Little Dear

By Madelynn Ramm

As the trees swayed in the wind and the birds flew through the shadows, a small fawn started to yawn. Lifting its still heavy head from the comfort of its folded legs, the fawn surveyed its surroundings. A peaceful sunrise peered over the mountains. It welcomed the deer as it woke, beckoning it to enjoy today’s gift of sun and life. 

Standing up, the fawn searched for its mother. Finding her near, by a tree the fawn nudged its mother with its nose, mother wake up, it softly urged, but the fawn’s mother lay still. The deer sniffed and found a familiar scent, the sweet morning dew of shrubs. I’ll go and eat, then bring back some for mother the little deer decided, then followed the pleasant smell all the way until it reached a small patch of shrubbery in the glen. 

After grazing on the refreshing meal, the fawn and its spotted hind, trotted back to its mother with some shrubs in its mouth. As it drew nearer to its mother it noticed she was still laying down. As it reached her, the small fawn placed the shrubs in front of its mother’s nose, and then nudged its mother again. Yet the fawn’s mother was still. Too still. 

The fawn sniffed its mother. Her scent had changed, not by much but it was different, strange. Mother? The fawn poked her one more time, causing its mother’s head to slip and slump slightly. Seeing this the fawn started to cry. Why won’t you wake up? Thrashing its head around in a tantrum the fawn cried, Wake up! Mummy! The sky darkened and the clouds collided, droplets of rain began to race for the ground. Helpless the fawn cuddled up next to its mother, she was colder than before, but her strange smell brought the fawn comfort. 

Early the next morning the sun was not so welcoming, the glen was dark and damp. Mourning the loss of another doe. The small and lonely deer shivered in its sleep. Suddenly loud caws and screeches of vultures scared the deer awake.

No. Go away! The little fawn rushed to stand up, and scare away the bad birds. But they persisted, hungry for their next meal. Go away! The little deer threw its head around, jumping in odd positions, trying its best to shoo them off. 

Silly little fawn, we will be back. The vultures looked down on skinny child, before flying away, allowing their meal to decay a little longer. The little deer, spooked, became determined to protect its mother. It walked around and found some foliage; leaves, grass, sticks and branches to cover its mother, hiding her from the sharp eyes of the vultures. The child looked at the quaint pile of browns and greens, proud with its masterful craft, it was certain no vultures would spot mother from so high above. 

As the day continued the fawn never travelled far from its mother, and had brought back numerous types of snacks. Which sat miserably in front of Mother’s nose. The small deer chatted happily to its sleepy mother, recounting days previous, and making up stories to entertain. Stories which Mother would have laugh at, were now met with no reaction what-so-ever. Dispirited the little fawn stared at the sky, its deep blue colour hypnotising and beautiful. Until an orange butterfly fluttered by. The butterfly startled the deer out of its state, with a new found excitement the fawn started to play with the butterfly. I’ll be back Mother, im going to play! 

After a long day the sky was no longer light blue, but a radiant black, painted with stars. The deer returned to its place beside its mother and closed its droopy eyes. As the little deer fell deeper into its slumber the glen too started to change with the night. 

A breeze started to pick up. It grew faster and hungrier by the minute. A malicious and bitter wind had started to circle the deer. With the harsh flow of air that howled its way through the glen, the foliage so intricately placed by the fawn, blew away. Uncovering its mother. 

The sleeping and blissfully unaware child, shivered slightly at the wind but nuzzled back into a comfortable position. In the dark of the night approached a group of four. They glided in with the wind, and left just a quick. The vultures. They had returned, determined to take their meal. 

It was easy for these adept killers; they tore at the doe’s decaying flesh. Their vindictive nature made this doe all the more delicious. Upon the conclusion of their meal, they simply laughed, the sound loathsome and distasteful. Then flew away. 

Mother doe’s carcass was horrific, mangled pieces of muscle and tissue clung to the withered bones, and half eaten organs oozed with repulsive liquids. Surrounded by a pool of blood, the corpse was eaten clean. And attracted the attention of nearby flies and ants. 

By the time the little deer had awoken it was as if Mother had never existed. Only the small bones of her skeleton remained. The little fawn was too tired to cry, and helplessly cuddled up next to the remains of Mother. She wasn’t as soft as before, but her remains consoled the little deer. Who was now aware its mother was dead. 

By Madelynn Ramm