DRAGON LONGZE ENCOUNTERS FREYA ( BY BOST, 2026- PART 1)

There existed once a remote village well hidden at high elevation at the foothills of a towering mountain. Four decades ago, the village had been established there by the defeated kingdom Tenner’s warriors, five dissident gentry and some tradesmen and shopkeepers plus few surviving ordinary resilient members plus their families, all having deliberately chosen to be free rather than live under subjugation of the new oppressive (brutal) tyrannical regime that had treated their kind/race as a second-class citizens.

01- VILLAGE

The hardy settlers of this independent village, living at the fringe of civilized world (self-reliant and mostly, cut off from society, the rest of the Nation/ world), had adapted to their new way of life, most by choosing to be hunters and gatherers. There were of course a cattle ranch owned by three recluse aristocrats that mostly kept to himself, a sheep homestead (farmstead) with about thirty sheep, and two thriving horse ranches, which supplied the necessary requirements of the villagers. Only a small group had chosen to work the land and produce medicinal plants, edible roots or grow some grain that could be made into a course (granular, grainy) flour.

This autonomous (self contained)  villagers had  only one blacksmith’s workshop, a single tavern (that was also an Inn) where local man drunk lager beer and gossiped or played cards; a magistrate’s office with three cells (jails); a trading post which was actually a general store that supplied the necessary provisions, such as cloth, blankets, nails, axes, some useful tools and weaponry (for protection) as well as, salt, flour, grain, beans and sometimes coffee (or something resembling it, from the harvested beans they grew on the eastern slopes); a small but thriving bakery that specialized in fluffy pastries; a cobbler (shoemaker) that specialized in custom-made sturdy leather boots particularly for hiking; a tailor shop that did repairs; and of course for the devout citizens, a small church ( with small congregation and a non nonsense priest) and a bell tower.

02- MAYOR GUDMUND KIRK

This small habitation had as well an elected elder serving as the town’s Mayor Gudmund Kirk who was from an old aristocratic family; and as far as politicians go, he was an honest, honorable, conscientious Mayor. mayor: why he’d been re-elected time after time, to be the mayor; his wife Selma was a gracious lady, which fostered (promoted) many charities that benefited the disadvantaged citizens of the village, among them, the destitute peasants, needy individuals and the orphans of warriors lost in combat. Gudmund had three sons: Agil and Corey both were married off at eighteen and lived as prosperous ranchers outside of the village, holding vast lands, the youngest son Hagen, though he had just turned eighteen, was the only one still unmarried and still lived at home. Mayor Gudmund’s erudite (learnt, scholarly) bookish assistant, meanwhile, who had been with the family for two decades, always kept the account books in perfect order.

This village was situated at the edge of a dense coniferous forest, at the foothills of the towering mountain with its summit always covered in ice and snow. At its summit, the four serrated peaks that reached all the way up to Heavens, were perpetually shrouded in miasmic (mist and) clouds.

 The ominous, virtually impenetrable (dense, dark) forest with its tall ancient pines that blocked out the light, was populated with abundant wild fowls (birds), deer, wild boar, hare and (diverse sort) sundry of animals and predatory (carnivorous) beasts; and some folk in town claimed, even phantom beings, as well a dragon, dwelt (resided) there.

                                                                                  

                                                                                            

03B- HANS AQUILA- JP

At the outskirts of this remote village and at the periphery of this dark forest, stood one or two lonely, modest size dwellings, with small surrounding lands, one of which had belonged to Hans Aquila, the hunter; after the tragic demise of his wife three winters past, he dwelled there with his son Alec who was seventeen winters old and his lovely daughter Freya soon to be sixteen winters old. The closeness of their age had made the siblings remarkably tight and Alec, knowing his younger sister’s innocent, trusting, naïve nature had always been very protective of Freya.

