Flying through the sky, occasionally landing on a tree branch, the owl notices there are very few animals to see. In fact for miles and miles, the owl had not seen a single other animal in the space of several days. It seems that they are possibly the last of all kinds. Taking to the skies again, the owl finally sees some movement, a flash of white and orange moving quickly through the underbrush. Soaring down through the trees, the owl silently flew, overtaking what could now be seen as a fox racing through the forest.
Overtaking the fox, the owl swooped in and dropped on the ground in front of it. The fox skittered to a stop, breathing hard, wary of this stranger that so easily surprised him.
“Where are you running to in such a hurry?”, the owl asked the fox. Still eyeing the owl suspiciously, the fox answered, “the same place as everyone, out of the forest and into the world beyond.”
The owl thought for a moment and then asked “what lies behind you in the forest that would drive you beyond the safety of our world?”
“All of those I once knew have left the forest behind, all my friends, my family, no one remains.”
The owl had noticed the lack of others but did not imagine that even those beyond his great sight had moved on from the forest. In truth the owl realized that many days had passed since the owl had last seen their other owl family and friends. The owl was usually solitary, preferring the silence in the solitude over the din of a populated forest.
“Now that I think about it,” the owl said, “you are the first animal I have seen since the moon was at its biggest. I do not know much about where you are heading, but I can travel along with you, if you like, and keep an eye on the land ahead.”
The fox was grateful to have a companion since they had been so alone for such a long, long time.
“That would make me feel much safer,” the fox said. “I have been running very fast for some time now, away from the forest and towards those I knew, or where I suppose they went.”
“It will be nice to have a new friend,” the owl said. “Why don’t we rest here for a few hours, let the daytime turn to night? I can see and hear much from the tree tops.”