The ranger spotted them from afar. Four men were crossing the clearing with rifles, dragging their catch behind them. He walked straight toward them and said firmly:
— Stop the hunt immediately and leave the forest. This is a protected area.
They glanced at each other and burst out laughing. The old man stood alone against four strong, brazen men who felt untouchable.
— You’ll pay for those words, old man. The one who can order us around hasn’t been born yet, one of them sneered.
It happened fast. They grabbed him, threw him into the snow, and tied his hands and feet. He struggled, but he stood no chance.
— Let’s hang him from a tree as live bait. The bears and wolves will feast today, another said.
They tossed a rope over a thick branch, hoisted him upside down, and pulled the knots tight. Blood rushed to his head. His vision blurred.
— Enjoy your time. We’ll come back tomorrow for your bones, they shouted, laughing as they walked away.
Heavy snow began to fall. The forest grew silent. The old man hung helplessly, upside down, his hands numb. He knew he couldn’t free himself, no matter how hard he tried.
He screamed for help, but only the forest answered. Then he heard a faint rustling.
He expected people. Instead, a gray shadow stepped between the trees.
A wolf.
At first, it stood at a distance, watching him carefully. Then it took one step. And another. Snow crunched under its paws. Its amber eyes never left him.
The ranger went still.
— This is it… the end, he thought. — My time has come.
When the wolf let out a long howl, everything inside him tightened.
— It’s calling the others…
He was already saying goodbye to life when the animal did something that made his breath catch and a cold shiver run down his spine. 🫣😱
The wolf jumped up and clamped its teeth onto the rope. The old man thought it was trying to reach him. The rope strained and creaked. He forced his eyes open and saw the wolf tearing at the rope — not at him.
On the third pull, the knot loosened. The rope snapped, and he crashed into the snow. He lay there, stunned, unable to believe he was alive. The wolf stood beside him, breathing heavily, watching him calmly, as if it recognized him.
Then he remembered.
The previous winter, while patrolling, he had found a trap set by poachers. A young wolf was caught in it, its paw crushed in the iron jaws, growling and snapping in pain.
He could have walked away. Instead, he covered the animal with his jacket, carefully opened the trap, and set it free.
The wolf had turned back then and looked at him for a long moment.
Now it did the same.
The old man slowly tried to stand. The wolf stepped back, let out one short howl, and quietly disappeared into the trees.
