be seen again. The
creatures of the Wood celebrated, for Shadowlight was once more theirs. Just as
the Great Buck had said, Claws’s young cub was returned to him and all was
well.
Shadowlight
was never the same again. Even to this day, there has been peace. The
Silverbark Treaty was abolished, for there was no need of it. Every
creature—from the smallest hummingbird to the biggest raccoon—lived in true
peace and harmony. Now, it is common to see a deer fawn flaying with a fox cub
or a cat and bird chatting the day away. Even the grumpiest raccoon’s mood
lightened. For this is the power of peace: that one may give his life for
another.
²
Greater love has no one than this: to lay
down one’s life for one’s friends.
²
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