Quote of the day

"Believe you can and you're halfway there."

-Theadore Roosevelt

Chapter Five: The Ingredient that saves lives

When Winter awoke the next morning, there was only silence. There were no birds singing their lovely melodies that they had sang every morning before this one. There was no soft and welcoming breeze blowing through the tree leaves, carrying the sweet smells of the honeysuckle that was nearby.

Even the sky was gloomy. The sunrise not as full, the sky was only painted with dark and sad colors, instead of bright and happy colors that would have brought a smile to Winter’s face.

Not even Moonbell was there. It was as if all of the forest knew something was not right, just as Winter did. She decided she needed to find Moonwatcher, Luna, especially Moonbell.

She raced outside. No one. She walked up to all of the caves and no one was there. She had checked all of them, but one. She checked this one last because she knew under normal circumstances, she had to have specific permission to enter, but this was no normal occasion. That was for sure.

She quietly peeked in and found almost every wolf in the pack huddled sadly around a pallet of soft leaves and grass, but Winter couldn’t see who was lying on it. She heard footsteps behind her, and then saw Mercury loping toward her with a yellow- no, not yellow- a golden leaf in his mouth.

Winter was about to ask him what in the world was going on, but he seemed urgent and she let him go into the den. As soon as he walked in, all the wolves glanced backwards and immediately let him pass through.

As you would imagine, this is a very big cave to hold all of these wolves, in fact, so huge that Winter could hear Mercury’s panting echoing around the cave and it seemed so loud she wanted to cover her ears.

Anyhow, Winter watched intently, and saw that the wolf who was on the pallet seemed very, very ill. If he was standing, he would be tall, though. He looked very similar to Moonbell. He was a more, how do you say, masculine shade of pink than Moonbell, but he was mostly creamy white and he did look very pale.

His eyes were deep blue and his face was kind and very gentle, yet fierce and stern. He had a nasty cough and everybody seemed very sad. Winter knew she had seen him many times, but she had no idea who he was. He mostly stayed in his cave, and sometimes wolves would walk in, seeming concerned, but then walk out, looking relieved and content.

Winter thought he was a big deal and now took into account that he was sick. He could… get more sick and possibly die. This made Winter very sad and she was more curious and very anxious to see what would happen to him.

Mercury took some water and put the golden leaf in it, and mixed it, making the water turn a brilliant shade of gold as well. He took the mixture and let the sick wolf drink. Everyone waited anxiously but the ill wolf only coughed and everyone seemed sadder.

Winter suddenly realized that she recognized many people in this cave. Fang, who she thought might have even been crying. Luna, who was surely shedding tears. Moonwatcher, who was downright bawling. And Moonbell, she was sobbing. This made Winter so sad and a tear did roll down her face.

“What can we do?” asked Moonwatcher, concerned, and her voice choked by tears.

“I… Don’t know if anything can be done.” replied Mercury, looking equally concerned.

“But we must keep trying!” insisted Moonwatcher, sounding like she was going to cry more.

“I… I will try more healer’s drink. Maybe he needs more boosts. The first dose did no good.”

“You must… You must keep trying.” Moonwatcher walked over to the sick wolf and sat down gently beside him. “Oh my sweet Nova. Be strong for us. Please.” she closed her eyes and a tear came down her face. “You can make it. You can. We all know you can.”

All she got in reply was a cough and a very weak voice, “I- I am trying, darling… If I do not make it-“

“Yes???”

“I know you will be the greatest leader of the pack. You are the best mate and already… already the greatest mother. I hope… I hope Moonbell grows up to be just like you…”

Moonbell started sobbing more and so did Moonwatcher.

“You will make it! You will, father!” said Moonbell.

And now, as it started to rain, Winter’s presence was noticed because she started sobbing, too.

All of this pain was unbearable. Especially to Moonwatcher and Moonbell, for this sick wolf was Nova, Moonbell’s father and Moonwatcher’s mate. Winter had inferred this and now she was reminded of the time she lost her loved ones.

Sadness washed over everyone, like the water in the waterfall did during a hot summer day. But this was not refreshing. In fact, it was most likely the complete opposite, and everyone could understand that.

