The Lonely Boy and the Lone Wolf

The Lonely Boy and the Lone Wolf
A Fable by Lykanos Wulfheart
     
      The wind roared, cold and bitter, as the young boy pushed his way through the thick brush of the woods. Cold and bitter he was used to, as that's exactly how his day was going, but he pushed on, nonetheless. He didn't entirely know the way, but he had a good idea. Though he had heard the howls many a night, the townspeople were more than eager to point him in the right direction to die.
     
      Eventually the path cleared and he could see the thin trail worn through the grass. To himself, the boy figured this must be the way the wolf took every time he attacked the sheep in the fields. After a few minutes more, he had his answer. The parted growth gave way to dirt as he came upon the cave opening. The lair was cut into the side of a hill and covered by a few small trees. As the child, no more than thirteen years of age, approached the gaping maw of stone, he knew he was in the right spot. Though he had to gently lean to enter, he could already see the discarded bones of his flock.
     
      Making his way in, he stopped where the small chamber opened. Looking around, he saw the scattered remains of wool, bone, rocks, dirt, and, on the far side, the wolf he had come for. Steeling himself, the youth spoke. "Excuse me, Mr. Wolf. If I could have a moment of your time?"
     
      Awoken from his slumber, the startled beast growled, "Who dares enter my den uninvited? Flee now, or die where you stand."
     
      "I just ask a moment of your time, sir," insisted the boy. "After that, you can eat me if you so desire. Sadly, it matters not."
     
      Amused by the audacity of this puny invader, the mighty wolf laughed, his timber coat of browns and greys swaying in the still air. "Is your life really so meaningless that you would forfeit it so freely? If that is your wish, then by all means. I can spare a few minutes for a lunch so freely given."
     
      "Sadly, oh great beast, it seems to be," stated the kid, as callously as he could. "My flock has been taken from me and that has left me with little else."
     
      "And you blame me?" retorted the canine.
     
      "No." The child's answer shocked the wolf, as it brought with it a genuine calmness. Confused, yet suddenly intrigued, the large lupine had to know. "So then tell me. Who is the source of your sorrows?"
     
      Lowering his eyes to the ground, the young man spoke with a cold flatness that matched his temperament. "It is the townspeople I blame."
     
      With renewed vigor, the master of the cave let out a hearty laugh, echoing through his rocky home. "You don't blame me, the one who ate your charges, yet you blame your fellow man? Why? For not killing me when they had their chance?" The last of the words had a snide bite that made the youngster flinch.
     
      Seeing this, the proud predator smirked. "That's it, isn't it?"
     
      "Not entirely," his pint-sized prey pointed out. "There's far more to it." Sitting down, the boy could see just how much he was starting to impress the wolf. "As you know, I live just outside the village. All I owned was a small field, a tiny hut, and a flock of sheep. I was all on my own in this. No friends. No family. Just me and my sheep."
     
      With a nod, the monster before him continued to listen. "The townspeople, they relied on the wool I sold to make their wares. Though I made a meager amount compared to what they sold it for, I held no ill will. I made enough to eat and take care of my flock. I had figured the friendships were worth it. I helped them, and they kept me going. Everyone was happy."
     
      Flopping back down and resting on his head on his paws, the burly beast huffed. "You don't look too happy to me, child."
     
      The boy followed suit. Putting his elbows on his crossed legs and with his chin resting in his hands, he sighed. "You're right. When my sheep started to disappear, I grew worried. At first I thought them lost, so I looked. When I saw the blood, I knew what was happening. That some animal, no offense, was taking them."
     
      With a hearty chuckle and a toothy grin, the wolf replied, "None taken. All of us animals have to eat. You humans have your grains and fruits, but, similar to you, some of us have to dine on meat." With a flash of is fangs, the feral behemoth settled back down. "Sadly, I know woes as well. This forest is not as full of prey as I would have liked. I've had to resort to dining on livestock, namely yours. For this, I do not apologize. Though, I'll have you know that it was not my first choice."
     
      Unflinching, the boy nodded. "Like I said, I hold no ill will toward you. But, now that I know your trouble, the next part makes more sense."
     
      With a curious tilt of the head, the comfy canine listened intently to what the child of man had to say. The boy continued after a gentle sway to reposition himself. "I started trying to figure out what was stealing my sheep. Every few nights, I'd hear you howl. A sad, lonely howl." The wolf scoffed as the kid talked. "I went to the village to seek help. I thought, 'Surely since they are my friends and need the wool, they will help me.' As it turns out, I was wrong."
     
      After a long sigh of disproval, he started again. "They told me that since I was a man, I should fight the beast myself. Despite my low wage, they would not assist me in my time of need. I was hurt, but I was not about to give up. I waited. I listened. Every few nights I heard your howl. I took it as a promise. One sheep. Only ever one sheep. I learned that I could trust you more than I could them."
     
