The Village

Deep in an earthy valley of roots and trees
Sat a small village of burrows and dens
Wildlife of all kind called the village home
From deer to fishercat to little house wrens

A happy family of white-tailed deer
Lived in the bustling center of the town
A happy mother, father, and a curious young
Who, peculiarly, often bore a frown

She wandered through the village
On one bright summer morning
To play with some hopeful friends
Colors and beauty they were adorning

Yet today as the deer took a risk
And considered playing with others new
They merely gawked at her appearance
She would have stayed away if only she'd knew

However, determined to fit in
With the pretty-appearing crowd
She marched away into the forest
Her soft footsteps never loud
 
On a mission she was for beauty
Just wanted to become one of them
She searched the trees and the leaves
She gasped in surprise, for then

A big black bear emerged from the forest
He addressed her sweetly: "Hello, Deer"
Treading on large feet and hands
"You seem in need---that's why I'm here"

"Indeed," she agreed, "I search for beauty"
"For the animals disallowed me to play"
"Ah," said the bear with a wise grin
"Take this necklace to keep away the gray"

Adorned in the jewels the deer bid thanks
And continued happily on her way
Glad for the promise of flawless light fur
Until something called to her, "Hey!"

A beautiful blue jay had fluttered down
"My gift to you, little Deer, is this cloak"
"That ensures proportionality and"
"Pleasing features, appealing to all folk"

The deer bid the bird thanks
And traipsed through the wood
Confident and pleased and finally sure
That her appearance would be good

Lastly emerged a slender red fox
Who greeted the deer with a sly grin
"Take this crown and your eyes
Wide and bright will surely win"

"Many thanks to you," the deer replied
"Ah, yet know that if this arrangement"
"Rises any qualms, come to me," the fox said
"And I will aid your estrangement"

"Indeed, although I'm sure no qualms will arise"
The deer called as the fox trotted off
Alas, the deer returned to little village
When seeing her, no animals did scoff

Instead, their faces dropped into surprise
From then on they gratefully accepted
The white-tailed deer into all of their play
It felt nice to no longer be rejected

However, in a game of sharks and minnows
She observed a feeling that had been
Nagging at her for hours upon hours
So the others were not looking when

She dashed off into the forest
"Fox, I'm here, you were right, I suppose"
The sleek fox came forward from the brush
Leading with his little pink nose

"I was finally included in the animals' games"
"I was no longer alone as I became we"
"All of this beauty is nice and appealing"
"But it just doesn't feel like the real me"

"Indeed," said the wise fox
With a little wise nod
"Many, like you, take great lengths"
"Just to not seem odd"

"Yet in reality, it's not actually"
"The right thing to do"
"What is right?" the little deer inquired
The fox said, "For you to just be you"

Th deer returned her pretty gifts
And went back to the little town
Smiling as bright as a summer sunshine
She trotted, not making a sound

The animals of village no longer ever
Invited the white-tailed deer to play
But who wants to play with those who only
Care about appearance anyway

With the fox watching from the forest
And new, kind friends of her own
The young deer finally felt at peace
She could be herself, and she was home