THE STRANGER:GENERATIONS

By Wilber Arron

Chapter 1: Satisfaction and Agony

It was spring.

Another winter had passed them. This one had been mild. There had been no hunger. Even the meadow grass had not been covered by snow. He was glad. The snow and cold brought increasing aching to his legs and hoofs; the sign of a deer getting old. He always knew he was would get old, assuming some Man did not use a killing stick on him. In was only in the last year that he really felt it in his breath, his muscles, and his strength. All were diminishing. No doubt his first son Stabo, and some of the older deer could beat him now if they wanted. So far no one else had shown an interest in being herd leader.

He had gone away after Carie told him the time of their fawn was near. Doe did not like to be watched as they gave birth to their fawns. He hoped things would work themselves out as they did last year when Stelar had been born. He could not believe that little fawn was now a yearling and already taking on the looks of a beautiful doe. He was watching her and the other new yearlings playing in the meadow. Nearby was his son Stuben, now a two years old and still growing. He was practicing fighting with Delon, the child of Stena his first daughter and her mate Balo. Near Stuben stood Karene one of the twin daughters of his son Stabo and Gena, Bambi's second daughter. Near Delon stood Young Faline, Veron and Alana's first and sadly last daughter. Neither doe had mated the previous Season, but he knew that would change this Season.

"Looking at you family from afar," the growling noise came from behind. "A huge black bear came out of the woods and lay down next to him. He had been his friend and companion for many seasons since he came to this forest.

"I am afraid soon enough I will be looking at them from even further away, if at all. I am starting to feel my age and I am starting to feel my body fail me on the inside. Maybe not this season or the next, but soon my place will be taken by others as it is in the Way of All Things"

"I am the same way," the bear growled. "Even though I found a mate last season, I will not be able to hold her much longer. Some of the younger bears are starting to push their weight around. At least one of them is a Son of mine. At least your sons will not attack you. My son will."

"I hope not," he answered. "It is still good to have children to follow you. When my time comes, I will not mind much. I will have left my sons and daughters behind me. They will take over after me. The herd will be lead well."

He then stopped and looked up at the bear huge face. "I have not told his to anyone, but soon I will call a gathering of the herd and give up being herd leader' I will ask the herd to accept Balo as the new leader. He is ready for it. Bambi and I will still be here a while longer to help if he needs it, but I think Balo is ready to lead. Besides, I rather give up the herd that way instead of one of these young know-nothing males beating me in a fight."

"I doubt that will happen," the bear grunted. "Sometime I watch you deer practice fighting on the meadow at night. You still seem to be able to take care of yourself as am I. Yes we are old, but we are far from dead. We both have pregnant females that can answer to that."

He had to smile. "Yes you are correct, and do not worry, I am not ready to go yet."

"I will be leaving to go over the hill for the spring and summer,' the bear told him.

"Things may not be as easy for you there now. Young Claris, Stabo's eldest daughter mated with Felon from that forest. I understand Felon is now herd leader there."

"He is the one you trained?" the bear asked.

"Yes, we trained him until last Season. He and Young Claris mated and he went back to live in his home forest. Now that Razor and his males are dead, it should not be as hard on the deer. I fear it will be hard on you bears."

"I will manage," the bear said. "As I have said before they have never been as careful as you are. What are your plans for this season?"

"Much the same; continue training my children and the children of my children and friends. As you said try and make the forest a better place to live in. Then try and survive the hunts and Man. I have not seen any more Men and men fawns. I really like to meet some of their smaller fawns, they remind me of my own."

"I do not want to meet any of them," the bear growled loudly.

"I understand," he went on. "In any case, I do not think it will be for long. If I am lucky, I will die of old age like Bambi's Father. If I am not lucky, some Man will taken my body back to his cave. I hope he chokes on my flesh if he does."

The bear laughed. "Stanger you are different from any deer I have ever seen. Do not change, I like you too much."

He was then he noticed Claris dart out of the forest near where the small stream that led to the pond and small clearing comes out of the woods. She was running and looked frighten. She ran up to Stuben and Delon and was talking to them. Stuben pointed to where he was at and then let out with a loud call. "

"COME HERE," his voice echoed through the hills.

He got up quickly. "Something is wrong," he told the bear. "I need to go."

With that he broke into a run down the hill and out onto the meadow. He ran as fast as he could, but by the time he got to the meadow he was tired. He was losing his breath. He used to run this far for exercise. By the time he got to his son and Claris he could hardly speak.

"What happened?" he said gasping for air.

"You need to get to Carie," Claris said excitedly. "There is something wrong with her fawn."

He nodded and continued to move quickly toward the small stream and then up the hill all the while breathing heavily. His legs were aching and his chest felt like it would burst open. He finally got to their clearing and he saw Carie standing there. Below her was a quivering brown spotted male fawn, only something was wrong. It was struggling to get to its feet, but it could not. He watched it try and stand to feed many times without success. Every time it try and get to its feet, it fell over onto its side.

He walked over and put his nose under the little brown fawn to try and lift him. As he did, he caught the scent of the fawn. If was like no new born he had ever smell. This is fawn smelled almost decayed. He back away and looked at Carie.

"The fawn is not right. There is something wrong with him," he told her.

"The smell is wrong," she said. "If he cannot feed, he will not live," Carie told him with fear in her eyes."

"That is true," he said in a low voice. "Carie, I think this fawn was born deformed on the inside. I do not think it will survive."

He went over and looked at the little fawn's face. The eyes look blurred and they looked as if they did not focus. The fawn held his head strangely as if it was not straight. It was as if his little body was crooked. His little legs looked crooked; they were not straight, but seemed to curve. He came to the realization that his fawn, his son, was not going to survive, was not even going to able to feed. It was going to die slowly and painfully, or be torn to pieces by the scavengers. In a moment, he realized he could not allow that to happen.

He walked over to Carie and rubbed her head. His eyes were already tearing. "Listen, I want you to leave here. I want you to go away and not ever come back."

"But the fawn. . ." she started to say,

"The fawn will not live. It cannot stand. It is deformed for some reason."

"Stranger, if we leave our son, he will be torn to pieces by the scavengers," she said her own eyes tearing.

"No he will not be," he said. "I will make sure of that. He will die in as little pain as possible. That I promise you."

She looked confused at him for a second before her eyes went wide when she realized what he was saying. "That is our son," she gasped.

"Yes," he sobbed. "That is why I must do this myself."

Carie looked past him as the small mound of still wet fun. She walked over and nuzzled the fawn, and taking in its scent. She then stood up and looked directly at him. "I understand, Stranger, but do not come near me for a while."