      Tilting his feral frame in a courteous bow, the wolf was pleased. "A promise it was. I have no use for killing more than my share. One sheep lasts a while if protected, and I am the largest carnivore in this land!" A wag of the tail showed how happy he was for a chance to boast. It had been a long time since he had anyone to show off for, and he was realizing just how much he missed it.
     
      "That you are, Mr. Wolf," stated the boy. "Since I had no weapons and nowhere to house my sheep, all I could do was watch them slip away. I tried to buy traps and build a fence, but when I raised my prices, the townspeople were furious. The one's I thought were my friends had nothing but anger towards me. Beaten down by them, I almost started looking forward to your visit."
     
      With a boom, the great wolf filled his den with laughter once again. "It almost sounds like you wanted me to eat your sheep!"
     
      "Well," said the kid as he stood up and brushed himself off. "You had become my one friend. The one I could rely on. Every night I heard your sad song, I knew I could catch a glimpse. As much as it pained me to see you take a sheep, I knew there was nothing I could do. If I tried to shoo you off, I knew I would be the one taken. As you well know, that wouldn't have been good for either of us."
     
      The sudden turn of emotion left the wolf reeling. He had seen the boy watching him some nights, not knowing what the human was planning. He had always wondered if it was going to be an easy meal or his last night roaming the deserted woodlands. He almost felt sorry for the boy. Not in eating his livestock, but in their mutual struggle. Both were on their own. Both outsiders looking to make a life in a miserable part of the world. Both longing for more.
     
      The boy broke the silence once again. "So, after my flock was gone, the villagers were furious. They cursed me for ruining their livelihood. Even took my land and my house. They said that since I was merely a boy, not a proper man, I had no rights to the property. Seems when I was providing their wealth, I was a man and a landowner. As soon as that ended, I was simply some child wandering through their world."
     
      Wolf's heart sank. How could the humans do that to one of their own? The boy, while unable to protect the sheep himself, should have easily been able to draw on the support of his human pack. His neighbors. His friends. "How could they do such a cruel thing?" snarled the canine. "They would just turn their backs on a pup? On a fellow pack-mate? You provided for them!" Flattening his ears, he slunk back down. His dinner had had it rough. "And so this is why you have come here? To end the sorrow and misery?"
     
      "Not exactly." The boy paused for what seemed an eternity as he tried to wrap his head around the emotions of the day. "Since I had nothing left to offer them, save that I had a general idea of where you lived, they sent me out here on a mission."
     
      The broody beast rose up, not knowing whether to expect an attack or a sacrifice. "And that was?"
     
      With an air of woe and regret, the child stated sadly, "I was to kill you or die trying. Neither of which is why I'm here."
     
      "And why are you here?" The reply had a sharpness to it that let the boy know that his host was ready to rip him apart at a moment's notice.
     
      Locking eyes with the behemoth, the boy was suddenly calm and collected. "I came here today not for them, but for myself. I honestly don't like it here, and without my sheep, I thought maybe, just maybe, you didn't like it here so much either. If you want to eat me now, that's fine. I know I deserve it, walking into your cave and boring you with my tale of woes. However, if you don't mind a little company..." The boy began to tear up, but continued all the same. "I wouldn't mind a change of scenery. Maybe a little farm somewhere a little less sad. Somewhere with a friend to help me look out for the animals. A flock big enough to feed the both of us? If you wouldn't mind helping me out, that is. I know I've done nothing to earn your friendship, but..."
     
      The kid closed his eyes, tears streaming. He knew this was it. It was time for him to die. He was ready and he could hear the wolf moving closer, right in front of him. The boy didn't flinch. He had promised to be dinner and he was a man of his word.
     
      There was a brief tap at the bottom of his jaw. Then another. Opening his eyes, the hulking monstrosity was right in front of him, wolfish grin gleaming.
     
      This is where the story changes. Based on who you ask, the end is different. Some villagers say that the wolf ate the boy without a second thought. Others say that the child managed to kill the creature but died shortly after from his wounds. There is only one thing the townsfolk agree on. The young man was never seen again.
     
      "You know what I think?" Leaning forward in his seat, the middle-aged man looked out at his animals thoughtfully. "I like to think that the lonely boy and the lone wolf found a mutual kinship in that cave. In my version, the two of them leave that depressing patch of land and strike out on an adventure together, finding a nice pasture where they start raising all sorts of livestock. Chickens, cows, and yes, even sheep. The boy didn't have to worry about things eating his flock. The wolf had all the critters and meat he could handle. In my story, the two of them become friends. Companions. Keeping each other company until the end of their days."
     
      With a genuine smile, the man reached over and scratched between the ears of his grizzled old canine. "Isn't that right, bud?" The big, grey-muzzled wolf huffed happily, nodding in agreement.