Daisy and the Mossy Log: A Deer’s Leap of Courage

the log was a bridge and a dare it lay across the chattering creek a giant fallen oak slick with green moss just last week we saw how camilla the chameleon learned that her true colors were the ones that made her feel brave the daisy the deer felt a similar pull a need to be seen as something more she was nearly a yearling all long legs and oversized ears she felt grown she felt ready her mother however saw the swift current under the log she saw the slippery bark not alone little one her mother had said that morning her voice soft as milkweed fluff the creek is running high we cross together or we find the

shallow ford downstream but the shallow ford was the long way the slow way the fawns way daisy wanted to be on the other side now the sweetest clover grew there kissed by the morning sun she could almost taste it she watched as her mother and the other does headed toward the ford daisy lingered she waited until they were just a flicker of brown and white through the trees then she turned back to the log her heart thumped a quick rhythm against her ribs a squirrel chittered from a branch above as if offering an opinion she ignored it this was her mountain to climb her creek to cross she took a tentative step placing one delicate

hoof on the rough bark at the edge of the bank it felt solid see it was fine she took another step her weight shifted the moss beneath her hoof was like wet silk she slid just an inch but it was enough she scrambled back her ears hot with embarrassment even though no one was there to see the cold water of the creek lapped at her hoof the shock of it made her jump she stood on the bank shivering a little watching the water swirl around the log it looked faster now deeper the sun was no longer directly overhead long shadows began to stretch from the trees painting dark stripes across the forest floor the air

grew cooler she knew she should follow her mother the smart thing the safe thing was to find the ford but the thought of admitting defeat was worse than the cold water the thought of trotting up to her mother tail down was unbearable i can do this she told herself i just have to be more careful she took a deep breath she didn't just step this time she looked she saw a patch of bark where the moss was thin a spot where a knot in the wood offered a better grip she planned her first three steps like a general planning a campaign one two three she was on the log fully on the world looked different from here she was higher up suspended over the rushing water the creek wasn't just chattering anymore it was roaring in her ears she focused she stared straight ahead at the opposite bank she could see the patch of clover it looked so green so close

another step her thin leg trembled she was a quarter of the way across then halfway each placement of a hoof was a victory her confidence began to return this wasn't so hard her mother worried too much she was strong she was capable she was a gust of wind came tunneling down the creek bed it rattled the leaves above her and pushed against her flank it wasn't a strong wind but it was unexpected she wobbled her eyes darted down to the water and that was her mistake the swirling dizzying current rushed beneath her the world tilted panic cold and sharp seized her muscles she froze her front hooves were on one side of a slick patch

of moss her back hooves on the other she couldn't go forward she couldn't go back every muscle screamed at her to move but her mind was a white blank of fear all she could hear was the water all she could feel was the terrifying empty space beneath her the sun dipped below the tree line the forest was sinking into a deep blue twilight she was utterly completely stuck and she was alone the host sounds like the favorite teacher warm clear softly expressive unhurried reassuring minutes stretched into an eternity a tear welled in her eye hot against her cold face a

tiny pathetic sound escaped her throat it was barely a squeak she was so focused on her own fear she almost didn't hear the other sound a soft rustle in the undergrowth on the bank she just left her head snapped up two pairs of eyes glowed in the gathering dark her mother and her older brother leo they weren't at the clover patch they had come back for her her mother didn't scold she didn't say i told you so she just took a step closer to the bank and called her name daisy that one word spoken with such warmth and worry broke the spell the pride that had held her rigid and silent crumbled away and all

that was left was a small very scared fawn stuck on a log over a dark creek she let out a real sound this time a frightened wavering bleat a call for help leo didn't hesitate he was bigger his legs sturdier he walked onto the log with a confidence daisy couldn't imagine he moved slowly deliberately until he was right beside her he didn't nudge her he didn't push he just stood there a solid warm presence in the terrifying twilight see here he murmured his voice low he dipped his head pointing with his nose there's a ridge in the bark right there put your hoof there daisy looked through her fear she saw it a tiny lip

of wood almost invisible she shifted her weight sliding her hoof a few inches to the spot it helped good leo said now the other one just past the greenest moss step by trembling step he talked her across he was her guide her anchor he didn't carry her he just showed her the way when her hoof finally touched the soft earth of the far bank her legs gave way and she sank to the ground shaking her mother was there instantly nuzzling her licking her wet fur murmuring soft sounds there was no anger in her touch only relief only love they didn't mention the clover they didn't talk about the dare they just stood together for a

long moment as the first stars began to appear in the sky then as one they turned and began the walk home daisy walked between her mother and her brother she had crossed the creek she had made it to the other side but she hadn't done it alone she learned something important on that log suspended between the woods and the water independence isn't about never needing help real strength is knowing when to ask for it the log was still a bridge but it was no longer a dare it was just part of the path and she knew now she would never have to walk it by herself