 May happened to be Freya’s favorite month; for then the birds (cuckoos) would be singing, and the air was fragrant with scent of blossoms. And the abundant grass then begun to grow taller and thicker in the fields (the land around their dwelling), as the sun then shone brightly overall. One such morning the balm and the gladness of the spring morning greeted the young siblings, Freya and Alec and their beloved father Hans, as they with coffee cup in hand sat at the porch steps, together chatting and talking about nothing specific.

And at the end of the chore filled, busy day, when the evening sun set and after repast, the stars came out one by one in the soft and darkening turquoise of a May twilight, in the happy dwelling, peace and joy typically reigned in the hearts of the three habitants who then sat by the hearth and watched the dancing flames for a time, as they listened to Han’s occasional, hair-raising past adventures, before they retired to their respective beds.

Of course, in that vicinity there lived few other hunters and ranchers, but they were not solitary, they had a spouses and kids, had horses and sheep, though they too, mostly kept to themselves.

04- WARRIOR ERLAND

Hans Aquila ‘s closest neighbor warrior Erland, was an excentric recluse warrior, who’s ranch (homestead) had included a barn and about a dozen horses that grazed in a fenced in area, which he managed all by himself. He had inherited the property nine month’s prior when the original occupant, another solitary warrior, had suddenly passed away; but before he did, he had bequeathed the property to his long-time acquaintance (comrade) and friend Erland. Erland was an austere (grim, unsmiling, stern) handsome, redhaired, green eyed, a bearded, stout man about thirty, a confirmed bachelor, simply known as Erland, with no last name, living at the fringe of the Village, same as them.

Freya was the only one, who was undeterred by the warrior Erland’s unfriendly and almost hostile demeanor, furthermore, she believed that he had a good, honest soul; and so, whenever she encountered him, even from the distance, she never failed to greet him with her sincere smile and by the raised, friendly wave of her hand. His stone heart had eventually thawed towards her, just a bit, by her persistent, though respectful and friendly approach. Eventually his stern gaze, his scowl (glare, frown) softened, and he began responding to her persistently deferential, innocent and sweet salutations, with the slight, curt (brisk) nod of his head, as acknowledgment.

                                                                                        ~

 

Hans Aquila being a competent, a mighty hunter, on occasion accompanied by his son Alec, both would often fearlessly ventured into the depths of foreboding forest, armed with only a bow and quiver of arrows, emerging from it four or six days later, loaded with pelts of predatory animals which Hans then would trade for supplies; as well, hares (rabbit) and one or two bucks (deer), for their sole sustenance (food) as these would last for good length of time.

Most of the game’s choice parts, the meat, within a day was promptly cut off into strips, salted and then set to dry on racks, for their use in later months, while a small portion of it was always reserved for their current use. Freya taking charge of another aspect of it, the seasoned meat would then be made into a hearty, nutritious, succulent (tasty) stew; the slow-cooked meal in a cauldron (cast iron pot), meat simmering along with some wild anions and roots (sweet potatoes) and wild herbs, which Freya collected, at the hearth (fireplace), the casserole soon filled the cabin with delightful, delicious, savory smells. Subsequently, they would enjoy a typical, joyful, evening meal.

05- FREYA

Freya allowing herself a brief respite, stood now by the window, as she sipped coffee from her steaming cup and pensively looked over at the distant ranch; her thoughts were of that lonely warrior Erland who would that very night be sitting down at his table to consume a lonely, perhaps bland and coarse (unsavory meal) repast. She could not help it, but her heart ached for him; suddenly however, having resolved to do the right thing, she rushed back to the hearth.

At dusk that day, Freya bravely giving in to her impulse, carried the small portion of the cooked stew in a clay dish (bowl) placed in her basket and, for the first time ever, trespassed into his property. She then, with quick determined steps climbing the four stairs of his porch and going over left her basket containing the steaming stew and a loaf of freshly baked bread wrapped in a cloth, in front of Erland’s door.  Her heart palpitating wildly, she knocked on the door and hastily retreated into distance before he had a chance to answer the door. She halted few paces away in the middle of the field however and half turned to peak; their eyes met, as he had just then answered the door and, discovering her offering she had left behind.

