F09: Bravery of the fox

Bravery of the Fox

Or

Conrads' True Biography As It Supposedly Shall Be Written Down In The History Books.


There once was a fox
So handsome and neat
So tall and so Striking
Courageous but sweet

'Cross country and land
'Cross ocean and hills
'Cross deserts and sand
'Cross snow covered mountains
That'd give you the chills

Below and above
Beyond all of this
The fox had risked
The life that was his

For to save the fair maiden
Or the son of a slave
His own life the fox
Would with haste give away

He was truly a marvel
The young vulpine so brave
He left all he past
Stunned and in awe


Now, as he approached
A clearing so green
He saw down the grass
Something red in the scene

He got quite confused
By the grass coloured red
But of course not afraid
He never felt dread

So he advanced to the sight
And bent down and saw
And drew for his breath
And put his hand to his jaw

For face down in the grass
The most beautiful he'd seen
A vixen deep red
In this haven of green

He turned her around
And softly spoke
When from the forest he heard
Shouts and screams of furious folk

So he lifted her up
And straightened his back
And with her in his arms
He valiantly
Awaited the attack

And out from the forest
Maybe thirty or so
The greatest of wolves
All growling low

The biggest of them all
Broke the line and marched towards
The fox and his protégée
And spoke
In the lowest of chords

"Little weakling oh so small
Little cat-like half-hand tall
Bow down to me and crawl
And drop that flea-bag or you'll fall!"

But the fox moved not an inch
(He didn't even flinch)
He only narrowed his eyes
And with his voice on the fringe
He said

"Back away
And I will let you live
You beasts all dirty and grey
Your life I to you give!
So back away
Back away
Back away
Back away!"

And the leader of the wolves
Fell to his knees
And looked to the ground
And slowly advanced for the trees

And the fox looked to others
Shaking out of fear
With his gaze fixed on their
They fled, eye in tear

Now, he laid the vixen down
And rocked her side to side
Until she slowly awoke
And looked at him and sighed

Then she looked around
All of a sudden struck with fear
But when nothing could be heard
She turned to the fox, her eyes now filled with tears

But he only smiled at her
And then she just knew
That this, the most striking fox
His soul was brave and true

"You saved me from the wolves" she said,
Her voice as soft as her fur
"I love you more then anything!"
She said, her speech steady and sure

She rose up from the ground
Her eyes set on his
She reached for a kiss
But he backed, and she missed

"You need not thank me
Young maid oh so beautiful
I'm but a simple gypsy fox
Quite average and dull

Now if you would excuse me
I really have to run
It's been nothing but a pleasure
My dear Forest Sun!"

And with that he bowed and turned
And headed of away
To new lands and adventure
To the open roads and to a bright new day!

***

The young pup fox looked suspiciously at Conrad.
"Well the story was good and all… But was it all really true? I mean, with the wolves and everything...?"
Conrad gave the child a surprised and slightly overacted look.
"True? Of course it was true! Down to the word, lad. To the word. Would I ever lie to you?"
"Probably."
"Bah! The kids of today! You're all so full of doubt. Of course, the Command doesn't like me singing this song very much. Understandable, really. Anyways, here, have a bite, I think it's done by now."
Conrad had put down his guitar and cut loose a piece of the meat that had been cooking over the fire all afternoon. He gave half of it to the young fox, named Will, who hurriedly swallowed a big piece of it. He had been helping Conrad all day with the preparation the meat, and was now starving for some food. He let out a slow sigh, and swallowed the rest of the piece.
"Not to bad, huh?" Conrad mumbled with his moth full. "Have another slice." He handed another piece to Will.
"Thanks!" Will replied.
They ate quietly for a while, until they had both satisfied their hunger. It took Conrad quite a while longer then Will, who laid himself down on the ground after he was finished, but after some time the meat was all gone, and Conrad gave the stick it had roasted on one last longing look before stretching out on the grass opposite Will.
"Look! The stars are coming out! There are no clouds tonight." Will said from his side of the fire place.
"Mhm." Conrad simply replied, to full of meat to have anything more insightful to say about the subject.
Will suddenly sat up.
"Hey, I was thinking. After that story you told me?"
"Mhm?"
"In the end, why don't you kiss the girl? These kind of stories always end with the hero kissing the girl. I know. I've heard quite a few."
Conrad slowly sat up and huffed out a surprised laugh. He turned to the sky and replied.
"It's getting quite late isn't it? Shouldn't you run back home before your mum starts worrying her son's been eaten by a troll or something?"
Will just looked at Conrad for a second, and then, as if struck by realization, turned his head to the sky, where a neat star-falling was taking place just above their heads.
"Oh no! I'm already late! I told her I'd be home by sundown!" Will quickly rose to his feat and started running towards the forest and his home.
"Bye!" He shouted and waved to Conrad over his shoulder.
Conrad gave up another huffing laughter and laid himself back on the cool grass. He decided that since it was quite a warm summer he'd sleep outside tonight, and slowly he dozed of, listening to the soothing wheezing and popping of the burning fire.