Spot's Captivity

When Spot was a young deer, he loved racing ahead of the herd and waiting proudly for everyone to catch up.

The older deer had taught him how to leap over roots and fallen branches, but Spot had not yet learned their special high jump.

One morning he ran too far ahead. By the time he looked back, the herd was distant.

Spot hurried toward them and stepped into a hunter's rope snare. The herd had cleared it with a high jump, but Spot did not know how.

The hunter found the frightened fawn. He could not bring himself to harm such a young animal, so he gently freed Spot from the rope and carried him to the nearby palace.

The prince was delighted. Spot received sweet grass, clean water and a shaded courtyard. Palace helpers brushed his coat and decorated his resting place with flowers.

Everyone meant to be kind, but visitors constantly surrounded him. Spot missed open paths, the smell of rain on leaves and the quiet company of his herd.

During the monsoon, thunder rolled over the palace. Spot looked toward the forest and made a soft, longing call.

“When will I run with my herd again? When will the wind rush past my ears?”

The prince heard him and was amazed. At first the palace became noisy with worried questions.

A wise forest teacher raised a hand. “There is no mystery,” he said. “Spot is not asking for more comfort. He is asking for home.”

The prince looked around the beautiful courtyard and finally understood. A place could be safe and still not be the place where a wild creature belonged.

He ordered the forest gate opened and personally walked with Spot to the meadow.

At the edge of the trees, Spot's herd appeared. His mother stepped forward and touched noses with him.

Spot bounded into the grass. This time the older deer patiently showed him the high jump, and he practised until he could clear a fallen branch.

The prince returned to the palace happy, not because he possessed a remarkable deer, but because he had helped the deer return home.

From then on the palace cared for wild animals by protecting their forest, water and freedom.