With that she walked off toward the top of the hill. He waited until he was sure she was far enough away. He then went over and looked down at the fawn. He took several deep breaths. This had to be done right the first time. He took his right front hoof and then kicked the little mound of fur in the side of the head as hard as he could.

"EEEEE," was the sound it made and then it lay still. He had knocked it senseless, but it was not dead. He raised his body and came down and stomped his right front hoof onto the side of the fawn's head. He felt the bone crack and give way. The fawn jerked its legs once and then did not move. He did not look down. Instead he walked out of the clearing toward the Man path forest. He managed to get barely out of the clearing before he felt a burning sensation in his throat. A mass of cud came up and he threw up on the ground. He walked away and found an oak tree he could lean against, and sobbed uncontrollably for he did not know how long.

It was after dark when he lay down next to the oaks. In that moment he felt wearier than he could ever remember feeling before. He felt an emptiness inside of him that only made the memory what he had done even worse. No matter what he did, he could not get the feeling of his son's head giving way under his blow, out of his mind. How could anyone stand to look at him now? He had killed male deer who did less than what he had just done. Did he deserve better? The wind blew in the trees that night and it rained heavily. Normally he would seek shelter to get out of the storm. He did not do that this night. He lay soaking wet and alone. He got no sleep at all that night. It was toward first light when he heard someone behind him. He smelled Claris and she was alone. She came up and quietly lay down next to him.

"You should go," he told her. "I am not fit company for anyone."

"I will be the judge of that," she said softly.

"Carie told us what happened about the fawn," Claris told him with her smooth voice. "There was nothing else you could have done except let the scavengers have the fawn. At least he did not suffer much. I do not think anyone blames you; not even Carie. I certainly do not."

He leaned over and nuzzled her on the side of the neck. "I am getting too old for any of this," he said still with a tight lump in his throat. "Maybe it would be best if I just left and turned the herd over to Balo. I am starting to feel useless here."

"No, Stranger, you are not useless. You have trained the children to follow you, and they will. They will train the others that come after them. You have done good things in the forest. Everyone can see that except you. I have seen you look sad lately. I know you feel you are getting old, but old does not mean useless."

"I wish I could believe that," he said. He put his head on the ground and closed his eyes.

"For now sleep," Claris told him. "You will feel better. Later we can go to the meadow and feed."

"I could not do that," he said cringing. "How can the herd look at me after they know what I have done?"

Claris nuzzled his neck "The herd will look at you as the herd leader who had to do a hard thing, yet still did it even through it hurt him badly. Now sleep and know I still care deeply for you."

He relaxed as Claris put her body close to him. It still made him feel warm inside. He slowly drifted off to sleep.

They woke as the greater light was setting. After empting themselves in the forest they ate and then walked toward the Man path forest. As he looked out at the short distance between his forest and the Man path forest as he thought about what he do next. He looked at Claris standing silently behind him.

"You know I could just walk out of this forest and into that forest and just keep walking. No one would ever hear from me again. Balo would be herd leader, and I would not have to look at my herd and try to explain what I have done. It would be better for everyone."

"No it would not," Caris said harshly. "Your children and Bambi would wonder what happened to you and would come after you. Despite what you think, they still care for you as do I. That is one reason why you will not go. The other and greater reason is because you are herd leader, and you will continue to be herd leader until you give it up, or die doing it. I have known that since the time we met. In all that time you have always tried to do the right thing, just like today."

He nodded, no matter how much he wanted to lose himself in the wide forest; he could not lose himself from himself. "So then what do I do?" he asked.

"You come with me and we walk back into the meadow. There is no Man around. We will walk over to the herd and they will still follow you."

Claris slowly walked over to him and nipped his tale like she would in the old days when they were still young. She then walked past him and walked to the edge of the forest. She walked into the meadow just across from the Man cave. She stopped and looked back to him.

"You are coming," she told him almost as an order.

He slowly walked out onto the meadow behind her not knowing how the others would treat him. As he walked down the length of the meadow he could see the other deer of the herd in front of him. About him he saw doe with one or two fawns. They were a couple of doe without fawns. Claris had not been the only one to lose a fawn in the herd. He walked out and stayed away from the others and just ate some more in peace. Claris ate beside him. It did not take much to fill him and afterwards he drank in the small stream running through the meadow. After he was done he saw several deer walking toward him. When they got several lengths away Bambi motioned for the others to stop and he and Faline came forward. He really did not feel like talking to anyone. They stopped and both Bambi and Faline looked at him with sympathy and compassion.

"I have no idea how you feel," Bambi said in a low respectful voice. "I am thankful I never had to make that decision. This may not mean much to you now, but no one blames you for this. You were faced with choice no deer should have to make and you chose the best you could. I admire that you had the courage to do that. I can only hope I would have had the courage to do something like that if I had to."

"I sincerely hope you or anyone else in this herd never has to make that decision," he told him.

"Your family would speak to you," Bambi said. "They see how this has torn at you and they want to help."

He did not want any help. He wanted no reminder of what had happened. Despite what Claris said, he felt like an outsider again like the first day he walked onto the meadow all those seasons ago. He wanted to speak to no one about this.

"No, my friend, I do not want to speak with them about this," he said. "Not tonight and not ever again do I want to speak about this. Tell my family that I never want to speak of this again," he told Bambi and moved away from all of them. He walked slowly back to the edge of the forest and disappeared into the trees. Only then did he feel better.

Chapter 2: Announcements

He came out of the woods several days later as close to normal as he could be. It had taken him a while to finally accept the idea that what he had done was necessary. Claris was right. What had convinced to return him was that he was still herd leader and although the herd did not need a leader at this time, he was still responsible for them; at least for now. That was going to change. He came out onto the meadow with the herd and saw the others there. He saw Bambi and Faline eating next to Claris. Carie was eating next to her son, Stelar and Karene. For now he only wanted to talk to those four, they rest he would tell later.

He walked over to Bambi, Faline and Claris who stopped eating. "I like to talk to all of you and Carie, when you finish eating," he said to them in a low voice.

All nodded silently. He next went over the Carie and repeated the message. She also agreed. He was leaving when Stuben spoke up.

"Father," Stuben said to him.

He turned and looked into his son's brown eyes which were almost on a level with his. By the time next season came around, he be as tall or even taller than him.

"Father, I know you wish to be alone, but Mother has explained what happened. I just wanted to let you know, I think you did the right thing. We all do. I am just sorry it had to be done and I can see how much it has hurt you inside. I wish I could be of more help."

