Flash Fictions by Benjamin D. Togate

Friend of Deer

Dedicated to my young son.

They called him Friend of Deer, Ansgar.

Because deer were his friends. His best friends, to be exact. As little boy he’d spent lots of time at the wildlife park – a little zoo in the forest that had enclosures with wild boars, wolves, foxes and deer. As little boy Ansgar didn’t care much for the other animals. But he could spend hours in front of the deer enclosure – feeding them, calling them, staring into their eyes.

There was one deer in particular, that he loved– the mighty deer with the big antlers. The antlers were as tall as the deer itself. That deer truly was the king of the forest. But then again, not really. Even though his enclosure was big, it was nothing in comparison to the vastness of the forest surrounding him.

Ansgar had always wondered: How it must be for his dear deer friend, to be surrounded by freedom, yet not having full access too it. Maybe he liked it that way? The deer had food, shelter and they lived together peacefully. The wolves couldn’t get to them. Hunters couldn’t shoot them. They were safe.

But what is more important: Freedom or safety?

Having had both of it all his life, Ansgar couldn’t even imagine having to decide between the two. To be free but fear for your life. To be safe but not be free…

Years later, Ansgar was an angsty teen, he decided to find out: He snuck inside the park in the darkness of the night and cut an cut open the enclosure. He wanted to know if they’d choose freedom, given the opportunity.

What happened next made the local news. Half of the herd left – together with their leader, the big great deer. The local community was shocked. Who would do such thing? Ansgar kept his secret but also wondered if he had done the right thing. Over the next few days a few of the deer actually made their way back. They had become hungry and missed the comfort the humans provided.
Ansgar was happy about that. They had been given the choice. And they had chosen. But the great male deer and a few of his females were never seen again.

Until years later. After high school he applied for a job as a park ranger at a national park not far from where he grew up. It was the perfect path for him. He'd spend his days learning and protecting wildlife. One morning he set out early to get to know the popular hiking paths.

He walked up the mountain, through dense and green forests until he arrived at popular viewing point. There were no trees at this particular spot, just meadow and a beautiful view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The park hadn’t even opened yet and he was alone. Ansgar sat down to take a brief break, enjoy the light breeze and take in the quiet of nature.

That’s when he appeared. He walked slowly and deliberately. He had seen and smelled Ansgar from a distance. He remembered him and he wasn’t afraid. When he passed Ansgar – only mere inches between the two old friends – he briefly glanced down. How small this human was – and how big the world. Ansgar glanced back, his short-lived terror turned into amazement. The great deer was alive. He recognized him right away.

The great deer kept walking towards the art sculpture – a half circle made of stone, a favorite photo spot among tourists. And that’s where the king of the forest came to a halt. He just stood there and didn't move at all. Ansgar understood. This. This view. This vastness. This freedom. It was something the deer had chosen over anything else. Not everyone makes that choice and that is okay. But Ansgar was happy. He was able to give this choice to his friend, the deer.