I open my eyes to fresh dawn shining through the spring leaves of the birch trees. The early 'kaa's' of the near-by raven and 'cooing' of the morning doves travel to my ears on a warm slight breeze. I'm the last in the small herd I'm traveling with to stir after our long rest. I stretch my tired legs and hurry to where the the adults are gathering up the group of young fawns I've played with for the last couple days. They're romping around excitedly in the aromas of the forest flowers between the circle of gathered elders. Something seems to be floating in the air, a kind of excitement. Even the adults look enthused for the days events. I quickly join in the celebration of whatever the day has in store, and prance into the fun, rearing up in the youthful play. After a couple pretend sparring matches with my fellow fawns, the adults signal that they are ready to start moving. Bummed that I didn't have time for a quick dance, I sulk into the rear position of the moving herd, but no sooner forget as my playful friends fill me once again with excitement! We run abound on the moss floor, weaving between the stern moving adults and shooting beneath their massive bodies. We even begin to make games of dodging the falling leaves and floating dogwood fuzz. I was just coming out of a patch of clovers chasing one of the other fawns when I ran smack dead into the lower legs of one of the big deer. Rolling backwards and looking up I saw the unmoved muscular legs and hind quarter of a very large, red-pelted deer. He turned his head slowly around and looked down disapprovingly. I shuddered back in fear, quivering at the magnificently monstrous figure and huge antlers that sit upon his head, but he quickly reached down to nuzzle me and let me know I was okay. Before I could return any affection the running fawns around me caught my attention. I watched as they ran into a grand opening before them, bleating and kicking their joy. My body stiffened and I thought maybe in this instance I had even grown a couple inches. My tail and ears fully erect as I take in the wondrous sight that lay in front of me. 'Is it possible for over-excitement to break your legs?' I think to myself. As I search in my head for the power switch to my muscles, a single thought somehow made it through to the front of my mind....... 'The Meadow!!!'



I don't know about anybody else, but when I hear 'The Meadow!' I instantly think Bambi....lol. I know there are open places around the forest that can somewhat resemble a field or valley, but I can't help but think what a great addition to an endless forest this would make. Another great landmark! Where shall we go today? The Ruins? The Playground? The Waterhole? I know!! The Meadow!!! To frolic through sunshine and waves of tall grass, and dance with the butterflies and whoever should pass.