Chapter 6: Generational Conflict

Saturday, Afternoon

Slade Residence

Alex was still pondering what he saw that day, Scoot is friends with a fox. We are supposed to kill foxes. That poor kit doesn't understand that he is playing with the enemy. Alex then thought positively, on the other hand, Scoot has never been happier! I can't play with him while he's at school, so maybe his little fox buddy is a blessing… regardless, I'm going to be keeping an eye on them.

Just then, Amos Slade sat down next to Alex, exhausted after a long day of work. Alex liked talking to his grandfather more than his father. Liam never hurt Alex, however, ever since Alex's mom died, he was a frequent alcohol abuser. Amos was crazy, but he never stooped that low.

"Is something on your mind, kid?", asked Amos. He noticed Alex's blank expression. "Nah, I'm fine!" replied his grandson."

Alex wanted to ask Amos about his puppy's fox friend, but he wanted to be discreet about it.

"Grandpa, I have a question".

"Go on, kid".

Alright, alex thought, how do I ask this, without giving it away. "So, hounds hunt animals right, grandpa?" "Alex, don't play dumb with me," Amos replied. "I know, but it leads into another question", Alex continued, "have you ever seen a hound not kill a game animal? Like, tried to not kill it?"

Amos was wrapped in his thoughts, yes, I have seen this before. "Yes, Alex I have seen a hound dog save an animal before." Amos paused, "In fact, it was Copper who wouldn't attack a fox."

Woah, Alex thought, so Copper and his puppy seem to be kind to certain animals. I wonder why that is?

"Tell me, grandfather. Why did Copper not attack the fox?"

"You really want to hear this boy?"

"Yeah!"

"Copper stopped me from killing a fox in the game reserve," Amos said, "Now, this fox was weak on the bank of a lake, and couldn't escape. So, for some confounded reason, Copper stepped between that rodent and my shotgun, and I was unable to kill it." Amos sighed, "that fox is the reason why Chief's leg is broke. He chased it onto that there railroad bridge! It belonged to tha Widow next store, and it wouldn't stop coming over to ma yard. I think it was trying to get ma chickens!"

"So," alex replied, "you hunted, illegally, in the game reserve, to get revenge on a little animal? Seems kind of idiotic, if you think about it."

"I HAD A GOOD REASON TO DO IT, ALEX!" Amos shouted, "THAT DARN FOX DIDN'T DESERVE TO LIVE!" Amos calmed down, "But I realized, that I may have gone too far, Alex. So, I have a respect for that critter, Tod, who made me realize that revenge just got me into trouble. For some reason, that fox saved Copper and me from a bear. Maybe Copper realized that it saved his life."

The two of them stared in silence.

"Uhm, grandpa," Alex spoke, "can I tell you a secret, if you tell me something?" "I'll keep yer secret kid," replied Amos, "what's up?"

"Do you think that maybe Copper saved that fox; I think you said Tod was his name; because they were friends?"

"NONSENSE!", amos laughed, "A fox and a hound being friends? Are pigs flying ma boy? HAHahaha."

"I'm serious."

"Yer' crazy, Alex."

Alex sighed, time to reveal the weird in the world. "Scoot has been lonely while I was gone, and there is no one here when I'm at school, so he's bored."

"And what does this have to do with yer dog, sonny?"

"Well I don't know if you'll believe this, but Scoot made a friend with a fox—"

"THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"

"It's not grandpa, Scoot's little fox kit friend got stuck in a bear trap, and he blocked me from shooting it," Alex paused, "kind of like how Copper saved that fox, Tod. Or… his friend?".

"This sounds crazy tah me kid! But, if what you are telling me is true, we gotta dispose of this here fox immediately".

"But," Alex stammered, "I don't want to hurt it. It's smarter than the other foxes we hunted. It seems to be friendly to me, too."

Amos was conflicted, I kill those damn things! There shouldn't BE a fox on our property! And this kid thinks my Copper was friends with that rodent Tod? He's crazy! But, on the otherhand, there's nothing we can do about Scoot being lonely, so maybe I should let it slide for a while.

"Alrighty Alex, "Amos finally spoke, "I'll let the little fox live, but I don't want our hounds hanging out with the wildlife! I want to check on those fellas when I get the chance. Then, we will plan from there. Sound good buddy?"

"Yeah, granddad, thanks for understanding."

"No problem kiddo, no problem… by the way, you should take Scoot hunting in tha forest tomorrow. Just a little trial. Ok?"

"I was planning that anyway!"

"Good, Alex. Now I'm 'onna go think about what yer said!"

Amos left, and Alex had time to think about their conversation. Copper saved Tod from being killed. Scoot stopped me from killing a fox, also. Is there something with these animals that we don't understand?

...

Or maybe it runs in the family.