Lupus and Lepus

The Wolf and the Rabbit

Once upon a time, there was a lone rabbit. She would spend her time munching on veggies and greens. Anytime she sensed danger or was chased by a predator, she would hide in her burrow. Even though she wanted to venture out and explore, she was to timid, and always kept close to it. One day, she was chased by a hungry wolf. He was slightly faster, and stopped her before she could hide. He stared at her with cold eyes, and her tiny heart was pounding in her chest. She was terrified. She wanted to cry. She wanted to run, but she knew he would catch her.

"P-p-pl-please" she stammered. "Please d-don't eat m-me."

The wolf, who had felt nothing all his life, felt something in his heart. He had hunted thousands of times, always following his instincts, but he couldn't tell what his instincts said now. He wanted to comfort her, wanted to tell her it would be okay. He was the kind of being who lacked compassion, and let anger drive him. He was so indifferent to others, but felt so strongly about this little white rabbit.

"I won't" replied the wolf. "you wouldn't make much of a meal anyway." With that, the large Gray Wolf lumbered off into the forest, leaving the small bunny alone. She wondered why he had simply left. She might be small, but she still would have been plenty, even for a wolf as big as him. She kept asking herself "why?".

She pondered for weeks, trying to wrap her head around it. One day while she was thinking, a fox attacked. The frightened bunny was too far from her burrow, and so she dashed through the underbrush, not sure where to go. The fox chased her until she tired, and backed her against a tree. She was terrified, knowing full well she wouldn't get lucky twice. Right as the fox was about to strike, a howl sounded through the woods. The fox froze, chilled to the bone. The same wolf that had spared the bunny strode towards them from beyond the trees, growling with his deadly fangs on display. The fox backed up timidly, before fleeing as fast as it could.

"Are you alright?" asked the wolf. The bunny, who had squeezed her eyes shut, opened them. She trembled slightly.

"Th-thank you so m-much" she said to him. The wolf slowly turned, and began to walk away. However, he stopped.

"Come with me" he ordered. "I'll keep you safe, little one." She smiled widely, and bounced after him. He would slow his pace so she could keep up. She realised now that he wasn't a normal wolf. When she looked into his eyes, she saw love. In that instance, she realized she was falling in love as well. Though it was strange, it was love nonetheless, one that would endure for all days. Thus, their lives were forever intertwined.

(Art by Runeechan on DeviantArt)