Bambi walked slowly. The disappoint his son granted him today was a heavy burden. A burden that ruined his entire day.
Being a sensible deer, the Great Prince felt deeply touched by Lato's broken promise. He was slightly angry, but more than that sad. And he couldn't help but think that it was his fault. He wasn't a good teacher. If he was, his son would understand such simple rules and have a sense of responsibility. At least a slight sense. He wasn't a child, he was slowly turning into a young buck. A month or two more and he should have his spots missing. Time to maturate a little bit. Especially for the prince and possible future Great Prince.
Bambi made a sole promise to himself, that he would not accept any excuses from now on. He has to teach Lato a few lessons. And make sure Thumper does so with his kids.
"Daddy?" a silent voice behind him called. Lila. He's almost forgotten that she was with him.
"Yes, my sunshine?"
"You stepped into a… umh… I can't say it. It's a bad word." The fawn noticed. Bambi looked down at his hooves was covered with something brown. Oh yuck. He was so lost in his thought that he didn't notice. Too bad. Such an embarrassment in front of his daughter.
Okay, act normally. Nothing much happened. Right.
"Oh. Umh. It's nothing" the deer whipped his hoof on some grass "It happens."
"It's a bad thing to happen though. It smells bad. I would scream." Lila assured. Her father smiled at her.
"Life is full of various little traps like this one." He started, feeling his teaching spirit awakening "Sometimes we can avoid them, sometimes not. But no matter what happens, it won't destroy the circle of life."
"Even the Howler?" Lila's question reminded Bambi of the terrifying creature. That wild dog. That killer. Lila was scared of him. No wonder. So was he. It was a trap. A danger. Yet another one. Surely not the last one. Yet, it was something natural. He knew it. And she had to know it too.
"Even such a Howler has his place in the circle of life" Bambi continued "Just like all of us do."
"But he kills deer."
"Yes, indeed. I know it sounds horrible. But the death of just one deer doesn't have any influence on the life of the whole deer kind. It's just the same as deer and flowers. If one flower is eaten, the rest isn't touched by that fact. Everyday, some flowers are eaten. And every year, new flowers grow. It has always been so, and so will it continue forever."
"But I thought flowers don't have feelings." Lila was confused. "They were created for animals to eat."
"You're right" Bambi agreed "But imagine you're a Howler." he went on, despite his daughter's scared face "From a Howler's point of view, the deer were created for him to eat. It's a food chain."
"Is there anything that eats Howlers then?" the young doe wanted to know.
"I don't think anything can hunt them to eat" the Great Prince said, thinking of anything that could possibly endanger a Howler. "Well, maybe human."
"But humans hunt us too." Lila was disappointed "It means it's better to be a Howler than a deer, for such a life is less risky."
"I wouldn't say that" her father disagreed "Howlers have to hunt their meal down, don't they?"
"Yes."
"And what about us?"
"Our food grows on the ground."
"Precisely" the elder of the two admitted "Our food grows all around us. We have it everywhere and can eat whenever we want. It's so simple. A Howler has to spend energy on finding his food, chasing it, fighting for it. It's very hard, wouldn't you agree?"
"Indeed" Lila admitted, understanding her father's point "So it's just as hard to be a deer and a Howler?"
"Each one's life involves a certain risk" the Great Prince replied "But in my opinion, there is no gift more precious than the life. I'm sure you think so too."
The road of life is full of danger
You never know where they hide
So many traps, enemies, hardships
And things no one warned us about
Yet life is one such wonderful path
And you make that path even more worthwhile
The road of life is one big challenge
With our tears for basement
Sometimes our pain has higher purpose
But more likely it makes no sense
Yet life is one such great miracle
And you always ensure me that it's true
The Great Prince sung. He sung happily, watching his daughter walk by his side, more and more laughing, making him forget of what her brother's done. Maybe this day wasn't decided to be wasted afterall? It was beautiful. And with a company, it was wonderful. Cause life is a miracle. Despite everything.
NOTE: I wanted to include the introduction of a new character in this chapter, but decided to make it shorter, making it a father-daughter moment, since you already waited so long for the last one. The next chapter is then almost sure to be called ,,The stray fawn". And I encourage you to check my Deviant art gallery for pictures of Roga, Lato and Lila . As for Roga, don't worry, I'm including him in chapter 6. Once again, great THX to everybody who review. More reviews faster updates .