- Chapter-4
The Journey of Alpha Reindeer
Contd… - Author : Aabel Roby Abraham
A deep crack resounded through the forest as the land surrounding the clearing started falling into the ground. This had been caused by the weakening effect of the heavy rainfall of the previous night, and a group of young reindeer had become stranded along a crumbling edge.
No time was wasted, and Fluffy and his friends jumped into action. Teddy Senior used his muscles to move some tree limbs, Teddy Junior helped to move these limbs to form a kind of bridge, Sandy talked soothingly to a frightened reindeer, and Fluffy led all these operations. Thus, they saved the reindeer just when it was about to get stuck due to the earth giving way.
The Alpha Reindeer spoke to Fluffy, his voice calm and lacing with gratitude.
“You saved my herd. We will never forget this.” It was in the evenings, with a forest falling into stillness and stars shining in the night sky, that Fluffy and the Alpha Reindeer sat side by side, by a quiet brook, with the whole herd resting peacefully in the safety of the trees.
Long silence passed before Alpha Reindeer spoke softly.
“Everyone looks up to me as strong and successful,” he said. “They think I am happy. But the fact is… I am not.”
The bunny listened attentively.
“I bear the weight of all decisions,” the Alpha went on. “All danger, all choices, all errors—all are mine to bear. I worry ceaselessly. I know not peace, not for many years. In truth, I desire to range alone, unencumbered by any need to consider others. But I worry about my heard if I should abandon it. Who would lead it if I were to leave?”
- Contd… Next Issue
