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Badger the Bully |
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 Wolf and her cubs
lived in a den that Wolf had dug out of a hillside the previous year.
The cubs had been born there, and it was the only home they had ever
known. The den was dry, even in the hardest spring rains, and the
entrance was protected by a big stone that blocked the cold winds of
winter.One sparkling spring day, Wolf and her cubs went to explore along the river, looking for food and playing in the shallow pools. When they returned they were met at the entrance to their den by Badger. Wolf said to Badger, “What are you doing here?” Badger snarled back, “This is my den now. Go away and leave me alone.” Wolf said to Badger, “You are mistaken. This is the den that I dug last year, and this is where I raised my cubs. You can't just come in and take it.” Badger replied with a growl, “Yes I can, because if you try to take it back I'll bite you!” He crawled down inside the den. Wolf didn't know what to do. She and the cubs needed a place to sleep, but she didn't want to get into a fight with Badger. If she got hurt there would be nobody to protect the cubs. She decided to try another way. Wolf called to Badger, “All right, you can have my den. But I hope you like having company for the winter.” Badger stuck his head out and said, “What company?” Wolf smiled, “Black Bear doesn't have a den for this winter, so I told him that I would let him sleep in the back of my den. I'm sure you'll get to like him, even though he does snore a lot.” Badger said, “Oh. I don't want to share my den with Black Bear if he snores. Perhaps this isn't the best spot for me. But where can I find a new place?” Wolf said, “Well, what if I helped you dig a new home over on the other side of the valley? Then you would have it all to yourself.” Badger looked down and said, “You would do that for me, even though I tried to steal your den? Now I feel really bad. I'll try to be nicer to everyone from now on.” Sample story from: Nature's Circle and Other Northwest Coast Children's Stories Copyright 2004 Robert James Challenger ISBN 1-894384-77-6 |