A lump formed in his throat, for he knew his son meant what he said. "You already have helped, my Son, and I thank you and your mother for that."

With that he walked away feeling better than he had for days. It made what he was going to say easier. He went out into the middle of the meadow and continued to eat alone until he noticed the others coming up to him. He waited until they were all there before he bowed his head slightly.

"Thank you for coming,' he started. "I am going to call a gathering of the herd soon. When I do I am going to announce that I am giving up being herd leader. I will ask the herd to accept Balo as the new herd leader. It is time I step away from this and let a younger male lead."

"Stranger, if this has anything to do with our fawn, do not do this. I was angry at the time, but I know you did the right thing," Carie told him.

"Thank you," he said to her, but this has more to do with my age than anything else. Like Bambi did with Gorro, I rather give it to someone I trust than have some young male fight and beat me for it."

"You are not that old," Bambi said. "Other than Balo and maybe Stabo, I doubt any male could take this herd from you."

"Thank you, my friend, but age is catching up with me. It is time someone else lead. If there are problems, both Bambi and I will be here to help, at least for a while. The others are almost ready to take over themselves so this forest and the Man path forest will be well lead without us. There is not much more I can do here."

"I do not believe that," Claris told him. "I have seen you too many time do things that I thought could not be done, and yet you did them."

"I have done all that I could do," he answered. "Both Bambi and I knew that the young deer we trained this time would most likely be our last. That is why we trained so many of them. I can only hope what they learned will be passed on to others."

"So you will tell the herd that Balo is now leader?" Carie asked.

"No!" he said empathically. "I will tell the herd that I am giving up the leadership and that I think Balo should lead in my place. The choice belongs to the herd. They must decide who will lead them."

"And suppose someone challenges him?" Carie asked.

"Anyone that challenges Balo, will get his tail stomped into the ground," Bambi said just as empathically. "Stranger is making the right choice. It is best to leave rather than to be beaten."

"When will you tell Balo and Stena?" Claris wanted to know.

"Tonight," he said and then I will call a gathering soon.

"Then who will follow Balo," Carie asked.

"When the time comes, the herd will decide that also," he said clearly." I guess it will be either Delon or Stuben. The herd will make that choice."

"Your Son should follow you," Carie went on. "I agree with you he is not ready yet, and Balo is the wisest and strongest, but afterwards it should be your Son."

He tried not to show his anger. "That is not my choice or yours to make. It will be up to the herd. They will decide when the time is right. That will not be for many seasons."

"That no one knows," Faline answered.

He nodded his head. "Yes, Faline, you are right. That no one knows."

He then stopped and took a deep breath. "Now here is something that I will not discuss with anyone else except us," he told them all. "I also want you never to mention what I am going to say to anyone. This is deeply personal and I do not wish to share this with anyone else including our family."

They all looked at him strangely before he continued "I have been thinking about what happened with our fawn. I am wondering if I am getting too old to make healthy fawns myself."

The others looked stunned almost in disbelief.

"That is nonsense," Bambi told him. "My Father had me when he was your age and I turned out rather well."

"I know, but after what happened with Claris and now with Carie, I have to wonder if I am at fault here. One thing however is for sure; even if I can still make healthy fawns now, I will not be able to do it for much longer."

There was silence. He knew Bambi had not sought out another doe after Faline's fawn was born dead. Carie could still have those fawns.

He went on trying not to get emotional. "Carie will be able to have healthy fawns for several more seasons. I will not be able to father them for that long. Therefore I offer Carie a choice. If she wants to stay with me and try and have more fawns, I would be happy to try again. However," he said and looked directly at her. "If you feel you would rather find another male for your fawns, I will not stop you or challenge anyone for you. I am giving that choice to you."

Carie looked more surprised than anything else. She stood there in silence for a time while everyone looked at her. Then she spoke clearly, but he could hear the emotion in her voice. "I will not lie to you Stranger, I did think about your age when my fawn was born deformed. Right now I do not know if I want to leave you or not. One thing I can say is that none of the other males in this forest I would even consider to be a father for my fawns. None of the herd males interest me in the least. We still have a while before The Season. I will let you know if I will stay with you or not before that time, In the meantime I will help raise our son and daughter and see they come into to their proper place within the herd."

He expected that much. He also knew, but would not say it, that Carie also liked the position of mate to the herd leader and while she did not push herself forward, she did present herself as being a leading doe. If she was a wise as Claris he would not mind this, but she was not. He was now going to give that up so she would lose that position. He also did not like her comment about his son's and daughter's proper place in the herd. He knew you got position by being reliable, knowing what to do, and being able to protect the herd. Who you were born to meant nothing. That was something he was sure she had not learned yet and possibly never would.

"Very well, I accept that," he told her. "We will discuss this later."

"When will you tell our children," Bambi asked.

"Just before I call for the gathering," he said. "They need to know, but I do not think any of them will dispute Balo being herd leader."

"Nor do I," Claris said. "Stabo already has the Man path forest, Stena will be the mate of the herd leader, so I see no problem there. I do not see any the other children objecting. You have made it clear for a long time that Balo would most likely follow you."

"Again, that is up to the herd," he repeated.

"Very well," Bambi said nodding his head. "I do not agree with everything you have just said, but I do understand why you said it. I agree it is time for Balo. Now you have to tell him and I suggest you do it now."

"I intend to," he answered. "I thank you all for listening to an old deer."

With that he bowed his head and left them still standing in the meadow. It was easy to find Balo and Stena. Other than himself and Bambi, Balo was the largest deer in the forest. He saw them eating with the other young deer around him. He walked up to them until he was within a length of them. Balo looked carefully at him, but it was Stena that spoke.

"Father I am so sorry at what has happened," she told him her eyes misty. "I just want to say we understand."

He nuzzled his daughter like she was still his fawn. "Thank you, daughter," he said and then turned toward the others present. "I need to speak to Balo and Stena alone," he told them. "Please excuse us for a while."

With that he walked toward the trees near where the stream from the pond entered the meadow. When he was sure they were alone he stopped.

"What is it Stranger?" Balo asked. "Is something wrong?"

"No, Balo, for once nothing is wrong," he said with a smile. "Soon I am going to call for a gathering of all the deer in the forest. At that gathering I am going to give up being herd leader. I am getting too old for this and it is time for a new leadership. I am going to suggest to the herd that you be the new herd leader. You are old enough, you have been trained by Bambi and me, you know what to do, and most importantly Stena is very wise on her own. You both can lead the herd as well as me or Bambi ever did."

"Father, you are not that old," Stena said looking shocked. "You can still be leader for seasons to come."