06- WARRIOR ERLAND

She expected him to be cross with her, but instead, after a curious stare, his grimace (scowl, frown) had unexpectedly softened and replaced with a slight smile as he simply, politely nodded his thanks to her. Afterwards, he bent to pick up the basket and went inside, swiftly closing the door behind him.

Her heart filled with glee (delight, joy), she quickly returned to their dwelling. She had just laid out the plates and cutlery on the table when her father and Alec returned, with a special package they had just purchased after their transaction in Village shop. She was delighted to see that it was a beautifully tailored (sawn), blue dress with beige intricate lace around the lapel (collar, neckline); her heart bursting with joy, she hugged them both in thanks.

Later that night, over dinner she told her father and Alec of what she had done earlier. Hans had frowned at first but then shrugged his shoulders knowing Erland was an honourable man; he shook his head few minutes later however, imagining the daring, impossible scene, then let out a hearty laugh.  Alec looked at his sister with loving affection tinged with worry, hoping her good nature would not one day, land her in any trouble.

07- GIFT BASKET OF THANK YOU

Few days later, the basket was returned, mysteriously appearing at their doorstep at just before dawn, filled with rare fruit, cheese, jar of hard-candies and exquisite pastries, purchased from the Village shops.  And the note that simply said: Many thanks. There was one item however, tugged at the corner, that Freya absolutely treasured, and this was a small silver heart pendant with an ornate initial F on it, fastened on a chain. She wore it from thence always on her neck. Freya had of course wanted to thank warrior Erland in person for this gift, but her aim was deterred by the sound reasoning from her father.

As it were, Erland thereafter, for three weeks, had remained absent from his homestead (ranch); he had gone on a hunt. This was not unusual, as he had done so in the past; meanwhile, a trusted warrior, whom he had occasionally employed (engaged), was seen again taking care of the place during his absence.

 

                                                                                ~

Back in the Village, meanwhile, typically, in any close society there would exist some unsavory elements and there was therefore a group of young men close to Alec’s age, which had formed a secret clique of their own. At the head of this menacing group was Jedrick, an egotistical, malicious (malevolent, nasty, cruel, wicked) strong-arm bully. He kept this dark side of him well hidden from his betters however, appearing instead a respectful, courteous, in short, a suave (smooth, polite, charming), debonair young man. He was tall, handsome looking and had an athletic built, he was agile and possessed a sharp intellect. He, being the sole son of Head of security, the former aristocrat Elof Bijarke, he never lacked for anything and always got his way; moreover, he was good at wielding his sword, and on every encounter, bested any opposition without fail. His father had always held high hopes for him and unaware of his son’s dark side, had hoped that one day he would take on the position of head of security, after his retirement.

08  JEDRICK

At the last summer solstice, during the festival, Jedrick’s wanton gaze had fallen of unsuspecting Freya accompanying her brother through the many stalls that sold custom made shiny trinkets and delightful treasures of all kinds: anything from custom made books, brushes, hair pins, gem crusted small keepsake boxes, golden necklaces, silver inlaid bracelets or rings, antiquate designed vests, combs, rare herbs, intricate laces, toys, specialty deserts and much more. Jedrick had made his inappropriate move on her when for a second her brother Alec had left her site to purchase a secret surprise gift for her upcoming birthday. 

