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Abjilan Wolf

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Once there was an old wolf named Abjilan. He had lived for many years, performed many brave deeds, fathered many pups and led many hunting parties. But as his life approached its end he found he could no longer do these things. All he could do was talk about them. Since he had out lived his peers and his children there were no wolves old enough to remember Abjilan doing any of the things he spoke of so the other wolves in the pack dismissed Abjilan as a useless old fool and cast him out.

Abjilan dug himself a small den in a wadi and when he could, he left to hunt lone prey. But he was old and his legs could not run as they once did and his eyes could not see as they used to so he had to content himself with small lizards and other things he …show more content…

“Who is there,” asked the ancient wolf.

“A wolf, “ was the reply though the voice was no wolf voice as far as Abjilan could tell.

“Why are you bothering me,” asked Abjilan.

“I hear you are a wise old hunter,” said the voice. “If you teach me, I will hunt and you can have your share of the kill.”

“I have only one eye and am nearly blind. Come closer so that I can see you,” said Abjilan. “What tribe are you from?”

“Jackal tribe.” The visitor came closer and Abjilan saw that it was a small jackal.

“Your tribe does not hunt,” scoffed Abjilan. “All I have known your tribe to take is small rodents and …show more content…

“Teach me and you will see that we have changed. I will kill and you will have your share.”

Abjilan was now so weak from hunger and wounds that he had no choice but to agree. Together Abjilan and the jackal went out and again found the flock of sheep guarded by the shepherd and his dogs. As Abjilan was explaining how best to take a sheep unnoticed the Jackal shouted, “These sheep are too big for me!” The dogs heard this and fell upon Abjilan and the Jackal. The little Jackal ran, leaving Abjilan to fend for himself. Again Abjilan managed to escape but not before the dogs ripped off one of Abjilan’s paws. When Abjilan crawled back into his den, he knew he was about to die.

That night Abjilan dreamed, as always, of his youth. But this time he dreamed he was watching himself. Though it was another body he watched, he knew somehow that it was his. That his spirit was in that other body. Though the dream self he watched howled in another voice, he knew that it was his voice. Abjilan dreamed of deeds he had never performed and glories he had never attained. Yet he knew these acts were his as sure as the acts he remembered in his waking hours. And he knew in his heart the deeds of which he dreamed had not yet come to pass but he knew for certain that he had, or would, accomplished

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