friend," he said. "Yes, I like to get back. It is too easy for others to follow us in the open with snow on the ground. Also it is much colder in the open and I want to be back before the real cold of winter begins. I also have to prepare. It is going to be a very busy spring."

They all looked at him "Why is that?" Bambi asked.

"There are many who have asked to be trained to become herd leaders. Veron's son and daughter want to be trained. Stabo daughter Young Claris wants to be trained as does his son Koren and his two new daughters. Stena's and Balo's son Delon wants to be trained, and my son Stuben wants to be trained. I will have a full time of it."

"Do you have any help?" Gorro asked. "I could come back after our fawn is bigger in the early summer."

"No," Bambi said. "You will be needed here. Do you have any help, my friend?"

"Just Balo and Stena, but they will have a family to take care of, as will I," he said "Stabo needs to be herd leader in the Man path forest at least until Young Bambi is old enough to take over. Who else is there? It will be a struggle, but I will manage. I have too. Who else is there?"

"I see," Bambi said and looked at Gorro. "Let me think about this. I am pleased so many want to learn. It makes me feel better that there will be others to come up to replace my son and us."

They talked for a while. He was happy to see that Gorro and Delene were definitely now a pair. He did not need his nose to tell him they were a mated pare. In the spring she would have a fawn also. Life in the forests does change, but it does so with new life. He was happy for them. The rest of the herd left them alone. At this time of year and well into next spring there will be only winter's hardships to deal with and the natural predators. Man's influence would not be felt. Claris, Faline and Delene went off by themselves and he and Bambi did some light sparing. It was hard because all their antlers were loose. It was more exercise than training, but it kept their minds off of other things. As soon as the greater light showed its first sign, Bambi told the herd to go back into the forest. He followed them back to the clearing before Bambi stopped them.

"There are things I must discuss in private with Faline, Delene, and Gorro. I know you are like family to me, but this I must do alone with my son and his mate. Please do not be offended."

That did surprise him. He looked at Claris and shrugged." I understand. We are not offended. We will bed down near your old place by the hill," he told him and they both walked away.

As soon as they were well clear of the others Claris looked at him with puzzlement. "What was that all about?" she wondered.

"I have no idea, but I think we will find out soon," he answered.

They found the old place he had slept when he was in Bambi's forest before. They lay down and slept through most of the day. Around him he heard nothing. They drifted off to sleep before something woke him when the greater light was nearly overhead. He looked out onto the large clearing around the lake. It was free of any large animal. If Man was around, he had nothing to kill today. They both woke as the greater light was setting. Both of them walked into the woods to empty themselves and eat some of the leaves near the hill. It was well after dark when he saw movement in front of him. Bambi and his family were walking into the open.

Bambi stopped and took in a deep breath. He let out a loud call. "HERE. . . HERE. . . All Come Here."

"He is calling his herd," he told Claris."Bambi didn't say he was calling for a gathering. They slowly got up and walked over. Several of the deer recognized him and greeted him. Claris was looking around and soon saw her older sister Cara; she had a male fawn near her losing his spots and growing a winter coat for the first time. They looked at each other and ran to embrace.

"Sister," Claris said and nuzzled both her and her fawn. He did likewise.

"I did not expect to see you back again," her sister said looking happy."This is little Roko, who is my son."

"The fawn looked shy and tried to move away from the strangers. All the while Claris was looking around.

"Where is mother," Claris asked.

Cara dropped her head. "Mother got sick last winter and it carried over into the spring. She seemed to be getting weaker. One day last spring she said she wanted to walk in the forest by herself. No one ever saw her again."

"Mother," Claris muttered and turned and walked away.

"I am sorry," Cara said to him. "I did not mean to spoil your visit."

"It was already spoiled," he said, and told her about Veron.

"Poor Bambi," was all she said.

After a while the open clearing was filled with deer; some of the older deer still had their antlers. There were also young fawns for whom this would be their first winter. There were more deer than he could count. Bambi's herd was at least twice as large as his. He stood in the back. After a while Claris joined him again.

"I am sorry about your mother," he told her in a low voice.

Claris looked straight ahead and said in a clam voice. "At least she died that way rather than being killed by some Man."

"Come here," Bambi called to them. They both went and stood next to but behind Bambi and Gorro. It looked as if Gorro had eaten something sour. Delene looked worried too. Something was up. As they approached Bambi noticed the look on Claris's face and then saw Cara.

"I am also sorry about Ate," Bambi said and rubbed Claris' forehead.

"What is going on?" he wanted to know.

"Listen," Bambi ordered.

What that Bambi walked out alone and spoke loudly to those around him.

"As you can see Stranger and Claris have come back to our forest. They bring the sad news that my son Veron was killed by Man during the hunts. My son was a good deer and died defending his herd. He had children, but they are far too young to take over his position."

There were choruses of condolences and well meaning talk. Bambi ignored it. "Stranger has also brought word that there are many other deer in his forests that want to learn how to be a herd leader: too many for him to teach alone. He will need help and I and Faline have decided to help him."

That got his attention. He never thought or wanted Bambi to leave his native forest. There were cries of no and please don't go Even the older males looked shocked and a bit scared remembering the disaster of Ronno and Geno on the herd.

"I know what you are thinking, but I have a son Gorro, and I have taught him much better than my first son, Geno. Gorro will not make those mistakes. Gorro is wise and knows what to do. He knows how to avoid Man. Both I and Stranger have taught him well. What I must ask the herd is will you accept my son Gorro as my replacement?"

That was the tricky part. If one of the males objected there would be a blood fight right here. He didn't think they try to gang up on Gorro with him and Bambi there. That would not stop them after they had gone. Gorro was going to need help and he did not have anyone to send him.

"I wish to speak," one of the large herd males said and walked forward proudly. He had to be five or six seasons old and still had a large rack, but smaller than his, Gorro's or Bambi's.

"Ceon may speak," Bambi said. Even Faline and Delene were nervous.

Ceon stepped forward and also spoke loudly. "I have seen Bambi teach Gorro much like he taught Geno. The difference between Geno and Gorro is while Geno was strong on the outside, he was weak on the inside, He gave into his feelings too quickly. Gorro is not weak on the inside and like his father, he keeps his feelings under control. I knew Bambi would one day turn the forest over to his son. I wish it could be a season later than now, but that is not to be. I have also seen Stranger come here and help Bambi rid us of Tarro who was even more of fool than Geno. If Bambi and Stranger think Gorro is ready to lead, then I will follow. I know I cannot do it."

He stepped forward. "Gorro has also visited my forest. I too have taught him as well as I can how to avoid man and how to keep the herd out of danger. He is like another son to me. He is brave, wise, thoughtful, and I feel he is ready to lead."

Bambi and Faline smiled openly at him. He looked around. There seemed to be general agreement among the herd. Then Gorro stepped forward until he was alone in the middle of the herd.

"I will lead you if you wish," he said loudly, "But it has to be your decision. No one can decide this for you. If anyone objects to me being leader I want them to speak up now."

He looked closely at the older males. Males do not normally like being told what to do by a younger male. He did not see any that had looks of dissatisfaction. For now Gorro was in charge.

"Does anyone have anything else to say?" Bambi asked.

There was nothing but silence.

"Thank you for allowing me to be your herd leader," Bambi said finally. "I ask you to show Gorro, the same respect you showed me. I do not think I will return here. I was proud to be your leader, Farewell."

With that Bambi stopped and walked away with Faline following. A few of the herd walked up to Gorro to ask what they should do.

"We will feed now and drink," Gorro said with authority. We must be off the clearing before the rising of the greater light. I do not think Man is here, but we should be

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