Fear

“Today I’ll go as far as the grain field and bring back a feast,” Carrow told his mother.

“Why must you always try to prove that you are as good as your father? He died because of his ego, and now you’re doing the same,” replied his mother.

When Carrow was a kit, his father took him on outings. He taught him how to steal greens from the garden.

After the farmer’s tomcat killed his father, Carrow felt he must show his family he could care for them.

“I’ll be careful and will be home by lunch,” said Carrow.

Off he dashed before his mother could say another word. Ahead lay the gardens, and past that the grain fields.

“I’ll bring enough home to fill out bellies until we burst. No more greens that leave you wanting more,” the rabbit said.

Once he had entered the grain field, Carrow let his guard down. He felt it was a safe place for a rabbit.

“I’ll hear anything that tries to sneak up on me. I’ll be off in a flash,” said Carrow as he began to cut the stalks of grain.

Carrow bundled the shafts together and prepared to head home.

“Better have a look around. The tomcat may be lurking on the field’s edge,” said Carrow.

Carrow surveyed the horizon and saw no threat, so he gathered his prize and began to stand up. Whoosh went the air over his head as he stood.

“Hawk! What a fool I forgot about those sky devils,” said Carrow as he flattened himself against the ground.

“Mother was right, I am an arrogant fool, what will I do now. As soon as I break the field’s edge, his talons will find me,” muttered Carrow.

He knew he could wait until dark. But that would bring his mother. She would then become the bird of prey’s dinner, not him.

“Damn my foolishness,” said Carrow.

Carrow lay low as the hawk swooped overhead. It tried to scare the rabbit to bolt for the forest. Making Carrow an easy target.

“Got it,” cried the rabbit. Using several long wheat shafts, Carrow secured the bundle of stalks onto his back.

“Now it’s time to see who is the smartest,” said Carrow.

The rabbit made his way to the field’s edge and waited for the hawk to make a pass. “Now,” cried Carrow.

With all his might, the rabbit made for the forest’s edge. The hawk failed to see him at first due to the wheat shafts covering his body.

“Almost there,” was all Carrow got out. When the hawk’s talons made contact, Carrow’s body flew skyward.

The hawk’s strike sent him tumbling. After he recovered, he bolted into the tree line and safety.

The bird’s cry of anger at losing his meal echoed deep into the forest. “I was lucky this time, next time may be different,” said Carrow as he limped home.

Although he lost most of the grain, his mother smiled to see his work. Carrow hid his wound, not wishing to worry his poor mother.

In the days to come, Carrow made more journeys to the grain field. He always took precautions. He made sure he was mindful of his actions.

On her deathbed, Carrow’s mother told him how happy she was that he did not end up like his father.

“It was your wise words that saved me from that fate,” said Carrow as he kissed his mother goodbye.

Years later, as he prepared for his nightly outing, Carrow remembered his mother’s words.

“I will make sure my son hears those same words. He will know them when he ventures out on his own,” said Carrow. He gave a nod to his mother’s wisdom.

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