<b>A Wolf's Job</b>

by Paige in my world of make-believe

A Wolf’s Job
A Spelling Story

Once upon a time there was a wolf named Moejoe. Moejoe was very different from the other wolves in his pack, and probably in the world, too. When he spoke to his fellow wolves he had a very distinct accent in his voice that he had since birth.

When he turned the age of 2 years old (14 in human years) Moejoe was assigned the job in his pack called The Announcer. This job was very important, and Moejoe knew it. It was so important because he would always announce, literally, everything that was happening in the forest that involved the wolf pack. He would tell the other wolves things such as when a pack hunt should start to form because food was near. Or, things such as when humans had entered the territory or something had died. He would even get to announce when it was time to sleep. If Moejoe could not communicate to the pack or the wolves could not understand his type of communication, then he would loose his job. But that was very unlikely to happen.

Moejoe, even considering his age, was very close to taking the next alpha position. (Alpha; the highest ranking wolf in the pack, the one to make ALL decisions.) Most wolves were desperate to get Moejoe’s job, for the reason of becoming alpha, but also because it was a very important job. One of these wolves, Drake, was very aggressive towards Moejoe when the others weren’t watching. This was basically just because of jealousy. But, no matter how many times Drake beat up Moejoe, and no matter how many times Moejoe was angered, he never hurt Drake. He was too kind…

One time, Drake had leaped onto Moejoe’s back when Moejoe went to drink some water out of the lake. When the other wolves came running, wondering what happened when they saw both Moejoe and Drake sopping wet and Moejoe choking, Drake told them he had seen Moejoe try to immerse himself in the water as if trying to drown himself. He also added that he had come to Moejoe’s rescue. (The nerve of some wolves!)

But, no matter how many times Drake tried to make Moejoe fight or loose his position in the pack, Drake could never succeed. Moejoe was just too special to be given another job. His voice was always heard above others because of the very strange accent. Drake’s voice was very loud, but no one ever considered it to be truly special…

Then came the fateful day when Moejoe was getting ready to commit his allegiance to his job in the pack. As Moejoe was about to make his short speech, Drake began to cough and sputter loudly. Everyone was looking around wondering who was making the noise, and no one was listening to Moejoe anymore. His anger flared as he began to get very aggravated by Drake’s despicable behavior. But, Moejoe’s kindness soon took over and he suddenly felt commiserated by Drake’s actions. He began to understand why Drake was so jealous…

“You know what, everyone?” Moejoe began, his voice loud and clear above Drake’s. “As my first act of giving my allegiance to my wonderful job, I would like to give Drake the chance of being my colleague in this very important task.” Moejoe was smiling at Drake, something he had never done before.

There was a sudden silence as all of the wolves’ heads turned to look at the shocked expression on Drake’s face. Moejoe had gotten into Drake’s head. Moejoe had commemorated Drake into thought of how nice his other brothers and sisters had been to him, the ones that were now dead. That’s all Moejoe ever wanted to be to Drake, a brother. Why had Drake never seen it before? Finally, he stammered, “If you want me to, I will.” Then, taking a breath and building up confidence, Drake made his way up to the rock that Moejoe was sitting on. Drake sat next to him, and spoke out to the others. “I want everyone to know that Moejoe has illuminated his wisdom and light where stupidity and darkness lies within my heart…” Drake replied, very serious (for once).

Moejoe’s face lit up. He was very happy, and surprised, at how quickly Drake had changed…

One day, about a month after Moejoe and Drake had began to work together, there was some serious trouble in the woods where they lived. Humans had begun to cut down trees.

It was very apparent to both Drake and Moejoe that this was very bad. When the first tree collapsed a family of squirrels had died. Moejoe and Drake had witnessed this terrible tragedy.

As Drake let out a low, rumbling howl to warn the pack, Moejoe saw a very disturbing sight. In front of him were six squirrels. A mother, a father and four babies. They looked like fog, but seemed so real otherwise. They were only an illusion, but Moejoe insisted to Drake that they were actually the ghosts of the murdered squirrels, come back to haunt the humans.

Suddenly, two trees fell at once and a huge collision occurred! Moejoe and Drake ran for their lives, almost being smashed into the ground. They were no longer able to protect the pack from the mass destruction.

Moejoe then tilted his head back and let out the loudest howl possible. It echoed throughout the forest and made the birds and squirrels in the near by trees run (fly) away. Good, thought Moejoe, They should get away from here before they get killed, too…

By the time Drake and Moejoe got back to the pack’s home, the others had already left. They had heard the warning, and had fled for their lives. Moejoe’s and Drake’s job was well done.

The two wolves, standing together on the deserted spot in the forest, were surprised to see how empty, how immaculate the area looked. Drake and Moejoe both sighed out of thankfulness and then smiled at one another, two partners, two friends.

Then there was a sudden snap, crunch and thud as the earth beneath their feet shook violently. Another tree had fallen, and it was very close.

“RUN!” Moejoe and Drake took off, never to return to that land again…

For another month they followed their pack’s scents and tracks through prairies and fields and mountains. Soon after this long adventure, they met up with their pack in their new home, a new forest. The pack was overjoyed to see their Announcers back home, but Moejoe and Drake were still worried about the humans. They could only hope that the humans would not come into their new forest and destroy it, too…