"No daughter, I cannot," he said calmly. "Bambi has showed me it is best to turn over the herd in your own time, rather than get beaten by some new male. I watched him do it with Gorro and then saw how you both helped him. Now it is time for you two to do it on your own."

"Will the herd accept me?" Balo asked.

"The herd has seen you help me for many seasons. They have seen me and Bambi teach you. They have seen how you helped Veron, Stabo, Gorro and I take care of Razor. Right now you could most likely beat me. Besides I am old and tired. It is time for a younger deer to take my place. You are the best deer in the forest to do this, both Bambi and I agree on this. The herd also knows this and will agree. Besides if any deer is stupid enough to challenge you, I know you can stomp them into the ground."

"I hope the others agree with you," Balo said still looking a bit frightened at the prospect."I also hope I am up to being the leader."

"You are," he said and rubbed his forehead against Balo's. "Besides you can always ask Bambi and me for advice if you want to, at least for a while."

"Father no," Stena said the tears now flowing."You will be here for a long time to come. I do not know what I would do without you and Bambi, Even mother and Faline are a great help."

He looked deep into Stena's black eyes and smiled openly. "You will do the best you can no matter if we are here or not. You have your children and mine to help you."

"Yes and Delon can follow you if anything happens," Stena said to Balo.

Not again he was thinking. "That will be up to the herd when that time comes. Remember one of the first lessons I taught you long ago; the herd will decide, not you."

Stena stepped back, "Yes Father of course, but it is only natural that the son will follow the father."

"Balo is not my son," he reminded her, "Although he is like a son to me. Balo is the best deer in the forest. This is why he should be herd leader. The deer in the forest will follow the best deer no matter who it is. When the time comes, the herd will make the choice," he reminded her.

"Yes, Father," she said meekly.

"I will try and do the best I can," Balo said.

"I know you will," he said. Then he looked deep into Balo's black eyes."I only knew your mother for a short time before she was taken. I do know if she was here now, how proud she would be of you and the deer you became. You are as close to me as my own sons. You will do a good job. I trust you with the herd."

With that he rubbed Balo's forehead again and turned and walked away. Balo turned quickly not wanted to see the tears forming in his eyes. He walked into the forest toward the other side of the meadow. For the first time in many risings of the greater light he felt at peace within himself. He had done the best he could. It was time for others to carry on.

He found some grass over by where the stream to Bambi's old forest flowed between the hills. Near the stream were also fresh grasses. He ate them. He had not eaten fully for a while and he discovered how hungry he was. He then heard someone from behind him. It was Claris she came over and started to eat next to him. He looked at her and pictured the doe he first knew when he came to this forest. Not a beauty like Faline or even Young Claris or Young Faline, she was still beautiful. How he wished he could take her in The Season like he once did and put himself inside her. That too was now beyond him. How he hated getting old. He went over and lifted her head with his like he once did. He then gazed into her green eyes and kissed her long and passionately. He watched her white fluffy tail shoot upwards has his did.

"I still like that, Stranger," she said taking in a deep breath.

"So do I," he told her. Now sleep with me here tonight. I need someone near me."

'I will always stay near you," she said in that voice of hers that use to make him almost crazy in The Season.

They finished eating, drinking and then empting their bodies before find a soft piece of grass and there sleeping until the greater light was high overhead. It was then he heard someone creeping through the forest very quietly. The wind was blowing in the wrong way; then he heard a different noise. There was more than one of them. He slowly got up taking in a great breath through his nose. He smelled nothing, He turned and faced the noise and saw two deer coming toward them. The male had his nose in the ground smelling for something. A moment later he got a good look. It was Karene and Stuben out walking together.

He bleated lightly once, and they both approached them. Both were smiling broadly. He looked at Claris who kissed the side of his cheek. "I was her age when you first came here," she reminded him.

"Hello Father," Stuben said. "You left so quickly, we did not have a chance to talk to you."

"We have something to announce to you and Claris," Karene told them. A pity she did not have the voice to go with her beautiful body and face.

"You do not have too, I saw it last year and I see it now," he said grinning ear to ear.

"Were we that obvious?" Stuben asked looking embarrassed.

"As obvious as Claris and I were when we were your age," he said. "I wish you both well, my Son. Finding the right doe is a wonderful thing and makes life well worth living."

"Karene has agreed to stay with me and be my mate during The Season." Stuben was beaming like he was.

He first kissed Karene on the side of her face and then rubbed Stuben's forehead. Claris did likewise.

"Have you told your mother?" he wanted to know.

"Yes, and she is happy about Karene and me. She thinks we will be a good pair. She also told me what you told her Father." Stuben then lowered his head."I am sorry this has happened, but I understand it. Mother does not blame you or anyone for this. I am glad you gave her the choice."

He did not indicate that he was bothered by Carie telling their son of their private conversation. He continued to smile. "She deserved that and a lot more for giving me you and Stelar. I look forward to seeing your fawn next spring."

Stuben reached over and kissed Karene on the mouth like he just did to Claris. At least this was one announcement he enjoyed hearing.

Chapter3: Ghosts From the Past.

It was mid spring. He had just come onto the meadow with Carie and Claris and young Stelar when he saw the large male standing on the meadow near the Man cave. He looked at him carefully. He wasn't from this herd and he did not look like any male from the Man path forest. He was tall, heavily muscled, and he could already see a large rack starting to grow. It was then that Bambi and Faline walked over to him.

"Could he have come from your old forest?" he asked Bambi.

"He looks familiar, but he did not come from my forest," Bambi answered. "I would have known a male like that."

Now Balo, Stuben and Delon approached also looking at the male. "Do you know who he is Father?" Stuben asked.

"No," he said. "I wonder if he is one of the males from over the hill in the forest Felon and Young Claris went to?"

"We did not fight him when Razor came, I know that," Balo said.

He knew they could stand here and wonder all night. It would do them no good. There was one way to find out. He looked at Bambi. "Care to introduce ourselves?"

"I do not mind," Bambi said with a smile.

He looked back at the other four males. "You all stay here. If there are more of them then come in quickly, but I do not think so."

The others nodded and he and Bambi walked over slowly. The other male didn't more, didn't show any sign of threat. He was studying them as intently as they were studying him. They walked up until they were within three lengths of the stranger. The deer looked right at them. "You must be Stranger and Bambi," he said in a deep voice.

"He sounds like my Father," Bambi said out loud.

"Not your Father," the deer said. "More likely your son; I am Galin. My Father was Geno, your son."

