I was a frog, hopping about in the small puddles that were all that remained from the spring rains. Mud stained my paws from the edges of the small pools, but I did not care. What did frogs care about mud after all? I was in mid-leap when a call rang out from nearby. I was so startled, I missed my landing, feet scrabbling over the slippery rocks. I fell undignified into the puddle, brown mud now staining from under my jaw, all the way to my tail, with only the back of me still gleaming white in the sunlight.

I stand up and immediately shake myself off, though it did little to rid my coat of the mud stains. But still, there was someone new nearby! I could hardly pass up the opportunity to make some more friends. Mud-tainted paws lead her swiftly to the source of the sound. My mud-splattered tail waves upward as I recognize one of the three wolves before me. Quick as I can, I make my way to Taika's side, bounding like a year old pup in my excitement.

"Taika!" I shout happily once I am near her. I skid to a halt in front of her, ears up and tail wagging almost frantically. "I was a frog playing in the puddles but then I heard a call and had to be a wolf again. Do you know these wolves? Are they friends? Will they play with us too?"

As I asked my questions, I spun around to better see who else had joined us by the water.