The two antagonists (rivals), Alec and Jedrick, whenever they had accidentally (by coincidence) met in the village squire, without fail they had always clashed. Jedrick with all his advantages, at every contentious (combative) engagement, however, whether it be verbal or physical, infuriatingly so, had failed to trounce (defeat, hammer) Alec. Furthermore, Jedrick had been quietly weary of Alec, understanding that Alec possessed unwavering (staunch) inner strength, stalwart integrity, and obstinate grit (bravery, tenacity, fortitude) Jedrick lacked. Moreover, Alec was an astute observer and had at every instance seen through Jedrick’s deceptive mask (persona) and his false decorum (affability, decency); and then fearlessly he’d exposed (revealed, laid bare) Jedrick’s deception (deceit, called him on it), shaming (defaming) him. Jedrick downright (absolutely) had retaliated then, by persistently spreading unfounded defamatory (slanderous) gossip about Alec and once or twice had even covertly tried to insidiously (perniciously, spitefully) corrupt Alec. He had gone through a lot of trouble (called in favors, bribed, or covertly threatened people) and spent outrageous amount of money; however, in the end, he had still utterly and miserably failed debasing Alec. Subsequently, having run out of all other options but still hoping to contain this threat, or subdue this bane (nuisance, blight), Jedrick this time had tried to recruit Alec into his secret brotherhood (gang). But Alec would have none of it. 

09- ALEC

On that day at summer solstice festival, Alec yet again opposing Jedrick had stoically and valiantly defended his sister’s honor; furthermore, with mettle had accepted the privately issued challenge for the ultimate (highest stakes) duel. 

 

 

(END OF PART 1)

THE HUNTER AND THE BOBCAT (REVISED 2025)

THE HUNTER AND THE BOBCAT 

(REVISED BY BOST 2025)

Once there was a great hunter and his family who lived, at high altitude and in a remote part of the Northern wilderness. As they were a long distance from any other dwelling or settlement, it was seldom that they saw any faces other than those of their own household.

The mighty hunter, tall, stout, with long shoulder length black hair and raven black eyes, was nevertheless content living in isolation, for he had a fair wife and two healthy, boisterous sons. Sons that were so much like him in both character and in temperament. One day they will also be a mighty hunters same as him. He was glad of that. But for now, each day his two young sons were left in the lodge while he went out hunting in quest of the game whose flesh was their primary source of food. 

Game was very abundant in those days and his labors in the hunt and chase were often well rewarded. His two sons were still too young to accompany him and so all day long they were free to play make believe and discover things so long as they played within the confines of the lodge.

Observant as they were, they once espied a young man who visited the lodge during their father’s absence, and noted that these visits became more frequent as time went by.

Curiosity winning over, once the elder of the two asked his mother in all innocence:

"Mommy, tell us who this tall young man is that comes here so often during our father's absence.  Does the stranger wished to see father, but misses him? Shall we tell father when he comes back this evening so he can delay his departure time just a little?"

"Donquri, you little fool," said the mother angrily, "this is grown up business, mind your bow and arrows, and do not be afraid to enter the forest in search of birds and squirrels, with your little brother. It is not manly to be ever about the lodge. Nor will you ever grow up to become a warrior if you tell fibs or all the little things that you see and hear to your father. Say not a word to him about this."

The boys obeyed, but as they grew older and still noticed the visits of the stranger, their gut feeling being ill at ease, they resolved to speak again to their mother.

They now told her that they meant to make known to their father all that they had witnessed, for they frequently saw this young man passing through the woods, and he did not walk in the path, nor did he carry anything to eat. If he had any message to deliver at their lodge, why did he not give it to their father? For they had observed in other cases, that messages were always addressed to men, and not to women.

When her sons spoke thus to her, the mother was greatly perturbed. Fear took hold in her heart and she in great fury admonished them:

“You are still both young and have no real comprehension of things.  Hence, you should not interfere in adult concerns. If you insist with your meddling and cause trouble, I will be forced to be more severe. “She said, "I warn you both, do not speak of this to your father or me ever again!"

In fear they, for a time, held their peace, but still noted that the stranger’s frequent stealthy visits to the lodge persisted, they long at last resolved to brave any consequence and disclose this fact their father. Their loyalty to their father demanded it after all!

Accordingly, one day when they were out in the woods, by then having grown up and learned to follow the chase, they caught up with their father and quickly told him all that they had seen in the past.

