Day 65 of Wonder

We grew up on tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and big bad wolves. These stories have created for many a strange prejudice towards these stunning animals. In the Stromberg forest, a couple of kilometres from where a pack of wolves live in a carefully managed environment, a monument to wolves and their last stand in Baden Württemberg perches. The last free wolf was shot near here back in 1847.

Today the eerie sound of the caged pack joining their voices together in an unmistakable howl follows you into the forest. The sound quickens my heart beat and hairs shoot up off my skin, almost as if I recognise the call. But still, I'm human and instead await to hear a responding howl from within the forest. Why? Because ironically, wolves are being re-introduced back into the wild.

So we have a monument to the hatred and fear of the past, wolves kept within a fence for safe viewing and a desire to see them returned to the wild.

Today's day of wonder is a quiet one. A curiosity towards human frailty. An awe at the mystery that wolves evoke in all our psyches.