The New Light of Hope: Books I to VI.

Chapter IX: A Simple Question.

Summer:

Date: August 9, 2020.

The next day as I was carrying out my regular duties throughout the Night Runners Division, something that had been on my mind ever since I first began coming to the forest was the fact that there were no coyotes and there were just wolves, foxes, bobcats, and wolf fox mixes and nothing more than just that; it was strange to say the least. I know that Aurora allowed Cinder and her pups to stay in the Forest Spirits Division and how her son, StrikeHeart looked more like a coyote than a wolf but no one even bothered to mention it to anybody since it was none of their business, but I could tell that when he and his sister began their apprenticeship last year, many of the animals of the meeting would whisper amongst each other and give looks and distrust and uncertainty about the young lad and his sister. Hell, I can't even recount once I hadn't heard any sort of gossip about Cinder and her pups whenever I was was carrying out my duties.

***

Later on that same day in the afternoon when I wasn't too busy, I went up to Chief GorseHunter in order to talk with him while I still had the chance. "Hi, Chief Gorsehunter, do you have a moment?" I asked. Chief GorseHunter looked up just by the sound of my voice and he said: "Yeah, I have the time. What's up?"

Summer: "I just wanted to talk to you about something that's been on my ever since I first came here. Back when you were still a joint leader along side BlueFire before his death, Chief TimberHeart, Chief DoveFeather, and Chief FalconTalon when he was still alive and it's been on my mind ever since Aurora, Chief ArrowHeart, and MoonStone allowed Cinder and her pups to stay. And trying to get here is this: How come there are no coyotes in any of the Division and just wolves, foxes, bobcats, and fox-wolf mixes?"

He didn't say anything at first, but then he looked at me and said: "Coyotes are nothing but untrustworthy, sly, dishonest, and greedy scavengers with no hearts for anybody but themselves and their own kind and are better off that way if you were to ask me."

Summer: "Not really the answer that I was looking for. But may I ask this: Why would you say all of that about coyotes when if you haven't even given them a single to even prove themselves? I mean, what if some coyotes want to know what Division and Forest life is like? Are you just going to turn them away and let them go own living the same, loner life as usual or are you going even give them a chance to even do anything in that matter?"

Chief GorseHunter: "I think I have heard enough for the day. As much as I appreciate this conversation, I do not want to hear not another word about some sort scavanging carrion-breaths."

He bowed his head and left. Well, damn bro, I was just asking a simple fucking question! That was something that I wanted to shout, but I bit my tongue and kept silent as he left and I went right back to carrying my regular duties. Still though, the thought of and the fact that coyotes weren't part of any Division for such a ridiculous reason.

No, one day, I'm going to help fix this bullshit perspective on coyotes because rest assured, there is more to these canine that meets the eyes. I told myself. And I would not be the only one who would do just that as the month went by and by.