Runt

After getting lost on the hunt, Runt waits for an opportunity to prove himself to the pack. He believes that he finds it during a storm. While all the other pups run into the den for cover, Runt stays outside, sure that he can brave whatever nature throws at him. When trees are split by lightning and thunder roars overhead, Runt realizes that he has made a mistake. Panicked, he runs, yelling for help. Finally, he finds the clearing with the den, only to realize that it’s the wrong clearing. Alone and lost, he wonders, “[W]hat would his father’s golden gaze say when he looked at his son now?” (45). Runt starts to howl, and a strange two-legged creature emerges from a nearby structure. At once, Runt realizes that it’s a human, and he runs away, frightened. Soon, though, his fright turns to excitement, as he plans to tell King that he bravely faced a human.

Rather than thinking that Runt is brave, King scolds him: Wolves are supposed to know better than to go near humans. As Runt trudges away,