Emma's Blog Post

The Legend of Kitsune – Emma Harding

In a time long ago in a place far away lived a little girl named Rika Yume. She lived in a small, but
comfortable house at the edge of the forest with her father, mother, and older brother. The forest was
the mother of many mysteries, giving birth to many local folklores passed around. There have been
many stories born from it. One such, was the legend of Kitsune. Rika’s older brother always told her
stories about the Kitsune, much to their parents’ chagrin. One night, as her father was turning out the
light in her room he said...“Rika, you don’t believe all that Kitsune stuff your brother is telling you, doyou?” Rika turned to her father, and simply said, “Don’t you?”

The following day, Rika decided to look for the Kitsune herself. Sneaking out while her family was
running errands, she made her way into the mysterious woods. The forest seemed so beautiful. She was surrounded by enchanting greenery and the melodic sounds of birds everywhere. The sun gently shone through the leaves as Rika traveled deeper into the lush wood. Lost in the breath-taking scenery Rika suddenly heard a twig snap. As she whirled around startled, another realization suddenly hit her. She was lost. She looked around, desperately trying to see if anything looked familiar. Every path looked the same. “Will I ever get back home? Will I ever see my family again,” she began sniffling to herself? Suddenly tired, she sat down, buried her head in her knees and sobbed quietly.

The bushes rustled around her. But Rika didn’t even look up. All she wanted was to get out of this scary forest and go home. She felt something softly touch her hand. Thinking it was a bug, she recoiled it quickly, but then saw what it was. It was a rose. A beautiful velvet rose, boasting a strong white outline, and luscious silk-red petals. It was a rose unlike any she had seen before. Rika looked up and to her astonishment there sitting right in front of her, was the mythical Kitsune. It had captivating coal like black eyes, cherry red cheeks, small tufted ears, red paws matching its cheeks, and the brightest snow-white fur coat she had ever seen. Glancing at its tail in continued wonderment Rika saw it was ringed in an array of colors. First red, then orange, yellow, green, blue, periwinkle, indigo, purple, and pink. “Wow,” was all Rika could say to herself as she continued to stare!

The Kitsune sat up and walked slowly towards her. Rika stood transfixed. The Kitsune gently nudged her arm and turned in one direction. Rika stood up; the Kitsune started to walk along a chosen path. Rika it wanted her to follow, cautiously did so. From time to time the Kitsune would glance over its shoulder to make sure Rika was still following. After what now seemed like a short walk the Kitsune stopped at the edge of the forest. Rika stepped up beside it and there in front of her was her home. The Kitsune had led her home. She gasped in delight as she could hear her parents and brother calling her for her. Rika started to run towards their voices then stopped and turned towards the Kitsune. She knelt in front of it as the mythical creature sat down. “Thank you,” whispered Rika, cupping its face in her hands, and giving it a gentle headbutt.

The Kitsune nuzzled her cheek. She smiled and ran back to her family with open arms. Her father
scooped her up. “Where were you,” he asked? “In the forest,” replied Rika. “Why were you out there?” “More importantly, how did you get back?”asked her dad. Rika looked at her brother and smiled. “It guided me.” “Who?” asked her brother She looked towards the forest as her family followed her gaze. “The Kitsune. The Kitsune guided me home!” The family stared at the Kitsune flabbergasted. It stared back. It barked a seemingly happy bark, then turned and quickly dashed back into the forest. It was gone almost as quickly as it had appeared. And so the story of the Kitsune was no longer folklore to the Yume family. It was now part of history. The Yume family history.