They watched with worrying eyes as the anger manifested on their father’s face then grew unnaturally dark. He remained silent and still for a while, and when at length he looked up there was unholy fire flaming in his pupils.

"It is done!" he said. "My children I ask that you tarry here until the hour of the setting sun, and then come to the lodge and you will find me there."

In two shakes of a hat, he was at the lodge. The door flew open, and he barged right in resembling a big fierce bear ready to tear everything about him into smithereens.

But she was seated lone mending some tears in the children’s coats.

“Where is he?” He bellowed.

“Who?” She cried out in fear.

“You know very well who?” He murderously grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her senseless. “You broke your promise... Now I shall not beholden to my promise. I shall vanquish your kind one and all.” He growled at her.

She knew no amount of pleading will be of any use. He was heartless, a brutal hunter that had no compunction about killing entire species and wiping them from the mountains.  Long ago on that terrible day he’d cornered her and her younger brother after killing her parents, the two little bobcat pups were shivering with fright.

He was   about to deal both a death blow when she had stood in front of her brother to protect him and swore by the Great Spirit of the Mountains, that if spared, she would serve him (this brute) without complaint to the end of her days. The Great Spirit moved by pity, had answered her prayers, and turned her into a human. The hunter in turn had promised never to hunt her kind, so long as she stayed away even from her brother and served only him.  

Tears streamed from her face remembering that cursed day and all the miserable days after that when she was not free and missed her brother terribly.  Her only solace was that her kind was left alone from then on to thrive and hunt in the mountain whereas all other predators faced extinction without mercy from the Hunter. Some species were hunted to extinction. Meanwhile her brother had grown up among other bobcats that adopted him. Missing his sister terribly, he’d eventually tracked her scent and found her for the bond of kinship was very strong.

She was fearful for what the Hunter might do if he ever found out; still she could not help herself, for she loved her brother dearly. He called on her frequently and relayed to her all the news about her kind which somewhat mitigated her homesickness.

She pleaded and pleaded with the hunter for his mercy.  But he was bent on revenge and called on the Great Spirit to punish her.  The Great Spirit constrained by Heavenly laws, punished her for violating her promise; hence, she was turned into a horrid version of a Bobcat. And so from then on she was barred from having any contact with her children as well as being shunned by her own kind. Tragically, she was condemned to live a horrible existence for the duration of her natural life, always lurking in the shadows.

Meanwhile, the two ingrate sons, that had more their father’s genes (DNA) than their mother’s, remained sporting away the time till the hour for their return had come.

When they reached the lodge the mother was not there. They dared not to ask their father whither she had gone, and from that day forth her name was never spoken again in the lodge.

In the course of time the two boys grew to be men and, although the mother was nevermore seen neither in the lodge nor on the paths in the forest, nor by the river side, bound by maternal affection (love), she still lingered near the lodge.

Changed, but the same, with ghastly looks and arms that were withered, she appeared to her sons as they returned from the hunt, in the twilight.

At night she darkly unlatched the lodge-door and glided in and bent over them as they sought to sleep. Oftenest it was her bare brow, white, and bony, and bodiless, that they saw floating in the air, and making a mock of them in the wild paths of the forest, or in the midnight darkness of the lodge.

Fuelled with false facts, with outraged bias against her, the sons viewed their mother as a terror that hunted their peace and lives.  They cursed her existence for according to them she made every spot where they had seen her, hideous to the living eye. The hunter never witnessed such; still he was frustrated and grew somewhat weary of his sons’ complaints. Finally, his sons were resolved, together with their father, now stricken in years, to leave the wilderness.

They began a journey toward the South, where there would be settlements. After traveling many days along the shore of a great lake, they passed around a craggy bluff, and came upon a scene where there was a rough fall of waters, and a river issuing forth from the lake.

