The Small Stone
Is any ripple of water greater than another? Even a small stone makes a swell in the water It is not I that should ponder its rings and route But thank God that the stone has been cast out. - CKSharpe
A Wolf Named Lightning
Mother Wolf raised her snout. “Aw-o-o-woo,” she howled.
She listened as other throaty howls joined her across Atler mountain. When the gathering ended, the wolves started leaving the cliffs. She turned to her pups.
“Father has organized a community hunt. He will soon bring food back to the den,” she said.
Not paying attention, Sierra looked at her litter-mates. She said, “I love sing-a-longs.”
“I’m sure every wolf on the cliffs loved your howls,” said Montana.
“You howled so good!” said Dakota.
Sierra didn’t know her litter-mates called her “Off-key Sierra” behind her back. But Mother Wolf did.
Sierra wagged her tail and looked at her litter-mates. “Want to play catch-me-if-you-can?”
Mother Wolf wagged her tail in approval. “Wait for me inside the den,” she called.
The pups took off, following the mountain path. The pups run fast like their father, Mother Wolf thought.
Arriving back at the den, Mother Wolf looked at her panting pups. “Come, lay by me. I want to share a story,” she said.
The pups tumbled over each other to get the best spot close to her belly.
