“She was right in front of me, and I couldn’t save her,” mumbled the Woden.
Shiloh had seen the young fawn fall into the river and had dashed to save her.
“Kon, I don’t understand. My hand was right in front of her face; she only needed to reach up and grab it,” said the forest dweller.
“Perhaps she didn’t see it, or she was too busy trying to swim. You did your best, and no one blames you,” said Kon.
“I keep seeing her huge eyes pleading for me to save her as she slipped over the falls,” said Shiloh.
Kon remained silent, feeling words could not heal his friend’s broken heart. Only time could do that.
“I went to see her at the viewing. She looked as if she was sleeping. I tried to wake her, but when I touched her arm it was ice cold,” the Woden said.
Several villagers saw Karlet’s brave act, and he was now considered a hero of sorts.
“I can’t go to the meeting and stand there as folks tell me how brave I was when she rests in the silent earth,” said Shiloh.
“I will talk to the council and let them know you are not up to such a celebration,” said Kon.
“You’re a good friend, and I thank you for listening to my words. Many have come to tell me how brave I was. What I needed was someone to listen,” the Woden whispered.
Kon nodded to his friend, then helped him stand. “Sometimes it is silence that speaks the loudest,” said Shiloh. The two friends walked in silence back to their homes.
Folksburywoods 
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