WINTER SHADOW snow before it became truly dark But on that day after school when I had told nobody about the wolf pup I raced out of the door and across the schoolyard alone The games in the snow were suddenly far from my mind as I hurried back along the same forest path Perhaps the mother wolf had returned to find her pup and had carried it off to safety Yet if the pup was still there it may not have survived the bitterness of the day I began to run faster my heart racing Then as I rounded the last bend I saw him perfectly still snow now deep about his body I swallowed hard and looked around listening to the sounds of the forest wondering what Grandfather would do He was always certain of what was right I knew that he would tell me to leave the pup there 12
WINTER SHADOW That is nature Maria Leave him You can do nothing for him My grandfather who has always looked after me spoke plainly and truthfully But that afternoon with the light quickly fading above the silent forest I blocked out his voice and picked the pup up in my arms His eyes were closed and I suddenly panicked thinking he might already be dead He felt so cold There was no sign of breathing no beating of a warm heart 14
CHAPTER THREE WILL HE LIVE I HURRIED HOME TO OUR COTTAGE and edged open the door to the kitchen where the warmth and light and the smell of meat cooking welcomed me out of the winter darkness Grandfather turned from the stove and peered at me What have you there Maria He turned back to the pot he was stirring Is it from school There was a long silence as I stood in the doorway wondering how to answer 15
