Mike Owens
Taking my daily walk through the woods outside my back door, I happen across a new born fawn. It's mother, shot by a hunter, has died just after giving it birth and lies next to it on the ground. It looks so frail, so weak. I pick it up and take it back to my home. I wrap it in a warm blanket, and try to feed it.After some time, the fawn grows and trusts me completely. It follows me every where I go, jumping in joy, running ahead, then returning to my side. I know the fawn loves me, and I the fawn. Then one day, without thinking, I go outside to target practice with my gun. As usual, the fawn is right by my side. As the first shot is fired, the fawn bolts from me in sheer terror! Vaguely in it's subconscious mind, it remembers a sound like this, a sound that took its mother from it. It is frightened. It hides.
What have I done! I didn't mean to frighten the fawn with my senseless act, it was not my intent. Yet I have hurt it deeply. I take the gun back into the house and return. I stand there, my hand outstretched, coaxing the fawn to come out. It does not move. Please come! I will not hurt you. I didn't mean to frighten you. I was thoughtless, I am sorry. Still the fawn does not move.
With a soft, gentle voice, I plead with the fawn, Please come to me. Please trust me as you once did. Slowly the fawn steps out of its hiding place, trembling with fear, ready to bolt again at the least movement. Please come, please. The fawn stares at me, the fear obvious in its eyes, still trembling, still wanting to run. To run and hide. I softly coax, talking in a soothing voice, Please come.
Slowly the fawn steps closer, its nose just inches from my hand. It sniffs. Yes, this smells like my friend. It stands there, looking at me, its big dark eyes questioning me, Why? I do not move, I just continue to speak reassuringly. It inches a little closer. I reach out to touch it. It flinches, cowls away, trembling, but it does not run. I softly stroke it, speaking softly, I will not hurt you, I love you. Slowly the fawn inches closer, finally standing next to me again. It still trembles, but not nearly as bad. It still questions, but it understands a little more. For now it will be here, by my side, loving me. It will slowly begin to trust again.