Suddenly a wolf appeared. He was black as could be and had bright yellow eyes, like his body the night sky and his eyes the two brightest stars. He looked, if possible, a wolf that resembled Winter in an opposite way. While he was dark, dark black, Winter was vibrant white.

They had a similar build. Both healthy and slender and they both looked like excellent runners and both were. They had a similar facial features, but Winter had a large scar on her ear and leg, and he had a clean face and only one huge scar on his side.

Everybody in the cave paused to look at him and everybody waited. He suddenly spoke. His voice was low and husky as he said, 

“I am aware of your dilemma. Alas, it is a sad one.” he paused and thought. “But…” everyone looked eager and desperate. “But, I have a solution. You have made healers drink from the leaves of the Healers Tree, but you have been doing it wrong.”

A choir of gasps filled the cave. 

“What do you mean??” asked Mercury, looking offended. “This is the way the Moon pack has been doing it for centuries!”

“Yes, but that is only how you have done it centuries past. This is the present and soon the future, correct?”

“Just, please tell us what we’ve been doing wrong, and the right way to do it!” Moon watcher pleaded.

“I will, but…” he thought for a moment. “But, I will need three wolves to go with me to retrieve the ingredient you have missed for so many years. Leaves from the Healer’s Tree are now abundant, but the ingredient that saves lives is so sacred and forgotten, it is often hard to obtain.”

Everybody mumbled and no one seemed to know how to respond.

“You will need three quick and agile. And of course, three who can climb. The ingredient is on top of the highest mountain, Mount Lupus.” 

The cave echoed with gasps. Now the wolves stepped backwards. But, hesitantly, three stepped forward. Fang, Luna, and Winter.

The mysterious wolf looked them over quickly, nodded slightly, and without a second of consideration, he said, “I guess it is decided then. These three wolves will come with me. There is no time to lose. Come now.” and he turned and left.

Moon bell seemed shocked.

“Winter, no! You can’t do this, it’s… It’s my dad and I should go with that guy and find the ingredient. Even if it is on…” Moonbell shivered. “Mount Lupus…”

Winter looked into her eyes with a sad and serious look, while the other two comforted and promised Moonwatcher they would save Nova.

“I am doing this for you. Because, I don’t want you to know… how it feels…” Winter said. She looked at her locket sadly and then up at Moonbell one final time. 

Then, with that, she nodded at the others, turned, and they all started their somewhat dangerous departure from the Moon Pack, and their very dangerous journey to Mount Lupus.

Perfect Imperfection, a Poem by Riley

A Perfect Imperfection,

While perfections I have sought,

I can be so many things,

But be perfect, I cannot.

I’ve met a lot of people,

They’re just the same as me,

Perfect Imperfections,

And that’s all they’ll ever be.

It’s okay to make mistakes,

I’ll just fix them up again,

Perfectly Imperfect,

Is the one thing that I am.

I have many talents,

I have many joys,

But sometimes I’m rebellious,

Like when I make too much noise.

A Perfect Imperfection,

A unique little soul,

Sometimes I’m too reckless,

Sometimes I can’t be bold.

I don’t always follow the rules,

But I do on happy days,

I’m Perfectly Imperfect,
In all the perfect ways.

5 Things To Do When You Are Having a Sleepover or Party

You know when you're having a sleepover and you wait for it and wait for it and you're restless, thinking, "This is gonna be so much fun!!!" And then, Ding Dong! "They're here!"

-Five Minutes Later-

"What do you want to do? I'm bored."

So here it is! Five things to do at a sleepover or party.

1. Dance and listen to music.
2. Eat lots of food. And I mean lots.
3. Watch a movie in your Pjs and eat popcorn or another snack.
4. Sometimes, you can plan to try and pull an all-nighter, but sometimes its better to just SLEEP.
5. Build a fort. Grab some pillows, blankets, chairs, yada yada. It's actually pretty fun!

I hope these helped you to know what to do when it comes to the point where you want to have fun but you're so bored you don't know what to do. Happy Thursday!

Quote Of The Day

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Quote of the day

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”

- Albus Dumbledore

Chapter Four: Past, Future, and a present

It had been about a week since Winter had fallen on that shore. A week since she had been bit by that Orca Whale. And a week since she had wept because her family was taken from her.