In pursuit of them the mother came out of the woods in the form of a giant, grotesque, rabid bobcat. At this moment, one of them looked out and saw a stately crane sitting on a rock in the middle of the rapids. They called out to the bird, "See, grandfather, how we are persecuted? Come and take us across the falls that we may escape her."

The crane so addressed was of extraordinary size, and had arrived at a great old age, and, as might be expected, he sat, when first described by the two sons, in a state of profound thought, revolving his long experience of life there in the midst of the most violent eddies.

When he heard himself appealed to, the crane stretched forth his neck with great deliberation, and lifting himself slowly by his wings, he flew across to their assistance.

"Be careful," said the old crane, "that you do not touch the crown of my head. I am bald from age and long service and very tender at that spot. Should you be so unlucky as to lay a hand upon it, I shall not be able to avoid throwing you both in the rapids."

They paid strict heed to his directions and were soon safely landed on the other shore of the river. He returned and carried the father in the same way; and then took his place once more where he had been first seen in the very midst of the eddies of the stream.

But the woman, who had by this time reached the shore, cried out, "Come, my grandfather, and carry me over, for I have lost my children, and I am sorely distressed."

The aged bird, now questioning his earlier judgement, at first obeyed her summons, and flew to her side. He was a suspicious sort and seeing how hideous she looked in her grotesque bobcat form, once more doubted her story.  She had to have been an evil spirit in pursuit. She would harm them soon as she crossed the water. And so feeling rather noble he harboured a secret desire to harm this evil spirit and defend them. He carefully repeated the warning, expecting her to disregard it, that she was not to touch the crown of his head. Outwardly he begged her to bear in mind that she should respect his old age, if there was any sense of virtue left in her.

She promised to obey; but they were no sooner fairly embarked in the stream, that instantly the crane cast her into the rapids, and shook his wings as if to free himself of all acquaintance with her.

“Why have you wronged me?” She cried as she sunk in the raging stream. The woman disappeared, was straightway carried by the rapid currents far out into the waters, and in the wide wilderness of shore-less depth, without companion or solace, and was lost forever.

“I’m preventing you from harming any other, you foul creature!” He responded very much pleased with himself for doing the noble thing. 

Suddenly however the gust of wind derailed him and unable to find his bearing, he too plummeted into the waters.

“What a fool!” The hunter gritted his teeth for the loss of such a fine meal. They picked themselves off the ground and trudged along to find some other game to satisfy their growing hunger.

The mountain spirit could stand this injustice no longer, and in one breath, turned the hunter and his sons all to field mouse.

They deservedly from then on live in fear and hunted by many.

Meanwhile, the mountain spirit, being merciful, had also breathed life into her lungs, and no, she did not perish as the rest had assumed. Her unconscious body was delicately carried off by torrents (fast flowing streams) to further down the river and reaching a tributary, therefore, missing the dangerous, cascading waterfall, she was gently deposited on the shoreline. Heaven works in mysterious ways; it so happened that her brother the bobcat had been in pursuit of a game which led him to that very spot where she was beached. To cut the long story short, the two siblings were re-united, and from then on, she lived blissfully (joyfully) among her kind, forsaking forever the human form, as a beautiful bobcat.

Fin

The Hunter and the Bobcat

The Hunter and the Bobcat

Once there was a great hunter and his family who lived in a remote part of the Northern wilderness, a long distance from any other lodge and it was seldom that they saw any faces other than those of their own household.

He was nevertheless content living in isolation, for he had a fair wife and two healthy, boisterous sons. Each day they were left in the lodge while he went out hunting in quest of the game whose flesh was their primary source of food. 

Game was very abundant in those days and his labors in the hunt and chase were often well rewarded. His two sons were still too young to accompany him and so all day long they were free to play make believe and discover things so long as they played within the confines of the lodge.

Observant as they were, they once espied a young man who visited the lodge during their father’s absence, and noted that these visits became more frequent as time went by. 

