Summer and Fall came and went as I and Tarou grew a bit each day and played with Bambi and the others. I watched the marvelous changes of all creatures as the seasons changed, and I loved the experience of it all, and Tarou was getting braver and slightly bigger than me, though I am wise, and a bit spunky. Bambi was happy having so many friends, and came to love exploring far and near in the eyesight/hearing of Sonya, his mother. My father visited occasionally, and even taught me and Tarou to be weaned from Mother, and eat the various vegetation of the forest, mainly the grass brush, and the ferns.
Mother taught us the good and poisonous berries and nuts, and took us to various places to enjoy such as the streams sprouting from the river, and some meadows in the nearby sections of the forest. Then Winter came. My fur kept me warm, yes, but my hooves sometimes can feel the chill. Tarou was mystified by the snow and everything. We even hooved-sled on the ice with Bambi and Thumper, and it was so clumsy and fun! We gradually had to get used to eating bark off the trees, and when Mother couldn't reach any further, I got a crazy idea for Mother to have us on her back and reach the furthest bark pieces, and surprisingly, it worked for a time, even helping Sonya and Bambi until it was all gone.
Then one night, I was awoke by crying. I saw Mother in tears, and immediately I knew Sonya was gone, leaving Bambi with his father, the Great Prince. I got closer, nuzzling Mother and she looked down at me, tears disappearing. She softly smiled, licked me gently on the muzzle. I rubbed my head against hers.
"Are you better, Mother?". I gently ask.
Mother sighed, "Oh, Jade. You are surprisingly wise sometimes. You are my special daughter. Yes, little one, I am feeling a bit better. I am happy that I have you and your brother. Sonya wouldn't want me to be sad. You better get back to sleep, okay?".
"Okay, Mother. And Mother, I have a funny feeling that everything's going to be fine.". I replied softly. Mother smiled, nodded slightly, licked me on the cheek. I smiled a bit then moved back to Tarou, heading back to sleep, noticing Mother sigh then went to sleep.
Next morning, Tarou asked if we could see the groundhog after Mother told us about today being important. Mother nodded, and led us to the clearing where the groundhog lived, and told us to stay in the forest. We said okay, and Mother left to find a place for us to eat later. Soon enough, Bambi and Faline came by, and Tarou and I waited anxiously as the groundhog came out, then cheered as he proclaimed that spring's on the way. I scoffed at Ronno's rude interruption, and followed the others. Tarou unfortunately got snowed on by Ronno, exclaimed angrily as he shook it off.
"Hey, that wasn't nice to do that, Ronno, or should I say Ronnie? I'm sorry if I didn't hear you right for the snow was in my ears.". Tarou shooted back.
Ronno scoffed, "The name's Ronno, and what's yours, runt?".
I glared, and replied defensively, "Hey, leave Tarou alone! That's my brother and he's not a runt! He is going to be big like our dad!".
Ronno flicked his ears, and shooted back, "Your brother? You don't look alike!".
Tarou grumbled, "Stop that, you bully. That's Jade, my sis, and she's lots better than you, she's really smart!". I smiled widely as I thanked Tarou and he nodded proudly. Then Ronno's mother called for Ronno as he tried to shot back at Tarou, and then grudgingly left. Bambi and the others were impressed with Tarou and I's actions toward Ronno. Then our mothers respectively called for us, and Faline. Before I left, I told Bambi something.
"Hey, Bambi. If Ronno comes around bothering you or Faline, just ignore him or put him down like Tarou and I did. Oh, and I heard about your father taking you in. He's new at being a parent and you should teach him how to be one. Just have fun, and be careful, okay?". I replied wisely with a spunky tone.
Bambi nodded and thanked me. I nodded, then headed to Mother who's waiting with Tarou for me. I greeted Mother, then we went on our way, to a spot in another clearing with some spring grass.