The Deer

&
the Kudzu

By Zak Bilodeau
 At daybreak, the Deer and her fawn calmly
patrolled the borders of an expansive meadow,
pausing to bask in the early morning. They
took their time at the watering hole,
appreciating the spectacle of life flourishing all
around.

Gazing across the surface, the Deer noticed a brown

Kudzu pod, sent adrift by the wind. It settled in the
bank among the wildflowers and reeds. The Deer
approached the Kudzu with much anticipation,
excited at the thought of a new companion.
“You must have traveled from afar!” she said, never
having seen this peculiar seed before. “You have
found yourself in the right place. My home is a
sanctuary. You are welcome here. Take root!
There is plenty to share.”

The Deer spent considerable time observing the

Kudzu, watching as the pod unfurled, spitting seeds
into the dirt. In a matter of days, sprouts turned to
hard stems, bringing thick bushy leaves. The Kudzu
was thriving in the rich soil and moisture of the
meadow. Thanks to the Deer’s kindness, he would
grow to great heights.
 “How vast this haven is! There is no
end in sight!” the Kudzu remarked.
“You have a home unlike any other. ”

The Deer, delighted with the shower of

compliments, was oblivious to the conspiring
tone in his voice. The Kudzu assured the
Deer her kindness would not be gone to
waste.

A chill crept down her spine...

 As time passed, the Deer’s visits
became shorter, sometimes even
skipping a day. Her companion did
not provide her with the same
company he once did. He was now
towering over her, frighteningly tall.

The tangled, dark mass of vines

overflowed in every direction. His
growth seemed to have no end. He
bellowed and grumbled. Sweet words
could no longer conceal his sinister
presence. The Deer leaped through the
vines with caution, weaving closer to
the bank. She examined the withering
remains of clover and sweetgrass,
choked by darkness under the grip of
leaves. Despite her nervousness, the
Deer confronted the Kudzu.
“What a mess you are! My companions are being
trampled and the beauty is being sapped from my
meadow. You are intruding beyond your bounds!”
she said, beginning to tremble, unable to hide her
fear. “You are no longer welcome!”

Her desperate cries were met with an abominable

roar.

“How naive could you be! My roots are far too deep
and my leaves are too wide-spread. How could I
leave this land after experiencing such prosperity?
You are truly too kind for your own good!” He
mocked the Deer relentlessly.
 What was
once a sanctuary,
full of flourishing
flowering plants and
creatures of all sizes, had
been reduced to a maze of
creeping vines. The Deer
She was appalled by the stood her ground.
Kudzu's response; she had
been utterly betrayed.
The Kudzu exploited the
Deer’s kindness, taking her “Yes, perhaps I’ve
home for himself. He misplaced my trust in you,
stripped the meadow of its but I know my kindness is
fertile soil, buzzing not weakness,” she said,
mornings, and gentle planting her legs to hide
streams. her shaking. “I will not
fall nor cower in
the face of your greed.”
The Deer reflected on her words, turning away from
the rampant overgrowth she once offered her
companionship. She gained determination with each
step away. She would not stand for how her home
was swept from under her hooves. With her fawn by
her side, she made a vow.

Set boundaries.
Do not let others take advantage of your kindness.

An ember had been ignited. They ventured away

from the twisted being, embarking on a journey
for a new home. One that she would share with
her companions and protect with her life.