The Black Hills

Once in the Highlands of Scotland, there was a forest that was full of colour and happiness. The animals who lived there were kind and carefree, living their lives to the full. However, one terrible day, man came and chopped down all the trees. Some men killed the animals living there, and some even built houses where trees used to be. Over time, the hills surrounding the forest turned dark and lifeless. The wise bird of the forest, Elder Owl, foretold a prophecy that one deer will meet up with another deer from the neighbouring forest. Should they form a strong bond, they will be forever united, and colour and trees would be restored to the forest.

In the Black Hills lived Grey Hill, a dark-furred stag whose world was always dull. There were no trees to eat leaves from, no bushes, no flowers and no water flowing in the rivers. He always obeyed the rules and stayed close to the dull, grey creatures of the land. However, in the neighbouring forest lived a beautiful orange-furred doe called Kena. She filled her life with sunshine and smiles and loved to fill her heart with the scent of flowers and some fun games with her friends, a skunk and a squirrel. It was a lot more fun than what was in the Black Hills.

One day, Grey Hill decided to explore the forest near the Black Hills. However, as he wandered through this bright and colourful forest, everything turned black and grey behind him. The leaves disappeared from the trees and the flowers wilted. However, upon meeting Kena, Grey Hill was really nervous. He tried hard to say hello, but Kena interrupted with a promise that they can restore what has been left of her forest together, rather than crying about it. So they set off back to the Black Hills side by side, and as they did, life began to restore the forest back to its original state. As they approached the Black Hills, grass began to grow once again. Flowers appeared, water began to flow in the river and bursts of light from the sun filled the air where dark clouds once used to cover the sky. The two locked eyes on one another, and then kissed suddenly. That kiss caused a giant love heart to form outside of them, and then it burst, spraying rain all over the valley. Trees began to grow almightily all around them, and then, a miracle happened: animals returned to what was once known as the Black Hills immediately.

Grey Hill and Kena married, and sunshine and happiness returned to the Black Hills, marking the start of a new era for one of the Highlands' most dreariest places. And the two deer, as you can guess, lived happily ever after.