She often went back to that shore, and sat on the sandy ground, right before sunset; so that when night came, she could wish on the first star, wishing for the same thing every night. And after she made her wish, she would sit still for hours, telling herself “Remember...”

She had not yet visited the shore tonight, so she was trotting along, back to the spot she sat every night. Winter, as brave and fearless as she was, had developed a few fears to certain things she had encountered. She always was very careful for bears when she walked through the forest.

She was careful for Orcas when near the ocean; although Luna had told her whales being this close to shore was silly (and Winter knew this too, but was cautious all the same). She also hated (and feared) hunters, and was glad she had so many fellow wolves to protect her, for, they too, hated hunters.

She was there now, sitting on the sandy shore. Winter felt the breeze blow, listening to the songs of the birds. She longed to have something to sing about. She saw the squirrels chase each other and and scamper up trees. She once again spotted the first star to show up in the dark sky, and it was shining as bright as ever.

Winter had a feeling about her wish tonight. Something about the breeze just felt… magical.

Closing her eyes, Winter wished on the star, like she did every night, for the same thing: A sign. After wishing, she kept her eyes closed, still. Then she felt something brush against her paw. Before opening her eyes, she felt it was damp, and the top was smooth, just a little worn out. It was a rounded rectangle shape, and rough around the edges.

Winter opened her eyes, and saw at her feet “A leather book?” Winter was puzzled, yet very curious, so she turned the cover and opened it up. On the first page, there was a picture of a wolf that looked exactly like her, only, younger. Winter remembered a mysterious device her father had stolen from a human’s home, which they found out produced images when you pressed a button. Underneath the picture there were scratches and paw prints that would look like a mess to humans, but to wolves were read as “Born on December 20.” Underneath that, Winter read “Name: Winter.”

Winter’s eyes were wide open in surprise and astonishment! She scavenged through the torn pages, but most of their scratches and paw prints (writing) was smeared and messed up; But, at the back of the book, something shiny and silver fell out with a piece of damp, torn paper. A note!

The note had a paw print on the back (made with ink from a human home). On the inside of the folded paper were more scratches that Winter read “You have been blessed with things beyond your knowing, yet I have been blessed equally, because you are my daughter.” 

Winter thought about this, then read on.

 “I want you to stay strong, for, if you are reading this, something truly bad has happened to me; but I will watch over you. Every night, when you howl at the moon, you will see me.

Love, Father.”

Winter looked up at the moon, and could make out a face, the face of her father, who was smiling at her. She howled at the moon, the loudest and strongest she could. She heard it echo, then looked at the glistening, silver object that had fallen out along with the note.

It was a locket in the shape of a snowflake, and it opened up. Inside, was a picture of her as a tiny little pup, and two wolves, her mother and her father. She looked at that picture for awhile, remembering her father’s face, and her mother’s soft voice. She lifted the locket up with her muzzle, and nudged it onto her neck.

It was almost the same shade of color as her fur, so it hid fairly easy if she tried to make it unnoticeable. She grabbed the book, the note still inside, with her mouth, and went across the beach, through the thick barrier of trees, and into the main den. 

All the pups were asleep, and the adults, busy, but Moonbell was awake. She was waiting for Winter, like always, in the corner where she slept. Once Winter arrived, she told Moonbell everything, and now Moonbell knew Winter’s name.

“Winter, who’s this?” asked Moonbell, turning to a page with another photograph on it.

It was a picture of Winter, a little bit older now, her mother, and a tiny pup, who was smiling. In the picture, Winter was smiling, too, and snuggling with the adorable bundle of fur and joy, and her mother was smiling as well.

Under the picture, Winter read “Born in October”, and underneath that, Winter read “Name: Autumn. The warmest thing we’ve had all fall”. It seemed to all be coming back to Winter now.

“My sister.” Winter answered. “That’s my sister!”

Moonbell stared at the picture. “Really?’’ she asked, surprised.

“Yes, my sister, Autumn.”

Moonbell quickly fell asleep when it was bedtime, but Winter looked at the picture in her locket, and slowly fell asleep, dreaming about her family, and she knew she was safe, until she woke up again to the real world, where she wasn't with her real family anymore.

But when she woke up, she would protect. No one was taking her loved ones this time.