Birds chirped happily high in the trees. Their songs carrying out across the Forest like cries of joy, thanking the gods for the first taste of sweet Spring. The rain clouds had rolled away over night, surprising many of the inhabitants with the bright, warm sun's smile. The Forest glowed as new life sprouted. Flower buds began to open; their pedals adding dashes of color to the green canvas of the hillsides. The trees' leaves began to appear, clothing the bear branches yet again. The frogs dug themselves out of their winter dens, cleaning off the mud with their first swim of the season. Their loud croaks adding bass to the silent strum of the water as it splashed gently onto the banks.
The water was still cool to the touch, causing a chill to spread over Paavo's body. Shivering, he leaped out of the creak. His damp golden pelt sparkled in the afternoon sunlight once again. He spread his legs and shook his whole body sending hundreds of small water droplets flying off his fur. While a heavy feeling continued to sit within him, a refreshing comforting feeling rushed over him as the mud had washed away.
A gentle breeze blew past him. His fur and goatee swaying as the gusts brushed again him. Another shiver shot down him; he needed to dry himself or the chill would never leave. Typically he would have darted through the Forest, allowing the warm air to dry him as he ran just as he had done months ago but the free feeling he once had had vanished almost completely. As he watched other deer run and dance in the distant, Paavo gave a low sigh as he turned towards the bridge.