Days with the Wolf

Author: Liu Xingshi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: This is an uneven battle, and the young wolf is clearly no match for the experienced eagle. They are confident and do not intend to waste too much energy on the young wolf, wanting to end the fight quickly. They move calmly in the wind, alternating their ascent and descent, launching light and heavy attacks from all directions to gradually exhaust the young wolf's strength. Then, they seize an opportunity to pounce fiercely, snatching it into the air. This is the art of hunting by the Altai eagle. It soars high, controlling the fate of its prey, tightening or loosening its grip at will. No small animal on the Gobi can withstand its deadly shadow cast by its wings, nor can it escape. We arrived just in time. The panicked young wolf, pecked and scarred, howled in despair. It had just been born, lacking both experience and strength. On this Gobi of survival of the fittest, how could it possibly stand up to two energetic great eagles? It could no longer resist, whimpering and retreating behind a cluster of saxaul bushes, trying to hide among the sparse plants. The eagles in the sky were waiting for this moment. As soon as the moment came, one eagle swooped down, aiming for its throat, like an arrow released from a bow. The other eagle spread its sharp talons and dove from the side. This was an unstoppable killing move. The Altai eagle often uses this tactic of attacking from both the front and the side to confuse its prey, leaving it unsure of which direction to defend. Eventually, the prey is snatched up, its limbs dangling in the air, lifted far into the sky. The young wolf panicked, letting out a fierce howl as it teetered toward the eagle's talons. "Quick, go up! Don't let the eagle get it!" I shouted to Lao Lv, loosening the reins. "Why are you meddling in this nonsense? It's a good thing there's one less wolf on the Gobi. We can enjoy the show." He replied impassively, urging his horse to stand still by his side. "No, this fight is too unfair!" I urged, unable to argue with him and instead galloping forward, swinging my sledgehammer to drive away the two great eagles. The horse also grew agitated, jumping and neighing as it circled the rocky wasteland, shielding the dazed young wolf at its center. The eagles were disturbed and reluctantly flapped their wings, rising into the air. Though they feared the tall horse and my "weapon," they could not bear to give up their prey. They circled low in the air, lingering hesitantly, unwilling to leave. I lowered my head to look at the young wolf curled under the hooves, bewildered by the sudden intervention. It couldn't tell what this "intruder" was. Through its wide-open pupils, I could see its heart. This naive creature must see me as an opponent in the eagle's hunt for prey. The wild nature of the wolf tells it that all creatures are either food or enemies, except for its own kind. My "giant" on horseback, having driven away the fierce eagles, now posed an even greater threat. How should I deal with this poor thing?