Chance Encounter
My entry into Cendrine's The Emotional Moment in Nature Challenge
Thump!
He had tripped over a fallen branch camouflaged by the bed of leaves on the forest floor. While trying to free himself, he noticed he had scratched himself.
He heard rustling and saw two bright golden eyes in the dull light. Watching the wolf stand and howl, he was terrified and enthralled by the beast's ethereal appearance and sound.
He quickly, without moving, located a large rock, just in case.
Rather than terror, he noted the beast was as curious as he, and sighed with relief as it prowled off into the night. A chance encounter he'd never forget.
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Thanks for reading!
This is my entry into Cendrine Marrouat's The Emotional Moment in Nature Challenge. You can find more information about this challenge here:
The prompt for the challenge is:
I invite you to write a true or fictional story that describes a deep, emotional moment connected with nature.
You are free to choose any natural element you want. Whether it is a tree, pretty flowers in your backyard, bees you meet on a walk, or a combination of elements, anything goes.
However, to qualify, your work must be written in the form of a flashku.
For more information about writing a flashku, this guide that Cendrine put together, is invaluable:
The source for the seven borrowed words was my own piece for the Mythmaker Challenge - Why The Wolf Howls in Pain, as I wanted to further highlight many of the misconceptions of these awesome wild animals that we share the planet with.
Thanks for reading!
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
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Comments (12)
Back to say congrats. 🥂 I love this even more on the second read. 🥰
Paul! Congrats on your placement in Cendrine’s challenge! I totally had your name in my comment but I made an edit and I think it deleted 😱 fantastic job with this one– it was one of my faves!!!!
Great story, Paul, with a great message!
Thank you for participating in my challenge! The results are in: https://shopping-feedback.today/writers/and-the-winner-of-the-emotional-moment-in-nature-challenge-is%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E. :-)
👏😊
Nice one! I felt like I was there, scrambling for my safety, unnecessarily. Love wolves, fascinating animals.
Ohhhh, great entry, Paul! Love the message of curiosity here! I’ve found this to be the case in all of my wildlife encounters. My oldest and I were hiking and we encountered a bear. We paused. Surprisingly I felt so calm, and he just looked at us and sauntered off. I’ve also taken a few early morning walks (on my path) and a few times had a lone coyote walking the same path but at a distance. He’s looked at me and continued on his way. Kinda magical, actually. This is such a great tribute to our connection to nature and how approaching with the spirit of curiosity can keep things peaceful. A beautiful lesson for life in general. Bravo! 👏🏽
Oh no, why didn't the wolf eat him? Was kinda hoping for that, lol! Wonderful story Sir Paul! 🍩🥐
A life-altering experience filled with wonder & grace.
I liked the ending and how the wolf was just as curious as he was.
Wonderful! You brought me right there, in this encounter with a wolf. I think I would be terrified and enthralled as well. And probably start fan girling, like I do when I see other wild animals or bees. I’m always like, “You’re beautiful! I love you!” And they really seem to pick up what I’m putting down. I think they can read my energy as non-threatening.
That was great, Paul! Very enjoyable read! But I only see six words. ;-)