THE YOUNG BUCK AND THE WILD CAT
Through trails, hills, and meadows, a young buck reveled in the peaceful morning. He had discovered a small stream earlier and eagerly anticipated quenching his thirst. As he began to drink, a noise nearby startled him.
“Ho ho! Do I have company?” the young buck thought, slowly turning his head to see a wild cat approaching. Taking advantage of the situation, the wild cat sought to share the spot.
The young buck confronted the wild cat, demanding, “What are you doing here? I was here first. You need to wait or leave.”
Confused, the wild cat replied, “May I have a small drink, your honor? I can stay a few feet away since you are showing me no mercy.”
The wild cat stepped back slightly and continued talking, irritating the young buck.
“I can be friendly, you know,” the wild cat said. “I would be honored to know your name,” the young buck replied.
“I am very suspicious of creepy creatures and not eager to meet friends of your type,” the young buck said. “I could kick you out of here and get you out of my way, you know.”
The wild cat laughed and said, “I would climb all the way to the top of a tree in a second. Watch me until I can jump on your back, and you won’t be able to get rid of me. Let’s see what happens when I run you off.”
They exchanged a few words and eventually gave up. They parted in the depths of the woods. Sadly, no one knew what happened to them, and the stream didn’t seem to care.