//------------------------------//
// Fright in the Night 
// Story: Zecora's Book of Horrific Tales 
// by Nirtha 
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Zecora's Book of Horrific Tales
Chapter 1: Fright in the Night
by Nirtha






Welcome, dear children, to my humble hut
Tonight I have a story of a wooden mut
I start you off with a story quite light
One with less fear - to end with more delight

Once upon a dark eerie night
Just the kind to instill you with fright
When I was a filly - when you were not born
I went in search of those tales left forlorn
I was so young- I had not put thought
Into the signs that my eyes ever caught
My days went so quickly but hours so slow
I just wanted fun and places to go
So off I went in search of some fun
Off through the trees away from the setting sun
I played and played all on my own
Among the trees and plants overgrown

Far from home- I had not fled
For I had fears of ending up dead
So near the edge, I trotted and hopped
Yes I was alone but imagination never stopped
I laughed at myself and observed all around
It was a joyous night until I heard the sound

A yelp and a howl from somewhere far
When no light came but from moon and star
My playing did cease, my ears twitched and turned
All was still, but my stomach had churned
Back then the sound was new
The creatures of which I knew were few
My heart skipped a beat, my head began to spin
I tried to cover it up with a forced laugh and grin
“It’s just far away, no reason to worry”
I told myself as I trotted away in a hurry

I got home quite safe, but forgot the next day
All about the noise that I heard far away
So again that night - to the forest - I went
I completely lost track of how much time was spent
I enjoyed the night and played like before
I knew not of what the night had in store
Not until I heard the low but clear growl
Something was around - something on the prowl

I made a quick turn - startled by the sound
But a pile of twigs was all I had found
I backed away - afraid to turn my back
Thinking something would jump out of the stack
Soon I saw the twigs move and stir
And then there was a dog - one that had no fur

It’s size matched my own
It’s big green eyes had shone
It’s body was made entirely of wood
The situation was nothing close to good
My first sighting of a timberwolf- though I didn’t know
I only knew to trot away - I knew I had to go

To get out of the forest - I trotted as fast as I could
Away from that wolf entirely made of wood
I went the wrong way - confused and afraid
I got myself lost - from the path I had strayed.
Behind me the timberwolf was running
I had to lose it - I had to be cunning
I turned this way and that - I jumped over a log
That didn’t help a thing -  I only got lost in some fog

I used it as an advantage - the fog gave me a chance
If I didn’t hurr - the timberwolf would advance
So I turned around and trotted passed it
Vision was so blurred that we almost hit
Luckily we did not - we only barely touched
Still, it noticed, and after me, again, it rushed
I trotted faster - my hooves began to burn
I had gotten so dizzy - I barely managed each turn
I escaped the forest but still didn’t stop 
The wolf’s green eyes glowed off the window of a shop

I was almost home but losing strength
My speed had slowed for the rest of the length
Behind me, the timberwolf grew near
When I turned to see, my heartbeat sped in fear
I trotted as far as I could -I wouldn't look back
As tired as I grew - I couldn't let myself slack
My very life was on the line - I couldn't give in
Breaks were no luxury, even though my head did spin
I took turns in hope of getting away
But right behind me the wolf did stay

Behind a bakery - through streets and alleys
We passed them all as we ran - soon reaching valleys
Again, I had to turn, needing to stay close to home
Already I had been lost enough - no more could I roam
I made a run behind a house - the timberwolf turned as well
I noticed and made a turn and over a bench, nearly fell
The wolf noticed I slipped way but caught up very quick
I knew it would be a very long night and on my trail it would stick

Through the night, I had trotted so long
My body was starting to feel quite wrong
Sore was I - inside and out
All I wanted to do then was shout
I couldn't trot anymore - my hooves had been worn
My legs had burned as if every muscle was torn
I managed to keep goin, but not for very long
I thought I would be safe but something went very wrong

A rock was in my path - of course I did not see
In my haste, I tripped and hit a tree
I sat up, my head feeling heavy with pain
I wanted to get away but there was nothing more to gain
The timberwolf was right before my eyes
It tilted its head at the sound of my cries

I sat in fear but the wolf began to whine
It was then I knew that I would be fine
The wolf sat and let out little cries
Looking at me with glowing eyes
I looked back in confusion and wonder
Had it all been an unnecessary blunder?
The wolf approached - I resisted the urge to yell
For I knew the look in it’s eyes - I knew it quite well
The wolf was just lonely - it must have wanted to play
So for a little while - I decided to stay
My fears faded away - the wolf and I had fun
I enjoyed the night with it - until back home, it decided to run


I had only met a baby - that I soon learned
But aftere that night I trod with more concern
How lucky I had been, not to find one grown
Just remember, dear children, don’t trod the forest alone
You never know what you may find
The forest, dear children, is not known to be kind