I met a fox in the forest today, while taking my usual evening stroll. It sat cleaning its paws, until it saw me and the two of us made eye contact. We watched each other apprehensively for a few moments, until finally I broke the stare and looked up at the green canopy of leaves above me. Then the most surprising thing happened: the fox spoke, "What do you think of when you think of a fox?"

I snap my gaze back to the fox, my jaw almost dropping in surprise. After taking a moment to collect myself, I pondered its question then answered, "I think of a sly, cunning, trickster, maybe even a thief. But, most definitely not one to be trusted."

The fox nodded its head thoughtfully, "Let me ask you this: what if it's all a misunderstanding? What if us poor foxes have just been given a bad reputation?"

"Are you saying that maybe we should give you guys a chance to redeem yourselves?"

The fox pulled its mouth back into a sly, toothy grin,"What I'm saying is don't always believe what you are told; watch what is happening, what is actually being done."

And with that, the fox slid behind me into the thick cluster of trees, never to be seen again. I wanted to tell someone about my experience, so I reached into my back pocket to call my mom. When I felt around for my cell phone though, I realized that it was gone, also to never be seen again. 

I sat in a back corner of the cafe, sipping my plain black coffee, and let my eyes wander over the other patrons.

The man by the window was clearly waiting for someone, eyes darting to the door every time it opened. From the way the young woman two tables over was playing with her diamond ring, I could tell that she was newly engaged, but having misgivings. Just by observation, I know the stories of everyone else in the cafe as well. Except for that black-haired woman in line.

Her smart blue suit said business woman. Its brand and material said a middling position and salary. Her posture said confidence. The few wisps of gray in her hair said late thirties. Her small, flat clutch said she didn't drive here. Her eyes spoke of intelligence. Her facial crinkles said she laughed a lot. Her stylish heels said she feels beautiful. Their four-inch height said she didn't walk here either. All this and more, I could hear. But what did the fox say?

Upon her shoulders draped a finely crafted stole of fox fur. Its head and front paws snaked over her left shoulder and rested on her chest, staring ahead with shiny black eyes. Staring at me. What did the fox say about this woman?

Did the fox say she was chilly? Hardly. That she has a brother in taxidermy? That she's the heiress of a prestigious old family? That she hunts and traps in her spare time? The fox was silent, leaving me only with my imagination and a certainty that I hadn't yet guessed correctly.

The woman's slight frown said she was puzzled. I realized that I was making a similar face, and smoothed out my features. Puzzled. That last time I was puzzled was six years ago. Today, everything and everyone in the room was speaking to me as usual, even the lint on the boy's pant leg across the room, but not that fox. I stared into its glassy eyes, and heard nothing. Nothing at all.

Until a voice said, "Excuse me!" very loudly. I looked up to see the blue-suited mystery woman right in front of me. She must have called to me several times already. Her mouth was set in a firm line, and she fixed me with a steady gaze. "I said, 'What are you staring at?'" My eyes jerked involuntarily to the fox reposed on her bosom.

"Gotcha," said the fox.

Depending on the time of day, the time of year, you may here me say " Tally ho!"

and "run you cur hounds you!" Just to rile them up, hehe. Well, after all they are hunting me! I may as well have a little fun at it!

Or if you happen to see me at twilight time in the mists, then I may be saying "There now, it's alright, come away with me and into the light."

Just don't look straight into my eyes,

For they have a habit to allure and mesmerize

A curse I'm afraid you see

for I am a Red Head Vixen

Every word I speak falls like music on the ears of men.

I can tell you many things, about your past your present and your future, I may even see your very Soul.

So be careful what you want to know.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8RYIsFg-rZJZVU1Y1dlcFRzN0E

Why do I have to be so mediocre? The humans seem to think the wolf is cool. I'm not a dog hanging with mankind, or a big wolf howling. I look like the redheaded stepchild of the forest. Looking on the bright side,  I have cute kids and black socks. I do get some credit for being wise. I'm going to pick up a killer pig so that our kids can be Chupacabras. Then they'll pay attention.