I saw the wolf
standing in the long swaying grass. She was beautiful to behold but
seeing her when I wasn't expecting to see any wildlife was shocking
and exciting. It was a warm afternoon and a gentle breeze was blowing
the grass back and forth. In the trees overhead I could hear the
peeping of little birds and in the distance came the odd voice of the
raven. I was backpacking and I stopped to rest in the shade, opening
my pack and taking out some food to eat. I had just placed my
stainless steel water bottle beside me when I felt eyes on me.
Fearful for several seconds that I wasn't alone and had unwanted
company I looked up. It was then I beheld the wolf standing there,
alert and curious. She had to be curious to reveal her presence to
me.
Stunned I sat
there and stared at her, taking in her wild loveliness and her
boldness. Why would a wild wolf expose herself to danger by letting a
human see her? I didn't know. I could conclude she felt I was no
threat but that still didn't answer why she would show herself to me.
Why would a wolf be curious about a human?
While I was
struggling with these thoughts the wolf stepped a few paces closer to
me. I held my breath, trying not to move. No way did I want to
frighten the wolf away. I was hungry and thirsty from the hours I had
already been backpacking but all that was quickly forgotten. My full
attention was on the wolf. I was thrilled beyond belief as she moved
closer to me. She held her head high, ears turned toward me and her
bushy tail slowly swished back and forth a few times.
The wolf was
slowly but surely coming closer to me. A raven landed in a tree top
overhead, calling out loudly. I noticed but barely. I thought I heard
a whine coming from the wolf as she inched even closer but I wasn't
sure. I did know I couldn't hold my body still for much longer.
Already I was starting to feel the pain of holding it as motionless
as possible. I needed to shift in a most painful way. I didn't want
to scare the wolf but I couldn't take the pain of not moving.
So I took the
risk of shifting my body to relieve the pain. I watched the wolf as I
did, fearful I was about to frighten her away. The moment I shifted
she became hyper alert, sort of jerking her body back an inch or two.
She froze the next second, muzzle slightly parted, tail held higher
and her yellowish green eyes bright with what ever emotion she was
feeling. But the wolf didn't turn and melt back into the forest. No,
she kept her position and continued watching me.
I sighed in
relief and wondered where this encounter was going. I had to eat,
drink and get on with my backpacking. I had a few more hours to put
behind me before I reached the cabin that many cross country
backpackers used for the night. I needed to get going soon. I looked
at the wolf and decided to risk eating and drinking. Sitting up
straighter I opened a food pack and started eating and drank from my
stainless steel water bottle. The wolf sat down, wrapped her tail
around her feet and watched me. I didn't know what to think except
that I was overly pleased the wolf hadn't taken off.
I finished
eating with the wolf watching me. The warm breeze rustled the tree
limbs overhead and the swaying grass. The birds continued their
peeping in the branches overhead and the ravens flew back and forth
calling out. The wolf watched and seemed to be waiting
Once I was
finished eating I put all my stuff back in my backpack and slung it
into position on my back, settling it in place. The wolf stood as I
did this. “Well, wolf, I gotta go. It was totally pleasing to be in
your company.” I nodded to the wolf and turned to continue on my
journey. I heard a noise behind me and turned just enough to see. The
wolf was there, following behind me a few feet. I smiled and
continued on walking, making my way along the path I had been
following.
The wolf
followed behind me all the miles I had to go to reach the cabin where
I would be staying for the night. I wondered if the wolf would be
waiting for me in the morning. Somehow I felt she would be. Time
would tell.