A New Hope
by Glacier
This is taking place when Balto has just fallen off the cliff and is encountered by the White wolf.)
Balto looked straight into the golden eyes of the white wolf. Pain surged throughout his body. The medicine was gone. He turned away, and closed his eyes tightly. The wolf walked away, and dissapeared into the blizzard. The wolf walked a little ways, then sat down. His bushy fur blew in the chilling wind, and his nose caught the scent of Balto, coming to him. He stood up, and watched Balto appear. "We will help you," said the wolf. Balto was in such pain he fainted. The white wolf grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, and plopped him on his back. He started to trot away. The farther he ran, the more lost he became. Finally, he put Balto down and howled into the frosty air. No answer. Where is Kali? Wondered the wolf to himself. He stood there for a moment, then started away again. Balto awoke and said, "Where are we?" in an extremely weak voice. "I don't know," answered the wolf. "My pack is not answering me. They must be near the east coast." Balto didn't ask. He fell unconcious again. When he awoke, they were still lost. The wolf turned to Balto and said, "I'm sorry. I'm lost. There is nothing we can do but wait for my pack to find us." So they waited. After an hour or so Balto asked the wolf, "Why did you help me?" The wolf laughed. "Why do you ask? Do you need an answer for everything? I helped you because you were hurt. You were alone." When the wolf said "alone" he seemed sad. "What was your childhood like?" Balto said. The wolf began his story:
"I was born in Nome, in the outskirts. My mother was a dark black wolf, with the greenest of eyes. My dad…" The wolf stopped for a second. "My dad left when I was born. I had no siblings. Just me and my mom. I grew up quick, or so she says. She taught me how to hunt, play and eat! We had great times together. One day, as we sat in our den watching the snow fall, she said to me, 'Keno…always remember that you might not reach all of your goals. But you will always have the pride of knowing you tried.' I remember how she smiled at me and made me feel safe." Keno( the wolf's name) stopped and smiled. He looked at Balto and continued:
"We were out one day, hunting. She let me go off a little ways to find some pheasants or something. I'd just sniffed out my quary when I heard…" again Keno stopped. His eyes looked watery. "…when I heard a gunshot." Keno turned away. "Being a pup, I turned to see what had happened. I saw a hunter walking away…with a wolf body over his shoulder." Keno seemed better now, after recovering from that part of the story. "So, with no father I grew up alone. It was tough. Mountain lions attacked me, badger's bugged me, and food was scarce. When I was over 2 years old, I came across a wolf pack. They let me join, but reluctantly. They thought I was a scrounge, a loner. I stayed for about 2 months, and I was in love with a beautiful silver wolf. Her name was Alexia. She liked to play with me, and hunt with me. One day we went hunting together…just the 2 of us. We came to a deserted part of the forest and she stopped and looked at me. She said, 'You are the kindest, bravest wolf I've ever seen. I would like to start a family with you.' She nuzzled me and then we, well you know…."Keno looked slightly embaressed. "So after a few months, she had 4 pups. There names were Kasho, Luxor, Meesho, and Kamee. All of them pure white. So I stayed with the pack for a few years. Alexia stayed loyal to me, as I did to her. We lived very happily, as we still do now." Keno ended his story, and looked at Balto. Balto was looking straight ahead. A howl suddenly echoed through the crystal air. "Come," said Keno. "My pack will love you." Keno got up. Balto stood, and looked off into the distance. "I'm sorry Keno. I can't join your pack. Nome needs my help. You were very brave, so I will try like you. Good-bye Keno." Balto smiled and turned away and ran off. Keno smiled. He had helped save yet another life…and more to come.