Hushed Willows Beneath the Bowed Head of Mother Willow

the world had been turned upside down, and this animal looked amused.

"it's just not right." he said. "do you talk to the fawns you hunt as well? maybe the rabbits, too? and don't tell me you've never had bird."

he felt as if explaining things to a hatchling. "just because your kind's useful to mine doesn't mean we should be chit-chatting like pals! voles are useful to both of us, yet we don't debate the weather with them, hm?" 

although, for all the raven known as thirteen knew, this amalia often discussed treetop politics with squirrels.