female, ready to finish his prowl.

"Let her go, Niju!" The wolfdog emerged from the depths,

leaving the remaining pack behind.

His thoughts were not of leadership right now;

his wolf-like daughter was first on his mind.

"What about the clan?" Aleu asked

as the air was filled with mournful, lonely cries.

Little did they know, the time was right:

A new leader would soon arise.

"You wanted the chance, Niju! Take it!"

Balto offered the male the position.

"No way! I'll never leave my home!"

The ice cracked, leaving him out of commission.

"Why not Nava?" But the old one was in chagrin.

It was official: He couldn't make the swim.

"I'll go and lead them on," Balto declared,

but Aleu suddenly stopped him.

"No, Papa. That is not your job.

This is where I should be.

I will lead the pack cross the water.

That is my true destiny."

"She has a point," Nava's thoughts were cleared.

"I should have thought more broader.

The one who is wolf and does not know

is not you, but your part-wolf daughter."

Nava gave them time to say their farewells,

but Balto was sad as the winds began to whirl.

"It's hard to let you go," the father said.

"I know, Papa, but I'll always be your baby girl."

They nuzzled happily one last time,

as the light brown pup dived into the water.

Balto proudly remembered times from her birth

and whispered into the breeze: "Farewell, daughter."

Nava assured him that she would be great,

but it was time for the two canines to part.

"I will find my clansman, Niju, for we need the other still,"

He bid goodbye, allowing Balto's journey home to start.

Then a familiar cackling caw landed near the mutt,

as Balto let out a sigh, "What now? Oh brother!"

Magically a white lupine appeared where the raven had landed,

"Aniu?" She howled, answering his query: "Are you my mother?"

Then in a breath of wind, she faded away,

gone from her heroic son's view.

Thus, this ends this second adventure

as Balto returned home with eyes of a new hue.