Bambi looked stunned for a moment. He walked forward sniffing the air around the large male. "Yes, Geno's scent is with you."

"You come from the forest over the hill and across the large open field?" he asked.

"Yes, I crossed the large open field. It took me three days of careful movement. Man is not in the forest at this time so it was safe. I wanted to come here and meet you both."

"Did my son send you?" Bambi asked suspiciously.

"No," he said abruptly. "Bambi your son Geno and my Father is dead. He died last winter of illness. I came on my own."

Bambi stopped and dropped his head. The large black eyes closed. "Another one," he said almost sobbing. "My children are fewer and fewer."

He walked up to his old friend and rubbed his flank. "I am sorry," he said. Then he looked at Galin and asked, "Why have you come here?"

"That is a story I would like to tell, but I can see the four large males are anxious. I take it those are the males you are training.

"And some of the doe too," he answered.

"Interesting," Galin said. "My Father never told me you could train doe. My Father told me it be a waste of time to try and train them. They would not understand."

Bambi looked up harshly. "In that and a great many other things, your Father was wrong."

"I know that," Galin said as a matter of fact. "My Father believed in strength and power. He always felt like that was the best way to rule. He was wrong as I found out and so did he when it was too late, but that is part of my story."

"Very well," he told Galin. "If you have not come here to challenge or cause trouble then you are welcome here."

"I thank the herd leader," Galin said.

He took Galin over to the rest of his family and introduced him. The shock was universal all except Faline. She did not even have to be introduced before she saw and smelled him and ran over to him and embraced him.

"You look and smell like my son returned," she said and kissed him as a mother would.

"Faline!" Bambi called out. "Later, Galin has a story to tell and I think it would interest all of us to hear it."

He nodded; he was still uncomfortable around this new male. "OK, let us get everyone together and go to the pond. It is more open and we can fit everyone in."

It took a little while to get everyone there. After they all arrived Galin stood and addressed them as he would friends.

"After my Father was told to leave this forest, he traveled to the large forest over you hill above us. That forest is similar to this one only it is much bigger and has three meadows and a much larger herd. There was no real herd leader, but an old large male Asar was considered the strongest that everyone paid attention to him. "My Father came in and Asar saw him as a threat. My mother tells me, Geno said he has no interest in being herd leader, but he was not going to be thrown out again. Asar tried to push his weight against Geno who pushed back and told the male he fight him there and then if he wanted. Asar saw he was not afraid and seeing my Father was a large male like him, he laughed and said any male who fight him was either very brave or very stupid. Asar and my Father decided not to fight and Geno became one of the lead males. Rignor one of the senior males didn't like it and went after Geno. Geno beat him so badly he died soon afterward. After that no one bothered my Father. In fact he even mated with Aslene, Asar's younger sister."

I was born three seasons ago and for the first year as a fawn things were fine. No one bothered me or my mother because no one wanted to anger either Asar or Geno. For that first season things worked well. My Father and Asar did not like each other, but like he told me about Bambi and Ronno, then agreed to live peacefully with each other. The next season my sister Galene was born and that year passed peacefully until The Season came with Man. The hunt was large and many deer were killed. Asar did not know what to do, but Geno took the herd and went deep into the forest where Man could not find us. As a result no more deer were killed. After that all the deer started to ask my Father questions and ask his advice which bothered Asar greatly. He was used to being herd leader. The next spring my mother died having a fawn that was born dead. Asar blamed my Father and things got worse and worse. Finally at The Season Asar started yelling at my Father for looking at the same doe he was interested in. Their yelling led to a fight. The fight was terrible; both would not give way and fought longer than they should of. My Father killed Asar, but was injured badly during the fight. He had a hard time getting around. When the cold came he got the fever and died. That was last winter."

"What about the rest of the deer?" he asked. "What are they doing?"

"Nothing much, they eat and go on their way. There is no direction so they all look out for themselves. I hate to think what will happen when Man comes back to hunt during The Season."

"Then who is herd leader there now?" Bambi asked.

Galin shook his head no. "No one really; there is just a group of males constantly fighting. That is why my sister and I came here."

"Sister," Faline called out. "Your sister is here?"

"Yes," he said. "I told Galene to stay hidden because I was not sure we would be welcomed on account of my Father."

He got up quickly. "I will not lie to you, your Father was not liked because of what he did with Bambi and him trying to put his deer in charge here. That is why Bambi and I chased him away. You and your sister did not do any of these things so you are welcomed. You may go get her and bring her here."

"I will get her now," he said and left in a hurry.

"Stranger, do you trust him?" Balo asked after Galin had left.

"For now yes, but let us watch them," he told them all.

He then turned and faced Bambi. "You and Faline have more to say than any of us, what do you think?"

Bambi just nodded. "Stranger I agree with you. What I feel for Galin and Galene is mixed with what I felt for Geno. They cannot help being Geno's children, but they did nothing to harm us. I think you are right, Stranger, we welcome them and watch them."

"Does anyone else have an opinion?" he asked the group.

There was silence so the rest of his family agreed. They retold the story of when Bambi got so mad at Krono he almost killed him and other stories about Geno that would not have pleased Galin. He again reminded his family that these were Geno's children, not Geno. Then he smelled two deer approach. Into the clearing walked Galin and Galene. His jaw almost dropped and so did Bambi's and Claris.' Galene was almost the exact image of Faline when she was her age. It was uncanny. She had the same graceful lines, the same perfectly formed body. She was a delight that any male would want. He stood up again.

"Welcome Galene," he said. Please lie down over there. I still have some questions for your brother.

"You are the one they call Stranger?" she asked. Her voice was a little gritty, not like Faline's smooth voice.

"Yes," he said with a nod and went on to introduce everyone else in his family group. "You must forgive our stares, but you look exactly like Faline when she was your age."

"You mean my Father's mother he told me about?" she asked.

"Yes, my child," Faline said and got up and looked her over. "Yes, you are Geno's daughter for sure I smell his scent in yours. I am so happy to meet both of you." With that Faline embraced both of them like they were her own fawns. That relaxed thing considerably.

After everyone greeted the new pair and they all lay back down he started asking questions. "Tell me Galin, why have you come to our forest? Do you wish to live here?"

"No, Stranger," I want to go back to my old forest, but I want to learn from you and Bambi how to be a good herd leader. Right now no one leads the herd and it suffers because of it especially during The Season and the hunts. I want to stop that. We had heard of both of you and know of your wisdom. I would like you to teach that to us."

