04-17-2024, 11:27 AM
The horse steps even closer and the raccoon takes a deep breath of both awe and fear.
Did it intend to trample him? Was it going to snap at him as the fox had done?
He sits frozen before the tall beast, staring upward with his small brown eyes and a racing heart. For a moment, he is unsure what to do, but then the larger animal speaks to him and the raccoon is utterly perplexed.
He has never heard another animal speak to him before; only his raccoon brethren have ever conversed with him in their native tongue. But these words he understands – ‘what’s happened to you?’ – spoken with a heavy tone of wonder.
The raccoon now tilts his head as well; the pair would appear rather comical, if anyone happened to see them. With a twitch of his rounded ears, the raccoon ventures an answer: “I was attacked.” He’s not sure why he’s bothering to explain himself to this giant stranger, but it surely couldn’t hurt.
By now he’s realized that whatever affliction had befallen him earlier has seemed to subside. Like his equine companion, he is unaware of the reason for this change and even less aware of its temporary timespan. But for now, he is happy to have regained his mobility, stretching his short legs out as he lowers himself back to all-fours.
“I was looking for food. The fox was very angry with me.” He tries to continue his brief tale, swiping one paw at his small muzzle and licking his lips again. “Is there water nearby?” In the case that this other animal might understand him, he asks for help the only way he knows how.
a raccoon