The Tail That Held Spring — Under the hill meadow’s soft morning hum, Oren nosed a little wooden comb through the grass. Read the full story →
Under the hill meadow’s soft morning hum, Oren nosed a little wooden comb through the grass. He wanted to make a welcome mat for the first bees, using the pale fur he had brushed from his winter coat. The comb had belonged to the fence maker, and its teeth were worn smooth as river pebbles. But each time Oren gathered enough fluff, the breeze lifted it away in silky clouds.
He tucked the comb between two fence rails and tried again. Scratch, gather, twist. The fur smelled like sun-warmed clover. A daisy bent close, then another, catching loose wisps on their stems. “Hold still, please,” Oren whispered, and curled his tail around the soft pile like a warm basket. The fluff stayed. His paws worked slowly, proudly, until a small round nest of fur and flower threads rested in the grass.
When the first bees arrived, their wings made a pleased little zzzzz. They crawled into the cozy mat and shook off the cold. Ever since then, meadow dogs have carried their tails high and curled, keeping a bit of spring safe until it is needed. Next time you see Oren’s tail among the flowers, can you spot where spring is being held?