"How do you know of us?" he asked

"It is not that hard," Galin answered "From the end of our forest, it is a one night walk to a smaller forest that lies near Bambi's old forest. Sometime we get deer from Bambi's old forest and we hear the stories like what you did to Tarro. We need a herd leader like you and Bambi and we both figured this be the only way to get it."

That caught him by surprise. Geno would have never cared about learning how to lead despite Bambi's teaching. Bambi looked at him and then looked at them.

"This training you ask for is not easy, and takes times," Bambi spoke seriously. "There is not enough time to complete it this season. If you stay over winter and into next spring we can do this. It would please me to teach you. I tried to teach your Father, and that never worked out."

"So we would not be back for the hunts after The Season," Galene said.

"Yes," Bambi told her. "I know that will mean another season of hunts, but you will be back to try and help out in the seasons to come. All the deer you see here have been taught or are being taught. You will join them. We will start tonight. Stranger will teach the others, they are almost ready. I will teach you two."

"If you are willing to teach, then we are willing to learn," Galene said.

That settles that," he said. "It is getting toward light. We will rest here as a family today and start tonight."

They all bedded down and as a group slept together. He was happy his family was getting so large. At least there would be more to take over after him. That thought comforted him as he fell asleep.

As he worked on some fighting moves with the others, Bambi started training Galin and Galene. He would look over to them from time to time. Both seemed willing to learn. He had the males and doe pair up and practice. It was more exercise now that anything else. After they warmed up he took them into the forest and went over again how to approach Man, how to keep him from tracking you, how to avoid dogs. Most of this was repeated, but he knew for the teaching to take hold, it had to be taught more than once.

Things did not change much for the remainder of the spring. Sometimes Faline, would talk to Galene alone after taking her into the forest. Questions were many and whenever possible answered as best that they could. Even the bear came down once in a while. The first time it scared Galin and Galene almost out of their wits, especially when he started to talk to the large bear. It took some convincing for them to get close, not that he blamed them a bit.

Things went well until one night when Bambi had the rest of them all together. "Tonight we are going to go over kicks and stomps again," he told them.

"Stuben, you and Delon lock together and try and try to get one another on the ground."

"Stuben got close together and locked at the shoulder and started to push each other around. They were evenly matched with Stuben being a little bigger. Both tried to trip and kick each other, not to hurt, but to exercise. The others had seen this, but Galin watched in fascination. In a short while Stuben and Delon had managed to put each other on the ground, Stuben by pushing Delon off balance, and Delon by tripping Stuben. Then he had both Young Faline and Charlene do the same thing. If anything the doe were more aggressive than the two males and after a while, neither could get an advantage. He then repeated the exercise with Young Bambi and Koren. Again both locked at the shoulder and after a while he could see no one was getting an advantage no matter what tricks they used on each other.

"Bambi, I understand why you are trying to teach the males," Galin said. "Males fight for mates and leadership. I do not understand why you teach the doe. They do not fight for either."

"That is quite true, but there is another reason," Bambi said and looked around "Charlene, come here please."

Charlene came forward and stood in front of Bambi. Galin, I want you to come over and try and push Charlene onto the ground like so many males do."

"I am not like that," Galin said seeming sounding angry he was being asked.

"I know that," Bambi said flatly. "Otherwise you would not be here. I do this for a reason. Now please do what I ask."

Galin walked over and then leaned reluctantly over Charlene and tried to use his weight to push her down. It was obvious he was much stronger, but as he applied his weight onto to her back Charlene stepped aside quickly and in one motion brought her leg under Galin knocking out his front legs. Galin's weight worked against him and he fell face first on the ground. Before he could get up she went over and kicked him lightly in the side. She then jumped back quickly and let the confused and embarrassed male get to his feet.

Galin shot up looking angry for a moment. For a second he through the male might attack her. Galin then stopped and looked down at the ground he just got up from. He then raised his head and suddenly laughed out loud. "I understand, Bambi," he said. "Yes that might work once on a male."

"I can use that moment to get away from you," Charlene said calmly. "We doe cannot fight males, but we can certainly discourage them."

"Yes, I see you can," Galin said and walked over to Charlene and kissed her on the side of the check before she could move. "Males can have surprises too," he said with a grin on his face.

Bambi then showed Galene how to do that. Koren offered to be used as a partner. He let Galene trip him and then showed her how she could do it better. Both Bambi and he looked at each other and suppressed a smile. This was certainly interesting.

The lessons went on that night and for other nights. It was pleasing to see them getting along. He knew that Stuben, Delone, Karene and Charlene would soon be done with their training. Then they have to learn by experience. He used the rest of the spring to show the others how to get avoid Man and his dogs. It did not escape him that both Galin and Galene had taken a fancy toward Charlene and Koren. It was obvious that Stuben and Karene, as well as Delon and Young Faline were going to be pairs, come The Season. If Galin and Charlene and Koren and Galene ended up as pairs he would not complain.

It was very nice to have a growing family.

Chapter 4: Fallout

After the others had eaten and Bambi led Galine and Galene away for training he did something unusual. Rather than take all of them out for training or mock combat. Instead he got them all together in the meadow and then in front of them all he lay down on the ground. Claris came up and lay beside him like she did when they were young.

"All of you lie down, tonight's lesson will be short and then I have to talk to you about something very important. "

Stena and Balo who knew what was coming, lay together near them. Next to them Delon and Young Faline lay down close together, Stuben and Karene lay next to them, with Koren, Charlene, and Young Bambi on the end.

Bambi and I have been teaching you now for a full season. You have all learned well. The time of teaching is now over. Soon all of you will start families on your own. You are full adults now and from here on I will start treating you like adults. I have taught you everything I can," he told them. "I will know when winter comes if your listened well enough."

"How is that Father?" Stuben asked.

"If you listened, you will be alive. If you did not, you will be dead," he told them flatly.

That seemed to shake them up which he wanted to do. He then made the most serious face possible. "Although we played this as a game at times, this is not a game. If you do what we taught you wrong, if you make a mistake, it is not that you get to do it again the next night. You will be lying dead in the meadow or the forest with blood pouring out of your bodies. Then Man will come, cut off your heads, and put it in their Man caves. Then they will burn you and eat your bodies. All the time they will be happy and enjoy themselves, because killing deer is fun for Man."

That was the one thing they had to understand. To make a mistake around Man is to die, and die horribly. He went on as serious as possible. "Understand this," he said. "Man does not need to kill us like the bear does, or the coyote does. Those animals kill for food and so they can live. Man has all the food he needs. He can get all the food, and all the meat he wants, just for the asking. This I know from my time with Man. He kills us not to live, but for fun. That is why he does not belong in the forest like we belong. We are here for a reason, Man is not. I wish I could change that, but I cannot. That is the last thing I want to teach you. You are now on your own. Bambi and I have done all we can. This will be my last lesson as herd leader."

