The wolf did not attack. It came almost all the way, stopped, and then… lowered its head and howled softly, as if speaking to the old man.

The man, not understanding what was happening, reached out his hand – and the creature did not flinch. On the contrary, it allowed him to touch its thick fur.

And then the old man remembered. Many years ago, when he was still full of strength, he had found a young wolf in the forest caught in a poacher’s trap.