Curiosity winning over, once the elder of the two asked his mother in all innocence:

"Mommy, tell us who this tall young man is that comes here so often during our father's absence. Does the stranger wished to see father, but misses him? Shall we tell father when he comes back this evening so he can delay his departure time just a little?"

"Donquri, you little fool," said the mother angrily, "this is grown up business, mind your bow and arrows, and do not be afraid to enter the forest in search of birds and squirrels, with your little brother. It is not manly to be ever about the lodge. Nor will you ever grow up to become a warrior if you tell fibs or all the little things that you see and hear to your father. Say not a word to him about this."

The boys obeyed, but as they grew older and still noticed the visits of the stranger, their gut feeling being ill at ease, they resolved to speak again to their mother.

They now told her that they meant to make known to their father all that they had witnessed, for they frequently saw this young man passing through the woods, and he did not walk in the path, nor did he carry anything to eat. If he had any message to deliver at their lodge, why did he not give it to their father? For they had observed in other cases, that messages were always addressed to men, and not to women.

When her sons spoke thus to her, the mother was greatly perturbed. Fear took hold in her heart and she in great fury admonished them:

“You are still both young and have no real comprehension of things. Hence, you should not interfere in adult concerns. If you insist with your meddling and cause trouble, I will be forced to be more severe. “She said, "I warn you both, do not speak of this to your father or me ever again!"

In fear they, for a time, held their peace, but still noted that the stranger’s frequent stealthy visits to the lodge persisted, they long at last resolved to brave any consequence and disclose this fact their father. Their loyalty to their father demanded it after all!

Accordingly, one day when they were out in the woods, by then having grown up and learned to follow the chase, they caught up with their father and quickly told him all that they had seen in the past.

They watched with worrying eyes as the anger manifested on their father’s face then grew unnaturally dark. He remained silent and still for a while, and when at length he looked up there was unholy fire flaming in his pupils.

"It is done!" he said. "My children I ask that you tarry here until the hour of the setting sun, and then come to the lodge and you will find me there."

In two shakes of a hat he was at the lodge. The door flew open and he barged right in resembling a big fierce bear ready to tear all about him into smithereens.

But she was seated lone mending some tears in the children’s coats.

“Where is he?” He bellowed.

“Who?” She cried out in fear.

“You know very well who?” He murderously grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her senseless. “You broke your promise... Now I shall not beholden to my promise. I shall vanquish your kind one and all.” He growled at her.

She knew no amount of pleading will be of any use. He was heartless, a brutal hunter that had no compunction about killing entire species and wiping them from the mountains. On that day he’d cornered her and her younger brother after killing her parents, the two little bobcat pups were shivering with fright. 

He was about to deal both a death blow when she had stood in front of her brother to protect him and swore by the Great Spirit of the Mountains, that if spared, she would serve this brute without complaint to the end of her days. The Great Spirit had answered her prayers, and turned her into a human. The hunter in turn had promised never to hunt her kind, so long as she stayed away even from her brother and served only him. Tears streamed from her face remembering that cursed day and all the miserable days after that when she was not free and missed her brother terribly. Her only solace was that her kind was left alone from then on to thrive and hunt in the mountain whereas all other predators faced extinction without mercy from the Hunter. Some species were hunted to extinction. Meanwhile her brother had grown up among other bobcats that adopted him. Missing his sister terribly, he’d eventually tracked her scent and found her for the bond of kinship was very strong. 

She was fearful for what the Hunter might do if he ever found out; still she could not help herself, for she loved her brother dearly. He called on her frequently and relayed to her all the news about her kind which somewhat mitigated her homesickness.

She pleaded and pleaded with the hunter for his mercy. But he was bent on revenge and called on the Great Spirit to punish her. The Great Spirit punished her for violating her promise by turning her into a horrid version of a Bobcat. And so from then on she was barred from having any contact with her children as well as being shunned by her own kind. She was forced to live a horrible existence for the duration of her natural life, always lurking in the shadows.

