A Howl in the Distance

One clear night, the summer sky was full of stars.

The North Hill was quiet, and a cool wind was blowing.

Luna was resting near me, on the top of the hill.

Suddenly, a long howl came from far across the valley.

It was the voice of another wolf, deep and strong.

The sound traveled over the hills and through the dark trees.

Luna lifted her ears and turned toward the distant sound.

Her whole body became still, and her eyes grew bright.

Another howl came from behind the far northern mountains.

Luna stood up and looked over the hill to the north.

"There are other wolves out there," I said very softly.

Luna was going to answer them with her own voice.

She lifted her head high toward the wide night sky.

Then Luna made her first real howl into the dark.

Her voice was young, but it traveled far across the land.

The other wolf answered her from beyond the tall trees.

Luna was going to walk toward the far northern hills.

She took a few steps down the path into the valley.

Then she stopped and looked back at me with soft eyes.

"You are going to find your family," I whispered slowly.

My heart was heavy, because I knew this day would come.

Luna was standing between two worlds, near me and the wild.

She was not going to stay a little wolf forever.

That starry night, the far howl called Luna toward her future.