Winter was hard. Game is scarce. The man-creatures have taken it all. I ate a hare two days ago, but it was old and scrawny. I'm getting rather scrawny myself. Too weak to chase serious game, even if I could find it. I'm reduced to eating small and sickly creatures. And the hunger is incessant.

~~~

I miss my mate. She was a bold huntress. How we loved to run together in the chase! Many a proud buck was brought down by my stength and her cunning. But the winter hit hard and prey were few, so we ventured out of the woods. She was wary from the start. That was the man-creature's land and they were very protective of their animals, she said. What match is a puny man-creature for such as us, I retorted? She was reluctant, but hunger soon suceeded where argument failed.

I still don't know how it happened. There in the fields: a huge flock of delicious sheep ready for the taking. We darted in and made our kill in seconds. The man-creatures were there but far off. They cried out, but they had not the speed nor the strength to take us. Together we were dragging the carcass back into the woods. The taste of blood in my mouth set my stomach rumbling in pleasant anticipation.

A loud crack made me start. The man-creatures made the noise, and it frightened me. Without thinking, I abandoned our meal and ran. On reaching the woods I looked back regretfully at the lost meal and waited for my mate to join me.

She never did.

I did not venture into man-creature lands again.

~~~

I spied a man-creature in the woods today. Her fur is brilliant red. She is only a pup I think, smaller than the rest, tenderer. Perhaps... perhaps she will give me something to eat.

~~~

It is shameful for a hunter to beg. At least my mate was not there to see me whimper and fawn like a common hound. The man-creature showed no fear of me. Who could fear such a contemptable sight? She offered me food from the basket she was taking to her elder. Man-food is not proper food for wolves.

Still, maybe this elder will have meat to share. The red man-pup is frolicking in the woods, but I have spied the track she was taking. I will go there and beg or steal what I may.

The sweet scent of the man-pup lingers in my nostrils. So hungry. I must eat soon.

~~~

I have eaten the elder man-creature.

It was a mistake, I know. Men are not the proper food for wolves. And she was old and sickly. I feel sick now too. The red man-pup is on her way. There will be trouble if she finds her elder gone. I should go. But my stomach hurts, and the elder's bed is warm and soft. I might just lay here awhile.

Perhaps if I cover the entrances and darken the elder's den, the red pup will think she is away in the woods and will leave me alone. Then I can return to the woods later. I just need a moment's rest.

~~~

I have eaten the little red man-creature.

I heard her at the door and hoped she would go away. She persisted in her calling, but I remained silent and concealed myself under the bedclothes. I thought she would leave me be, but my stomach ached, my head hurt, and a whine escaped my lips.

She heard me, I think, and mistook me for her sick elder. I drew the discarded pelt of the elder over me, hoping she'd make her delivery and go. But she had the curiosity of all young pups and wouldn't leave me be. She spied my eyes, my ears, my fur and knew something was amiss. A sensible pup would have fled, but she just stared and drew closer to the bed. Her scent overwhelmed me and months of gnawing hunger took control.

There will be trouble now, I know it. The man-creatures protect their young fiercely. I should get away. But I am so tired. My stomach is full for the first time in months. I will just rest here a moment and then go.

~~~

Mmm... my stomach is full, this den is warm and the bed is soft. I hear a noise outside, and the smell of freshly killed deer. Perhaps it is my mate returning from the hunt. It will be good to see her again.