About the Fox, the House, and Dreams

“Well, here we go again!” sighed the fox.

In his old life, the fox loved nothing more than climbing up the creaky ladder into his treehouse and crafting things out of clay. It was the safest place in the entire vast forest. Family, friends, and his favorite hobby made his life full of joy and meaning. Over time, the fox began to venture further and further away from home for adult matters, until one day he wandered so far that he found himself in a different forest. And then something terrible happened! Overnight, a massive wall grew between his old forest and the new one. Everything became unfamiliar, frighteningly bleak, and lonely, for he had lost his support, his connections, and his beloved craft.

In time, the fox adapted and began to enjoy his new life.

But in his dreams, he would return to his old home, where he had once felt so content. He would softly snore and sniff the air. It seemed as though the fox could smell the familiar scent of the old tree, once so terrifying to him, and the rain outside the window.

In the morning, his pillow was wet with tears.