Meanwhile, the two ingrate sons, that had more their father’s temperament than their mother’s, remained sporting away the time till the hour for their return had come.

When they reached the lodge the mother was not there. They dared not to ask their father whither she had gone, and from that day forth her name was never spoken again in the lodge.

In the course of time the two boys grew to be men and, although the mother was nevermore seen neither in the lodge nor on the paths in the forest, nor by the river side, she still lingered near the lodge.

Changed, but the same, with ghastly looks and arms that were withered, she appeared to her sons as they returned from the hunt, in the twilight.

At night she darkly unlatched the lodge-door and glided in, and bent over them as they sought to sleep. Oftenest it was her bare brow, white, and bony, and bodiless, that they saw floating in the air, and making a mock of them in the wild paths of the forest, or in the midnight darkness of the lodge.

Fuelled with false facts, with outraged bias against her, the sons viewed their mother as a terror that hunted their peace and lives. They cursed her existence for according to them she made every spot where they had seen her, hideous to the living eye. The hunter never witnessed such; still he was frustrated and grew somewhat weary of his sons’ complaints. Finally his sons were resolved, together with their father, now stricken in years, to leave the country.

They began a journey toward the South. After traveling many days along the shore of a great lake, they passed around a craggy bluff, and came upon a scene where there was a rough fall of waters, and a river issuing forth from the lake.

In pursuit of them the mother came out of the woods in the form of a giant, grotesque, rabid bobcat. At this moment, one of them looked out and saw a stately crane sitting on a rock in the middle of the rapids. They called out to the bird, "See, grandfather, how we are persecuted? Come and take us across the falls that we may escape her."

The crane so addressed was of extraordinary size, and had arrived at a great old age, and, as might be expected, he sat, when first described by the two sons, in a state of profound thought, revolving his long experience of life there in the midst of the most violent eddies.

When he heard himself appealed to, the crane stretched forth his neck with great deliberation, and lifting himself slowly by his wings, he flew across to their assistance.

"Be careful," said the old crane, "that you do not touch the crown of my head. I am bald from age and long service and very tender at that spot. Should you be so unlucky as to lay a hand upon it, I shall not be able to avoid throwing you both in the rapids."

They paid strict heed to his directions, and were soon safely landed on the other shore of the river. He returned and carried the father in the same way; and then took his place once more where he had been first seen in the very midst of the eddies of the stream.

But the woman, who had by this time reached the shore, cried out, "Come, my grandfather, and carry me over, for I have lost my children, and I am sorely distressed."

The aged bird, now questioning his earlier judgement, at first obeyed her summons, and flew to her side. He was a suspicious sort and seeing how hideous she looked in her grotesque bobcat form, once more doubted her story. She had to have been an evil spirit in pursuit. She would harm then soon as she crossed the water. And so feeling rather noble he harboured a secret desire to harm this evil spirit and defend them. He carefully repeated the warning, expecting her to disregard it, that she was not to touch the crown of his head. Outwardly he begged her to bear in mind that she should respect his old age, if there was any sense of virtue left in her.

She promised to obey; but they were no sooner fairly embarked in the stream, that instantly the crane cast her into the rapids, and shook his wings as if to free himself of all acquaintance with her.

“Why have you wronged me?” She cried as she sunk in the raging stream. The woman disappeared, was straightway carried by the rapid currents far out into the waters, and in the wide wilderness of shore-less depth, without companion or solace, and was lost forever.

“I’m preventing you from harming any other, you foul creature!” He responded very much pleased with himself for doing the noble thing.

Suddenly however the gust of wind derailed him and unable to find his bearing, he too plummeted into the waters. 

“What a fool!” The hunter gritted his teeth for the loss of such a fine meal. They picked themselves off the ground and trudged along to find some other game to satisfy their growing hunger.

The mountain spirit could stand this injustice no longer, and in one breath, turned the hunter and his sons all to field mouse. 

They deservedly from then on live in fear and hunted by many.

Fin