the Season because we got angry at each other."

"I remember," Veron said."

"Good," he told them. "That is the best advice I can give all of you."

Gina still looked shocked and Stabo was still angry. Veron only nodded his head in acceptance. Finally Stabo got a hold of his temper. "Very well, Father, Gina and I will leave the herd when we feel the Season coming on, but we will go together."

That was about all he could expect, "You are both old enough to do as you want. I can only tell you what I think is best, just stay away from the larger males. They can hurt you, or even kill you Stabo."

Stabo did not look convinced. Only Veron spoke up. "Very well, I will do as you say. I hope you are right about finding a doe that I want."

"I am," he said and smiled. "As for this forest, you have all done as well as I think you could have. I am proud of you all and I think Bambi would be proud of you. I only hope things turn out well this for you this winter. If you need me, you know where to find me."

Both seemed please at his words, but he could tell he had put Stabo and Gina off. They all spent the rest of the night looking over the forest and eating their fill. He slept by himself in the morning.

Early the next night he walked alone to the edge of the forest where he could see his forest in the distance over the small hill. After it was fully dark and he smelled the air many time for any unfamiliar scents. Then he ran back to his forest the same way he ran here. It took a while and his left leg hurt again, but he made it with no problems. For once something had gone right. He only hoped Stabo and Greta would listen to him. He would know for sure in the spring.

It was an easy trip back to his thicket. He stopped along to way to see Friend Owl. He had not visited the old fellow since early spring when he started training the others.

"Hello Friend Owl," he called up.

"Stranger," he heard from a nearby tree. It was the owl and he looked tired. His feathers were even grayer and his face was almost pure white. "Sorry, I have not been feeling well lately," he said.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" he wanted to know.

"No I am just getting old. It is getting hard to catch mice, but I am still here. Where have you been?"

He told the Owl where he been and what he seen. The Owl took it all in like he always did and when he was done he said. "I think you did the right thing with Stabo and Gena, not that I think they will listen. I am glad things are working out for them. Now how is the herd leader doing?"

"As well as can be expected," he said. "We need now to get ready for the Season and the return of Man," he said.

"Man has made one big nest over by the edge of the meadow," the Old Owl told him." This does not look well for you deer."

"I know," he said walking off. "I have to get back to my thicket with Claris. I will talk with you later."

He was never sure what the Owl said in return, but it sounded to him like, "perhaps."

It was near dawn when he got back to his thicket as he got closer a familiar scent came to his nose. "It smelled like Faline, but it was slightly different. He then smelled Claris and another deer he did not recognize. He got into the bush and slipped quietly toward his thicket. He saw Claris, Stena, a deer that looked like Faline, and then Faline walked out of her cave. There was also another fawn from this year playing around that he did not know. Jolo was also there with a large frown on his face. He approached from the rear and when he was about ten lengths away Claris turned around quickly.

"Stanger," she called out almost in a plea. "Come here please; Bambi has returned and it is terrible."