Wolf and the Snow

	Snow fell from the grey sky. The wolf quietly walked in solemn wasteland. The gentle, white flakes covered his snowy fur as he shifted his gaze to the forlorn clouds. The white wolf stood there staring for a long time before he continued on. After several hours he came upon a cliff overlooking a shanty town. The town was no more then a few small streets. The buildings were no more then stacked crates and rusted metal plates leaned against them.

	“Such a humble place,” thought Wolf, “I shalln’t wish such a life upon any mortal.” So he ventured down to the quiet shanty in silence.

	What Wolf found was quite the opposite of what he thought would be found. Instead of sadness and hunger, he found children running about the street. Their parents conversing and trading supplies along the roadside. Surprised, Wolf walked up to one of the children and asked, “How does one find joy in such despair?”

	The boy was clad in a humble white shirt that was twice his size. The cloth had been tattered and stained over the years. His pants were also too large for him, their heavy gray material held up by a humble twine belt. He looked at Wolf and cocked his head inquisitively. “But what is there to be sad about?”

	Wolf looked around again. “You live in such poverty. Do you not desire a better life?”

	The boy was completely confused now. “Better life,” he asked, “but I have everything I want.”

	Wolf asked everyone in the shanty the same question, and got the same question every time. This confused him, but seeing that he was of no help here, Wolf left and ventured on over the snow covered plane. Days later, Wolf came across a grand city. Great towers of copper and brass shimmered in the white snow. This place took Wolf’s interest, so he took upon a human form.

	He ventured into the city as a blue eyed, white haired knight clad in humble armor. He walked down the cobbled streets where several people ran about, bartering with street vendors and arguing back and forth. Wolf admired this city’s beauty. Even in the dark winter skies, it’s buildings shimmered magnificently. He was astounded by how little the people cared of this and decided to cause some mischief that would give them his appreciation.

	Wolf quickly ran up to one of the vendors and told him a great storm would soon destroy the city. The vendor didn’t believe Wolf, so he pointed to the sky and the vendor followed his direction. Wolf used his powers and move the clouds. He darkened them and let thunder rumble through the sky, a flash of lightning hitting the tallest tower in a shower of sparks and yellow embers. The vendor stood in awe for a moment, then quickly ran off to spread the word.

	Wolf was proud of his deed. He watched the people look towards the sky and running about as he walked through the city. Before long though he realized that his trick hadn’t had the effect he wanted. The city was in chaos. No one payed attention to the city. In fact they payed even less attention. They fought over food, smashed windows and looted whatever they could from homes and stores alike.

	Wolf was shocked. His tricks had gone too far again. In his dumbstruck state lighting crashed down on another copper tower. Wolf had forgotten to control his false storm. The electric bolt surged down the colossal conductor, shattering every window and causing glass to rain down from the heavens. Wolf gasped and looked up, then back at the base of the tower. The sparkling shards rained down and cut whatever they touched. Everyone that had been standing there was slaughtered. Another bolt hit the tower closest to Wolf and he knew what was happening. “So this is punishment for my overconfidence and trickery? So be it.” Wolf sighed and lowered his head as he thought this, not flinching as the glass rained down.

	Wolf found himself on the edge of a cliff covered in snow. He was in his human form and his white hair blew in the cold wind. Before him stood the figure of a man concealed in light. “Wolf,” the figure spoke “your tricks have cost the lives of innocents, and your knave eye for wealth and beauty has too long motivated your intentions. You shall not be allowed to enter the next realm until you repent for your deeds.”

	Wolf was shocked for a moment, then just sighed and nodded. As the figure in front of him faded, wolf examined himself. He was wearing a tattered white shirt with dirt stains and a pair of heavy gray pants held up with a twine belt. He looked over the edge of the cliff and there was the humble shanty he had come across several days ago. With a solemn smile, Wolf shook his head and ventured down to the town slowly. There Wolf remained, living out his days until he could repent. Living... as a mortal.