One dark and stormy night, deep in the woods, resting beside a vast and rushing river, stood a mighty oak.  The tree had begun as naught but an acorn, many long seasons before this night.  Weathering many a storm as it grew to great heights, the tree offered safe haven to many a creature, whether big or small.  Birds nested within its mighty branches, and many small creatures took refuge beneath its protective shadow.  Over time, a small hollow had gradually formed near the base of the tree, in which one might find shelter from storms, if they were small enough to fit inside. 

On this night, the winds were fierce and the waters raged so violently, there seemed to be nowhere left for one to find warmth and safety… that is, except for the ancient Oak.  There, inside the mighty tree, sat an otter and an owl, staring at one another from opposite sides of the small hollow.  The owl could not fly away, nor could the otter outswim the raging waters.  Within the warmth of the hollow, the otter looked upon the owl with fear, as many an otter pup had been carried off by these winged predators, never to be seen again.  All that the owl could remember of otters, was their devious ways of stealing the eggs of any birds nesting low enough to the ground to be pillaged.  Neither the owl nor the otter wanted anything to do with the other, both silently wishing the space was theirs and theirs alone. 

With the storm showing no signs of letting up, both the otter and the owl had resigned themselves to a very uncomfortable night, as most of the good space available was the vast distance between them in the center of the hollow.  After a time, the owl suggested that the otter should return to the river, as otters should be used to water.  He felt that the absence of the otter might give him more space, allowing him to spread his wings and fluff his feathers for more warmth.  Sounding clearly offended, the otter explained to the owl that her den had been flooded by the raging river, leaving her nowhere to hide.  As she felt her situation merited more importance, the otter quickly suggested that the owl should let her have the space instead. 

 Feeling rather misunderstood, the owl puffed out his feathery chest, and in a defensive manner, briefly explained that the winds were so fierce, his wings could not bear his own weight, let alone keep all the rain from soaking him to the bone.  “Besides” the owl remarked, “I got here first!  You’re just lucky that I let you in here… I didn’t have to, you know.  All you have ever been good for, is stealing eggs!”  Thinking that would be the end of it, the owl sat back in his corner, making the best of his cramped space.  The otter seemed hurt, as she retorted “I don’t personally even like eggs, thank you very much!  How can you sit there blaming me and my kind for egg stealing, when you and yours steal our babies!”  With that she turned to face the wall, curling into as small of a ball as she could, to await the dawn.  Both sat in very unhappy silence for a time, as the storm grew to be deafening outside their dry but cramped hollow.

After some time passed, the owl softly cleared his voice, and said “Though I’m not one to hunt more than field mice and bugs, due to my small stature, I can see the truth in your words.  I think that perhaps I’ve misjudged you, blaming you for the wrong of others.  Could it be that you too, might also be judging me for something done by another?”  Both the otter and the owl sat for a time, considering each other’s words.

When the otter finally broke the silence, she offered her most sincere apology for her reaction, suggesting that perhaps they might try again.  “My name is Lontra and I am a river otter, better known as a river wolf!  You see, we river otters eat mainly fish from the stream, as well as differing vegetation that grows along the shore.  If it be your desire, you could tell me your name and where you’re from, so that we might start fresh and get to know each other properly.”  The owl considered the words of the otter, finally coming to rest upon a decision.  Opening and closing his enormous eyes several times, the owl said “I don’t actually have a name to offer you, as my parents never spoke to me much, and certainly never gave me a name.  They disappeared the day I learned to fly, and I’ve not seen them since.  We owls are rather solitary creatures, never really socializing with others.  It’s actually somewhat lonely, if I speak the truth.”  The otter felt a wave of compassion wash over her, pondering a life without others there to give and receive love. 

After considering things, the otter suddenly rolled over on her back, allowing the heat from her underbelly to warm the hollow.  “Everyone should have a name, friend.  With eyes as big and beautiful as yours are, I think we should call you Blinky, if you like.  Or, you can certainly choose a different name if you wish.”  She lay there in the darkness, waiting for the owls reply.  The heat offered by the otter, softened the owl’s heart, as he felt both the warmth of the air and the comfort brought forth by the otter’s kind words.  Ruffling his feathers as full as he could, the owl nestled up closely against the otter’s side.  Looking at each other, realization suddenly dawned on both the otter and the owl!  By leaning on one another, they’d just doubled the space available within the hollow, making things quite comfortable compared to the howling winds and relentless rain, still beating against the side of the old Oak.

Early the next morning, with the storm finally gone, the otter and the owl climbed out of their warm and dry hollow, chatting as if they’d been friends for ages.  Knowing that they might never see one another again, the owl embraced his friend, saying “I’ll think of you every time I meet someone new, perhaps telling them of what you’ve taught me… not to judge a book by its cover.”  Thinking on the lessons that she too had learned the night before, the otter replied “I too have learned something very valuable… never speak words in anger, nor judge one soul based on the deeds of another.”  With that, the otter disappeared into the river and the owl took flight, disappearing into the forest beyond. 

Within this tale is a lesson

Many may have already found

Wisdom and love should go hand in hand

If we wish to keep others around!

Wiwohka 2024