gifts always make others smile

Rain had just fallen over the Hallows' lands when Bramble made her way outside of the castle's gates. Down from the stone steps and out into the wide field that expanded to the grove's outer edges, she enjoyed the early summer sun. It rose slowly over the eastern edge with warm rays cascading through lingering clouds. She had heard the adults talking about how this summer was wetter and cooler than the previous, but she wasn't sure what it really meant. This was her first summer after all and the slight bit of warmth felt nice against her shedding coat!

Within her jaws, Bramble held a rusty bucket she had found in a storage room when no one was looking. Having filled it up with water, she wandered around the plains looking for thin and pliable sticks. Around her neck was a bundle of twine that had been dyed previously in a rainbow of colors. In a small satchel borrowed from one of the adults that hung around her neck were a myriad of beads and bird feathers. From afar, one might be curious as to what the young girl was planning, but to her it all made sense! The plan was to craft some wall decorations for her siblings and other packmates. From watching and conversing with others, she noticed that gifts always seemed to make everyone smile.

So here she was, with her supplies, gathering sticks to place into her bucket of water. The more pliable they were, the easier they would be to work with! Her new friends Audra and Laeta had shown her that trick! Also, the thinner and longer the better! Continuing her journey to find the perfect sticks, Bramble was thoroughly distracted by her task. She would hum quietly to herself as she focused on finishing up gathering her materials. Any time she looked up, the plains were still void of any other pack members. Bramble thought it was odd but perhaps they were too far for her to see.

It didn't really bother Bramble that she was alone. The decorations would make for better gifts if they were a surprise! Pleased with the number of sticks she had gathered as the afternoon carried on, the young pup found a quiet area that had been cleared of grass. A good-sized boulder stuck up in the center with a decently flat top. Perfect for her to craft on! Placing her bucket full of water and sticks, the satchel full of beads and feathers, and finally the bundle of twine all on the boulder, Bramble sat in front of it. Giving her forelimbs a good stretch, she took a moment to decide who would get the first one.

"Everyone deserves one," she whispered to herself as she glanced up at the sky. A single lonely cloud rolled by. It sure was lonely out here... Closing her eyes, Bramble thought of the one wolf she wished were there to help keep her company. Seconds pass before a warm feeling of love and safety fills her. Of course! Her mom deserved the first decoration! Popping open her eyes while her tail wagged excitedly behind her, Bramble grabbed a stick from her water bucket. Testing its pliability between her paws, she could easily bend and twist it into the shape she needed. Taking a second stick from the bucket, the pup twisted the two sticks together before quickly tying them together and finishing them up by clasping them into a circle. Her fisher companion, Bristle, was there to help her when she needed an extra paw.

After the circle was closed, she grabbed a length of teal twine from her rainbow pile. Attaching one end of it to the twiggy circle, she began feeding beads down the twine. Then she would stretch the twine across the circle, wrap it a few times, and then stretch it to a different section. By the time she was done, the circle ended up looking like a bead-filled spiderweb. She made sure to use many different colored beads. One color for each of her and her siblings and their dad. She added extra shiny and colorful ones to represent her extended family and the pack as well. In the afternoon light, when Bramble moved it from side to side, the whole art piece would shimmer when the rays hit the glass beads.

"Just gotta add the feathers!" The pup chirped to herself as she continued to admire her handiwork. Noticing that it was getting rather late in the day, Bramble knew she had to hurry to finish her project. Taking shorter bits of blue and brown twine, she attached them to the bottom of the circle while braiding white, blue, and yellow feathers into it. Once she was satisfied with the project, she held it up to watch it twirl in the gentle breeze. "Aren't dream catchers so pretty? I hope mom likes it," Bramble whispered to herself as she smiled at Bristle. "Let's go show her!" Her excitement could hardly be contained as she gathered up her items and packed them away before making her way back into the castle.

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