When the hunter retrieved a wolf from the ice, he was unaware of the price the wolf would demand for his kindness.
There was silence in the winter forest.The river was frozen, and nothing appeared to be able to break the silence.But on the ice, the hunter noticed a dark figure.As he approached, he saw that a wolf was trapped in the freezing water.It was so exhausted that it attempted to crawl out by using its paws to grab onto the edge of the ice, but its strength was failing.
Without hesitation, the hunter hurried to help right away.He knew how deadly a predator could be, especially when they were hurt and afraid.But something in the wolf’s eyes, the way it fought for its life, would not let him go.With great effort, he pulled the wolf from the icy water, wrapped it up, and carried it home.
The cost of this deed of generosity was unknown to him.He failed to consider that wolves are predators with surprising abilities.
Grey is the name he gave the wolf.Under his and his son’s care, the animal slowly recovered, albeit it was never completely tamed.He never left the house, even though the wild still burned in his eyes.
The news quickly spread throughout the village.People didn’t trust the wolf because they saw it as a threat.Even though the hunter knew it was dangerous to keep a wild animal, letting him go into the forest, where strict regulations were in place, seemed far worse.
He had no idea that he would finally be rewarded and saved by the protected animal.
One winter evening, the hunter went into the woods to check up abandoned traps.He didn’t return for supper.Not at nightfall.He thought maybe he had slept outside, as he sometimes did, but his kid was worried.
The son didn’t know anything was wrong until the next morning, when the wolf began making a loud, unsettling howling noise at the door.
Deep in the forest, the hunter lay in the snow with his leg caught in a trap.He cried out for help, but no one arrived.With each passing hour, hope waned.
Then a crack appeared.A sound.A hue of grey was present.
Grey did not run to him; instead, he paused and watched from afar.Then he was gone, gone, gone.
The hunter had lost his sense of direction.Hearing voices sent him into a crazy state.His son!The guys from the village were led there by the wolf.
“He… he brought you here?,” the hunter asked.
Among them was Grey.Silently, he looked at the hunter.Then, as if his work was done, he turned and vanished into the trees.
No one ever saw him again.But the hunter realized that the loan was paid off.
