Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9 "I had spent the day fishing," Jackson said, wishing he could take all these kids back to that day. It was last June. The birds had come back from their winter getaways. Moose calves, fox kits, bear cubs, and baby rabbits were scampering around the forest with their mothers.

"On the way back to the cabin, I climbed up onto a high ridge that overlooked the valley." That view popped into Jackson's mind—the endless green forest, the bright sparkle of the river, how the snow-topped mountains looked as if they were wearing diamond crowns. "When I got to the top, I looked down. And right below me, maybe fifteen feet down, was a pack of wolves." The kids all gasped. "A whole pack!" Mary said. "I'd pee my pants if I saw a wolf pack," Chris said. Leonor elbowed him. "That's gross." "Sorry!" Chris said. "It's true!" Jackson understood why most people would be scared. Wolves were fierce predators—fast and tough, with jaws strong enough to bite through bones. But Jackson shook his head.

"Wolves don't usually bother with humans," Jackson explained. At least not in the summer, when there was plenty of food. "Plus, I was up on those rocks—they couldn't get up there. And there was a strong wind blowing toward me. I could smell the wolves, but they couldn't pick up my scent." Jackson could see the wolves so clearly. The pups scampered around, tackling one another, rolling in the mud like furry little wrestlers. The grown-ups lounged in the sun like they didn't have a worry in the world. "And then, out of nowhere, this huge grizzly came crashing out of the woods." "Yikes!" Chris yelped. For a second, Jackson wondered if he should stop. Was this too scary for them? "Go on!" Nora said, and the others nodded. Guess not. "The bear was massive," Jackson said. "I'd say it had to weigh a thousand pounds."

He remembered how the bear's muscles had rippled under its fur. "Grizzlies are way bigger and stronger than wolves," Jackson pointed out. "One swipe of a grizzly's paw can crack a skull, or slice open a wolf's belly." "That's gotta hurt!" Chris said with a wince. "Poor wolves!" Mary cried. "But here's the thing," Jackson said, lowering his voice. It surprised him that the kids were so interested. "Wolves don't fight alone. They fight as a pack. They stick together." He described how the grizzly went after one wolf, and how the other wolves came up behind the bear. "They growled and snarled and snapped at the bear's legs. They stood their ground, protecting one another." "Did it work?" Nora asked.

Jackson nodded. "The grizzly gave up eventually. It ran into the woods." "The wolves win!" Chris cried out, raising his arms. All the kids smiled. "That was a really amazing story, Jackson," Leonor said. "Better than a movie," Mary agreed.

Jackson sat back and took a deep breath. He was glad the kids liked his story. But he'd never talked so much in one day in his entire life. He could use some peace and quiet. Except at recess the kids wanted to play hide-and-seek. "Chris is it!" Nora shouted. Jackson played for a while. But as the kids were scattered around hiding behind piles of snow, Jackson realized this was his chance to steal some time for himself. He hurried all the way around the back of the school, far from the playground. He squeezed himself behind a shed and sat down. Finally, some peace. "You're a good hider," Leonor said when the bell rang and Jackson finally came out of his spot. The rest of the afternoon crept along. By three o'clock, Jackson's head was pounding. He