A vixen was lying down in her den in a lot of pain. She was licking her paw which had gotten injured in a trap earlier that morning. Luckily she had managed to retrieve her leg before it could get crushed by the hunter's snares. Still, mumma fox had gotten her paw scratched badly and it was bleeding. She couldn't step on it so she dragged herself back into her den and rested. There would be no dinner tonight in the fox house.
The following day the little fox didn't go to school. His mumma was not feeling well and he had to look after her. The young cub was so attentive and caring towards her that she smiled back at him in gratitude. In the afternoon, when all the youngsters finished school and went out to play, the kit could not join them. That made him a little sad but he knew he had to find something to eat, so they could have dinner that night. He wished he hadn't had to go searching for food but there was no one else to provide food and he understood that. He found some old apples in the hundred year old orchard, and although they were not great, the vixen and her cub ate them with delight, grateful to have dinner at all.
The days passed and his mum was feeling a bit better so he started going to school. However, he had to rush home straight after to check on her. There were many chores she wasn't able to do, so he had to fill in for her. Sometimes the little fox would cry when his mum could not see him as he couldn't play with the other foxes the way he used to after school and that made him sad. The cub felt overwhelmed by the whole situation. He thought then, that life wasn't fair, that he was only little and he should be able to play with other kits. At other times, the pup felt happy that he could look after his mum and he beamed with pride when she called him her little hero.
On some days, he was too tired to focus in the class and other cubs laughed at his absent-mindedness and confused look. The teacher knew about the little fox's home situation and tried to prevent others from poking fun at him but it was no use. The other kits did not have to provide care to anyone and so they could not imagine his hardship.
It took a long time but eventually mumma fox recovered fully from her injuries. She was fit and agile again. She could hunt and look after herself and her cub. The little fox could go back to being a little fox, playing with his friends, having ample time to study and being carefree again.
There are many quiet heroes among us. Showing our compassion and understanding is often all the help they need. Let's be of kind spirit and remember that we have one hand to help ourselves and the other to help those around us. There might be silent heroes, just like our little fox, going through a tough time right next to us. Let's always remember to be kind.
