“Hello, everyone. I’m Reggie…”
No one replied.
Reggie could have been disappointed but he wasn’t. It wasn’t every day that a wolf asked different woodland creatures to a gathering.
“Help yourself to the refreshments… I have water and um, more water, oh, and my lovely berry salad. A delicious concoction I made myself. It’s mostly berries, given its name,” He scanned the uninterested faces looking at him with wide eyes and perplexed expressions, “Along with a medley of fresh herbs. It’s phenomenal, trust me.”
More silence made the awkward and strange wolf seem all the more peculiar.
“Ok, I’ll just let you guys eat, so let’s move on… Today’s assembly is kinda short, but I would like to thank all who came,” Reggie was sure to make eye contact as he nodded to the five guests that sat in front of him. “I would like to thank you for being a part of this land we share! Yes, the wolves mark the territory, but we all know those markings are only for other wolves. You guys,” He said with a whimsical grin, “You great wanderers of the forest, it’s you guys who help our precious home expand and grow. You know what they say, every animal on the food chain is still a part of the ecosystem…”
A nervous chuckle escaped his snout as his audience remained quiet and simply stared at him; Reggie never feared blinking eyes as he did in that moment.
In a declaration of defeat, he huffed, “Oook, I can see no one is really here for the berry salad sooooo, welcome to our part of the woods, we promise we won’t hunt for sport and those who do hunt, follow the ancient law of the land that both predator and prey set in place centuries ago. Thank you, now you can go…”
One by one the five animals left. Glancing down in disbelief, he saw the berry salad was gone! Ecstatic, Reggie twirled and hopped over to the bark that held his creation humming to himself, ‘they liked it, they liked it.’
“Reggie!” A strong voice rang through the air that stopped the kind hearted wolf in his tracks.
“Yeah, Rex…” He slowly said as he turned around.
“You had another assembly?” Rex demanded in his familiar cranky voice.
“Yeah, but…”
“Reggie, if I’ve said it once, I have yelled it a thousand times, animals aren’t going to come to an assembly every time they make their way through our territory. It’s the way of life, not a party…”
“Rex, I know, but guess what?” Reggie excitedly sang as he happily shuffled side to side.
Rex let out a sigh knowing he would soon regret what he was about to say, “What?”
“Five animals came today! Five… That’s more than, well zero through four, and on our way to six!”.
Rex rolled his eyes, “And what did they do, Reggie?”
Reggie stopped for a moment, then looked down, reality sinking in. His brother had a knack for bringing him down from cloud nine, “They left when I finished…” he said as he played with some dried leaves on the ground.
“And what did they do while you were speaking?”
“They, um, they had their focus on me, yup that’s what it was… I captivated them with my… Speech… And uh, berry salad…”
Rex eyed his younger brother, waiting for him to admit his defeat, it was more fun that way.
“Oh fine, they ate and left after spending the entire time looking at me all funny like.”
“I wonder why…” Rex teased.
Reggie did not respond, he turned away and started walking uphill.
Rex followed.
“Reggie, I accept your, well, your you-ness. But other animals, ones that did not have the pleasure of growing up with it, find it strange.”
“Rex, you have an amazing way of not saying a single hurtful word all while completely hurting my feelings.”
“Awe, thanks Reggie.” Rex chuckled, “Big brothers all over the world will be proud of me…”
“Rex, we do things very differently in our part of the forest. I don’t see why being more friendly can’t be added to that.” Reggie whined.
“Because we’re wolves. Wolves are carnivorous. Would you be friends with, um what would eat a wolf, a polar bear!”
“Why not a grizzly?” Reggie teased now walking beside his brother.
“Reggie, my best friend is a grizzly bear. I would never stereotype him based on what other animals say.”
“But a polar bear is different, huh?” Reggie laughed as Rex took the lead for their walk to their territory parameter.
“Polar bears eat seals! Little fuzzy and adorable seals… That’s vicious!” Rex continued.
“You realize you’re stereotyping polar bears just as other animals stereotype grizzlies…” Reggie stated the obvious knowing his brother was not serious.
“Yes, but let’s be real…” Rex laughed, “When am I going to actually meet a polar bear.”
“Rex, that’s not…”
“I know, I know, Reggie. Sheesh, I was trying to make a point not start a political debate.”
“I get it, still, Rex. It wouldn’t hurt to follow the ancient rules more often…”
“We are the only pack that even says ancient laws, Reggie. That’s progress even if it’s not what you want. All we can do is stick to wolf law and keep our land safe.”
“And prosperous!” Reggie announced.
“And prosperous…” Rex agreed.