An Unexpected Meeting

No-one was in sight as I walked quietly, the distant hum of traffic
in my ears. I had seen nobody for the past five minutes or so, and felt
that I was alone.

The noise behind me made me aware that this was not the case. I
stopped, and stood there, considering my next move. To the left and
right there was very little activity. One could almost believe that
nothing had happened.

The noise came again. This time, I knew that I could not stay where I
was. Slowly, I turned around, making as little noise as possible.

I looked up, and there he was, looking into my eyes. For a moment, all
was still. I cast my mind back. Hadn't this happened previously?

Of course! Was it a month ago, or three? When it had happened no longer
mattered; all that was important now was that this meeting ended like
the previous one, peaceful and final.

The moment could not last. Keeping a wary eye on me, he began to move
to his right. Slowly, making it clear that I was on his turf, he
disappeared behind the tree and continued to peacefully eat the berry
clutched in his front paw.

I waited for a moment, smiled, and continued down the path, under the
trees.