Children of the wolf

Children of the wolf

Two wolf cubs rolled in the snow at a hill crest. Scratching, biting, vying to be top dog. Growling, one cub pinned the other to the ground, then released him.

He grabbed a stick, holding it high in his paw. “One day, Remus,” he said, “I will build a city here and give it my name: Romulus. It shall rule the world.”

“Enough of your fantasies, brother,” said the other. “We must return now to our mother. And with a rabbit or other morsel for her to eat, or she will scold us and bite our ears for our impudence.”

* * * * *

The above story, and the following three, are all drabbles – stories written in exactly 100 words. Writing a story in so few words is not as difficult as it may at first seem. All you have to do is to write a beginning, a middle and an end and do it in as few choice words, phrases and sentences as you can. Write it briefly, concisely and with precision and then take a good look at the 200 or 300 words you have written, thinking about what can be cut out without taking away from the impact of the story. For any writer it is a great exercise in the discipline of writing and editing, keeping what’s essential and dispensing with the unnecessary. Why not give it a try?

All of the stories on this page have a wolf theme. Wolves fascinate me and I often write stories that feature real wolves or mythical and magical creatures that resemble wolves or have wolf-like attributes. My first novel, Run with the Pack, features wolves struggling to survive in an unforgiving forest. A wilderness adventure inspired by the big open spaces and dense forests of Yellowstone National Park. A place I have never been and can only imagine. If you like any of these stories, please leave a comment below.

Enjoy!

Blanket

A lone wolf steals into a deserted encampment, drawn in by the scent and the sound of movement. There, by the smoldering embers, she spots a bundle of arms and kicking legs. Looking around for others of its kind, she wonders how it came to be alone. Ears pricked, scanning for any sign of danger, she pads silently across the bracken. As she reaches the infant she stops, to sniff at the discarded blanket. Gripping the woolen material in her teeth, she stretches it over the child, before curling around the bundle to provide warmth, ears raised, eyes open, alert.

* * * * *

Bullet

Stepping up to the barn, she took off her beloved crucifix which sparkled, silver in the dying sunlight.

“Take great care,” she said, as she handed it to her brother.

“I will.”

Later, as she stole out into the moonlight, she saw the wolf standing at the edge of the woods.

“Come to me, my darling,” was all she said. When the wolf, obeying, paced out of the shadows, a sharp crack from the barn, and the creature fell.

As the wolf’s life slipped away, the man’s outer semblance returned. Peace granted by the silver ball lodged in his heart.

* * * * * 

Moonlight

Through the wooded grove, the couple strode in the gathering dusk, hand in hand, lost in their love, as if floating on the carpet of soft moss.

I love him, the young woman thought. So strong, so tall, so handsome, yet so gentle. I could not want for a better man in betrothal.

As they continued in silence to the clearing, she shuddered in anticipation. At last, they entered the clearing. As the full disc of the Moon broke forth, she turned to him, eyes closed, head inclined, lips parting, as the thing buried its cruel fangs in her throat.

* * * * *

If you liked any of these little stories, please leave a comment below.

Check out my first novel Run with the Pack - a story of a wolf's struggle to survive the unforgiving forest.

Read episode one now: Outcast

Run with the Pack

Please check out my other short stories and reviews on Vocal:

https://vocal.media/authors/raymond-g-taylor

© Raymond G. Taylor, 2020-2022, all rights reserved. The author has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this work.

Please visit the author on Facebook: Raymond.G.Taylor.author