That got their attention. They all looked at him in shock.

"I am old and soon I will pass from here. I am the past, you are the future. Take what you have learned and when the time comes teach your children. That is the only thing I will ask of you. In passing on what you have learned then the memory and lives of Bambi, Faline, Claris and myself will have counted for something and in a way we will still be here."

He felt his eyes burning and noted tears in Claris and Stena who understood well his meaning. He also saw Carie walking closer to them, yet still standing. "Now for the announcement," he said loudly so all could hear. "Tomorrow night I am going to call the herd together for a gathering. At that meeting I will step aside as herd leader. I am too old to do this any longer. I will ask the herd to accept Balo as the new herd leader. I have trained him for several seasons and he knows as much as I do. I am asking all of you to support Balo as the new herd leader. I am also asking you to help him with the herd. You all know how to do this. If there are matters you do not agree with, tell him in private. Balo has never questioned my position as herd leader. I expect all of you to do the same. Am I clear on this?"

There was not a word. Whether they did not understand him or were still getting over the surprise he was stepping away as herd leader, he did not know. He lay there patiently waiting for someone to speak up. Finally Stuben broke the silence.

"Forgive us father, but this comes as a surprised." The others were still struck mute. "We all knew you give the herd to Balo someday; we just did not expect it now."

"I am not giving the herd to Balo." he said letting his voice rise. "I am asking the herd to accept Balo. There is a great difference. The herd must decide if they want Balo just like they decided if they wanted me or Bambi. I believe the herd will accept Balo without challenge"

"Unless they want their tales pounded," Delon added.

"Delon, it does not work that way," Stena chided him. "Stranger is right, the herd must decide. You father will deal with any challenges unless several males come forward at once."

"That is where the rest of us come in," Young Bambi said. "As my father told me, an individual challenge must be met by the new herd leader. Attacks by many will be met by many as my Father did with Razor. As you all know as soon as Stabo thinks I am ready, I will ask the herd in my forest to accept me as herd leader."

"Young Bambi is right," he told them all. "Now again I ask, will you all support Balo?"

"I will," Delon said first. He looked at his father with a look of pride in his eyes. Young Faline nodded her approval.

"I will also," Young Bambi spoke up. "I also would like your support when I ask to be herd leader."

"No problem with that, my friend" Stuben turned and said to Young Bambi. "I also agree with my Father, Balo is the best choice for herd leader; although two nights ago you did not seem so old when you spared with me Father."

They all smiled and he was thankful for his son, but he also remembered just how tired he was when they were done.

"I agree with Stuben," Karene said beaming.

"I also agree," Koren said.

"And I," Charlene told them.

He looked around, there was agreement. Now all he had to do was call the herd together. His job would be done.

"And who follows Balo?" Carie asked loud enough to be heard halfway across the meadow.

He suddenly got very angry and shot to his feet and glared at Carie. "As I told you before, that will be decided when it is necessary and it will be decided by the herd."

"Your son should follow you, it is only right," she bellowed back.

"It will be done this way as long as I have anything to say about it." He said now getting very cross."

"But you are no longer herd leader," she snapped back. "You are just an old worn out deer. You just said so."

"That is wrong of you to say that," Stena said now getting up along with Balo and Delon. "He chose you, Carie, not the other way around."

"Because your mother could not have any fawns. Now it looks like your Father cannot either. He no longer gets a say in who is herd leader."

"Yes I do, and if you do not believe me, try me," he said looking at Carie ready to hit her if necessary. He would not be talked to like that from anyone.

"Or what." she hissed back "You will stomp on me like you did Tarro and Razor? Big male, big deer; you cannot even make a fawn anymore you are so old and worn out. Stuben should be herd leader and that is the truth. He should follow you as is his right as your son."

Now they were all on their feet. He saw Bambi and Faline looking at them and starting to walk this way.

"And what of Delon," Stena yelled. "He has as much right to follow his Father as Stuben has to follow his. We will settle this at the proper time."

"No, we will settle this now," Carie came back. "My son is stronger than your son and my son is wiser than your son. He will follow his Father. In fact he should follow him now."

"No he will not," he said and walked up to Carie. She looked at him and for the first time he saw a glint of fear in her eyes. "You will keep your silence, Doe!"

"Or what," she said and brought he left leg up to try and hit him in the face. He saw it coming and dodge left and brought his left leg under her right leg knocking it out from under her. She fell on the ground like an old tree. At once he was on her. He brought his head to look right into her eyes. "Leave," he ordered, or I will. . .

"Stuben," he heard Claris call out a split second before something had hit him knocking him aside. He lost his balance and fell over onto the ground. By reflex he spun quickly getting his feet under him and shot to his feet. He looked straight into his son's face.

"Do not try and hurt my Mother," he said tersely. "I do not agree with everything she has said, but she is my Mother and I will not let you or anyone else hurt her."

"Then you tell your mother to keep her mouth shut," he said staring at his son.

"She is part of the herd too, Father," Stuben said glaring back. "She has her say also."

"Very well, I have heard her say," he told his son. "Now I will hear yours."

"Very well," Stuben said standing back and holding his head up high like a senior male in the herd. "What I said before I meant. Balo is best deer to lead this herd after you. I admit I am not ready to be herd leader right now. I will not admit to anything else. After Balo steps aside, I will present my claim to the herd as leader. I do this because I think I am the better deer."

"You do," Delon said sarcastically. "I rather doubt that."

"We can find that out right here and right now," Stuben said and dropped his head.

"Fine," Delon said and dropped his.

"ENOUGH!" he heard a loud voice from behind him. It was Bambi.

Everyone turned to see the large deer standing as tall and erect as he had ever seen him. "As a deer who has been herd leader longer than any of you this is the perfect way to break up a herd." Bambi said and looked at all of them with contempt. "What The Stranger said is right. When it comes time for Balo to step aside, the herd will decide who will be leader, just like it will decide if Balo will be herd leader now. It is not up to just you. If you want to challenge the decision, by all means go ahead, that is your right. It is also the right of Balo to pound your tails into the ground for doing it."

"Says the male and doe that cannot make fawns either because they are so old," Carie said. That one even shocked him.

"You have no right to insult my oldest friends, doe!" he growled. "Get out of my sight."

"Says the herd leader," she said with a grin and turned away. "I doubt that too."

