“Come along, Pond. You know I don’t like to stay in one spot too long. Hunters will pick up our trail, and you know what that means, don’t you?” said Buck.
Buck was as old as some trees in the forest and more stubborn than a mule on market day. A few months ago, the boar was fleeing a pack of hounds when he spooked the fawn’s mother. Rushing from hiding, the dogs attacked and killed her, allowing Buck to get away.
The following day, while out rooting for breakfast, Buck came across the fawn in search of her mother.
“Your mother is dead. I’m sorry the fault was mine,” said the boar.
“What will happen to me? Will the hounds kill me like my mother?” questioned the fawn.
“No, I will watch over you until you are ready to be alone,” replied Buck.
Since then, the two have been inseparable. Always on the move to avoid the hounds, Buck acted as guardian and teacher.
Buck taught Pond how to evade the hounds and where the best sweet greens grew. Pond gave the boar a purpose he had long forgotten: being a father.
Autumn approached, meaning Pond had to find a mate. “I’m sad to see you go, but you are ready. Tomorrow, I will head to the lower hollow and prepare for winter,” said the boar.
“I will never forget your kindness and wish you all the best. I hope we meet in the future,” said the doe.
“Perhaps,” replied Buck.
Early the following day, Pond nuzzled the old boar and whispered a tearful goodbye. She then headed to the forest’s edge and open land.
“Time I get these old bones to the hollow,” muttered Buck as he made his way through the wood.
Buck hadn’t gone far when his ears picked up the distant cry of hounds. Instinctively, he knew they had picked up Pond’s scent. “Damn those dogs,” said the boar as he charged off in the direction of the cries.
He bolted straight toward the pack as he exited the forest. Running ahead of the dogs was the doe. “Into the forest,” Buck cried as he sped past the doe and smashed into the hounds.
The pack circled back and began their savage attack upon the boar. Buck fought the dogs to allow the doe to flee across the stream and cover her scent from the hounds.
As he faded, the boar whispered, “A debt repaid.”
Pond tells each new fawn how a great hero fought an army to save her life. She asks them to honor him when they grow and have their offspring.
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