A Fable About Solitude

There once was a lean sleek fox who lived in the woods.
He had never met another fox.
He vaguely remembers sucking at his mother's tit but does not remember her face.
And that was fine with him.
The fox owned the woods.
He knew every inch.
Patches of sun to bask in.
Shadowed crannies for hiding.
Mulberry bushes with plump black berries.
He also knew where all the rats, rabbits, and wild birds lived. Easy pickings.
He knew the best climbing trees.
He was content.
The fox woke up every morning with a grin on his face and a hop in his step.
He didn't talk to anyone, not really. He had no one to talk to.
But who needs talk when you have everything you need?
One day as he was chasing the scent of some wild blueberries on the edge of the woods.
He loved blueberries. Yum.
Suddenly, the fox caught an unfamiliar scent on the wind.
Something he had never smelled before.
He went to investigate.
Carefully, he crept through the brush.
He came upon a fox family.
"Hello, young fox do you know the way through these woods?" said the father fox.
The fox stood stunned.
"Our den was dug up by man and our woods was cut down. We're looking for a new home." said the mother fox.
Still he did not speak.
"Help us please." said the cub.
"Of course." the fox grinned "I can get you through the forest but it will take days to travel through."
"Days we have, a home we do not." the father fox said.
And so they went.
As they traveled the fox took the family by all of his hidden and secret places.
He made sure they were well fed and showed them the sights to see in his woods.
He talked and talked. He was so happy.
After a few days they came to the end of the woods.
"Thank you for your help young fox. Your woods is quite nice but I fear man will be coming here soon. Would you like to come with us?" the father fox asked.
The fox thought. He had enjoyed his time with the other foxes. Loved it in fact.
But this was his home. The only place he knew.
"This is my home, I cannot leave, but I wish you a safe and peaceful trip."
They shared smiles, yips, and nips. The fox family disappeared into the brush.
The fox stood looking after them.
He had lived alone, content for years. Or so he thought.
As he looked after them he felt a hole open inside himself.
A longing he had never known.