That finally got to him he leaped over and brought his front leg and kicked her in her tale. Carie tried to kick out with her rear legs but he was ready for that and pulled back too quickly for her to hit. He was also ready when Stuben brought down his head, He turned and dropped letting the young male charge over him. He brought his velvet covered antlers up and dragged them along the length of his body. It did not cut into him, but it certainly hurt. He quickly pulled back as not to give Stuben a chance to attack again. He looked his son right in the eyes and smiled broadly.

"Son, I taught you everything you know about fighting, but I did not teach you everything I know about fighting," he told him. "You can go with your mother."

He did not tell him that almost tired him out, but he dare not show it.

Karene looked at Stuben and his mother walking toward the woods and looked at the rest of them. "Excuse me," she said and ran off after Stuben.

He got a hold of himself and took several deep breaths and looked at Bambi. "That could have gone better."

"Indeed," Bambi said."What brought that on?"

Stean yelled out, "That DOE! said her son was better than mine. I should pound her tail into the ground."

"No, Stena," Balo said. "That is not worthy of the mate of the herd leader. If she bothers you, tell me. I will take care of it. Forgive me Stranger, but what are you going to do now?"

For once in his life, he did not know. He did not believe this was happening. He had always taught his family they were here to help the herd, not themselves. It now appear some of his family did not learn this most basic of all lessons. His plan to leave the herd leadership to Balo with no problems was now in ruin. The entire herd must have heard their argument. He could not believe that after all his teachings they could be having an argument like this.

"May I make a suggestion," Bambi said politely.

"Please do," he told him.

"Do not call for a gathering tomorrow night. Let this settle for a while. Balo, I must ask you to be patient."

"I understand," Balo said.

"Why," Stena spoke up. "Why should Balo be patient because that Doe thinks her son is so mighty? If we do that, all we do is admit that they are right and there is no way I am going to do that. You must call for a gathering tomorrow night, Father, whether they want it or not."

"I think Bambi may be right, daughter," he told her.

No, Father, I must disagree," Stena argued. "This needs to be settled now to show the herd just who is leader here, you or Carie. Besides anyone with any sense know Delon is a better deer than Stuben. He is more sensible."

"Daughter, you are starting to sound like Carie," he said as a warning.

"No I am not," she told them. "I am giving a mother's opinion. I am not insulting my mate, nor our oldest friends, but I do believe Delon is a better deer. I do not accept we delay the gathering."

"I have to agree with my mother on this," Delon spoke up. "I will not be the second deer to Stuben."

"You are what the herd says you are," he said.

"I am sorry, but I have to agree with Stranger and Bambi," Young Bambi said. "This herd is not ready to choose a new herd leader."

"So you agree with Carie?" Stena came right back.

"No I agree with Bambi and Stranger, and yes I think you are starting to sound like Carie." Young Bambi said.

"Stop!" Delon said out loud. "Do not ever say my mother is like Carie."

"Then please ask her to stop sounding like her because she is not listening to me, or Stranger or Bambi."

He could see the red flash in the eyes of Delon who took a step forward and put his head down. "You will not say that and walk away from here."

"And you are going to stop me?" Young Bambi laughed as if he heard something funny. "If case you have forgotten I am stronger than both you and Stuben. If I did not have my own forest to try and lead, I might challenge both of you."

"That is not polite," Bambi said.

"Polite no, the truth yes," Young Bambi told them all. "In fact I am going back to the Man path forest now. "You can all mess up this forest as much as you want. Just do not come to my forest to do this. Stabo and I will throw you out. Stranger, Claris, Bambi, Faline, you are all welcomed in my forest if this forest goes bad."

With that the young male turned and started walking toward the Man path forest. He never looked back at them.

Koren and Charlene finally stood up again. "Do not look at me," Koren said. "I think you all have taken leave of your senses."

He noted the light increasing in the sky. He also saw two bright lights far away down the Man path. "Man is coming," he said. "We should leave, more than enough has been said for one night."

They all rested near the pond that day. During the day he heard banging noise from the Man cave all the morning. It did not sound like Men were back to hunt, but instead they were working on the Man cave. Then the noise stopped and there was quiet for the rest of the day. It was after the greater light was overhead that he first heard the noise. At first it was just voices that got louder and louder. He woke and raised his head. That woke Claris next to him. He got up and that woke Bambi and Faline.

"Stranger," what is it?" Faline asked.

"Loud voices coming from the pond," he answered. "Sounds like deer arguing."

Bambi listed for a moment and then shot to his feet. "It is Stena's and Carie's voices," he said with a grimiest. "They are at it again."

"Well I am still herd leader and this is still my problem," he said and started off toward the pond at a quick walk. The others were behind him. As he got closer he could tell Bambi was right. It was Stena and Carie."

"You think your son is so mighty," Stena called out.

"He is better than yours," Carie came back.

"I said I would prove that right here and now," Stuben yelled out.

"If you say so," Delon called back.

"I will say who fights here," Balo yelled. "I was chosen by the Stranger as herd leader."

"We can see about that too," Stuben said. "Right after I pound Delon's tail into the ground."

That is when he reached the pond and his face was hot and his body filled with rage. The five deer were all standing close to each other. Both Stuben's and Delon's heads were down ready to fight with Balo looking to join in. Carie again tried to strike Stena who jumped back and turned quickly kicking out with her rear legs. It was a big kick and would have serious hurt Carie if she had not leaped aside.

"You can all start by fighting me," he said.

They were so busy yelling at each other they never heard them approach. He stood there shaking his head. After all his and Bambi's teachings, after all their efforts, it had come down to this. He was so mad he could not get words out at first.

"I am sorry, Father but you taught us. . ."Stena started to say.

"I have taught you NOTHING!" he yelled at them. "That is obvious to me now. Oh you certainly learned how to pound each other into the ground, but the most important thing NONE of you have learned. That is you are here for the good of the herd; not the other way around. After all this time, I have failed in the most important thing, to teach my family that one simple item. Thank you all, you have just convinced me my efforts here in this forest were a complete waste of time. Now ALL of you get out of my sight," he told them and turned his back on all of them.

"But Father. . ." Stuben started to say.

"LEAVE!" he shouted with his back still turned to them.

He heard them all leaved taking different paths. He bent over and put his head close to the ground and closed his eyes that were watering.

"It was all for nothing," he said out loud. "I have failed."

With that he started to walk away into the forest by himself.

"Stranger," Claris called out. "You cannot think you have failed. Let us come with you."

"No," he said. "I feel the need to be alone. Thank you for your efforts even thought they did not amount to much with my family. At least Gorro turned out right."

With that he walked into the dense forest and left everything behind.