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Once upon a time, far away, there was a land of foxes. It was happy and peaceful and all the foxes loved and helped one another. Their towns were all nestled in a large valley surrounded by gigantic mountains. As far as anyone knew, there was no way through them. They were perpetually stormy, dark and scary. The foxes all stayed away, content to live in their happy land.

However, in one of the smallest villages, in the smallest house, lived a fox, the smallest fox of them all. Nobody knew why he didn't get bigger. No one really cared though. They were still happy and friendly too him. But he was rather.... odd. He questioned things.

"Why did the sun make them so hot?" "It just did," they'd say. "Why is our fur this color?" "What else would it be?" they'd ask back. He was eternally asking his silly questions. Always, always his mind would wonder..."what's beyond the mountains? Why are they so dark and stormy?"

On this particular day, we find him sitting and staring out his window. Wondering that very question for the million and fifth time. His bags were packed, bulging with items of every sort. Because of course, like all foxes, he was clever and he had planned for many things. He was determined to see over the mountains. He had to know. He was clever and curious, and THAT was strange for a fox.

So he set out. His friends and family worried, and wished he would stay and be safe, but he would not listen. He picked up one bag and slung it over his back and carried another by a strap, then headed out. He walked and walked, the mountains being a lot farther away than he thought. They must be unimaginably big to seem so close. He walked endlessly, sometimes through the night in his hurry and excitement.

After walking for so long, he left one of his bags, having gone through all of its food. He worried, but knew he couldn't go back, not without his question being answered. After more marching, he was weak and hungry...but he had arrived near the first slopes of the mountains! He smiled, but was also sad. It had taken all his strength only to get this far. He was a tiny fox, and felt too weak to climb.

Suddenly, he smelled smoke, but most importantly, he smelled food. Looking around, he saw a shabby house. He'd never heard of anyone living out here. He went to it. Inside he found an old, old fox sitting in a chair near a fireplace. He went up to the old fox and introduced himself. The old one was simply called Tien, and he smiled and was happy to see the small fox.

When he found out why the fox was here, his smile turned a little sad. "Aye...there's a way through. Only one, and it carries a heavy price," he said, poking at the fire with his gnarled old cane. The small fox was excited to hear this. Maybe there wouldn't be so much climbing. He ignored what Tien had said of prices, and shared food with him and rested to regain his strength. Tien wanted to say more, but he knew nothing would dissuade the little fox, so focused he was on his one question.

So after a few days, he simply waved goodbye as the fox made his way up the slopes. As he walked, the small fox found old, old steps leading up the mountain. They went on and on, up into the dark storm clouds. He followed them up, excited. As it got steeper, he pulled a stout cane from his bag to help him. As it grew darker and windier, he put on a good coat to protect him and pulled out a stone that glowed to light his way. He climbed, his legs shaking, his fur matted and feeling chilled to the bone. But he couldn't give up.

At last, the stairs led to a cave, not all the way over the mountains like he had thought. Inside was surprisingly warm and despite the howling wind, it was quiet and comfortable. At the end of the cave, was a fox. 'Maybe,' he thought. It was unlike any fox he'd ever met. Her fur, for he knew it was a girl, was blacker than deepest night. If not for three soft glowing candles and his stone he'd never have seen her. More puzzlingly, she had three tails, not just one. As usual his mind burst, all of his why's and how's wanting to tumble out.

She smiled at him, and asked in a soft voice why he was here. Of course, despite his curiosity, the biggest question got out first. "What's over the mountains?" he asked. She smiled again. "Freedom," she said. The small fox was confused. "But we're already free. I can choose if I want fish or bread," he said. The strange black fox shook her head. "More than that," she said. "Freedom to choose all things, to be all things, to do all things. Infinite potential, ultimate happiness."

The small fox blinked still slightly confused. "That sounds good I suppose," he said. She gave a small sigh. "There is a cost, my sweet fox. For there must be balance in all things." He asked what it was. Surely it couldn't be too terrible. She looked deep into his eyes. Hers were a sparkling, mesmerizing purple.

"Think of your fellow foxes, she said. They are content. They do not question anything. They do not change, they do not wonder, they do not risk. They are not free, but they are provided for, and they are satisfied. They are not truly happy, but they are at peace." The small fox frowned. "They seemed happy enough," he said. "It is the bliss of ignorance," she replied. "It is happiness of a sort, but it is not true joy."

The small fox came closer and sat down. "So what is the cost of joy?" he asked. She tilted her head. "To show you the cost is to make you pay it. You will never go back to your home if you know. You will never fit in or feel comfortable at home. You will have to go beyond the mountains." "What of my family?" He said slowly. She sighed again. "They will not wonder. They might think of you, or miss you occasionally, but they will not question why you have not come back. You simply won't, and they will accept it."

The small fox sat back and thought. It had always been a strange habit of his. Finally he decided, if he went back now, he'd never feel comfortable anyways, not knowing. So he asked again.

The black, three tailed fox put her paw on his chest, and showed him. Feelings and knowledge flooded into him, he suddenly knew things he'd never considered before. People could be cruel. You could steal, you could tell someone a falsehood. You could hate someone. The small fox wept. He'd never considered any of these things in all his questions.

But suddenly new things occurred to him. He felt how good it was to tell the truth, when he knew how to lie. How it felt to love someone utterly, when it was so tempting to let hate inside you.

After a few moments he looked down. He was no longer small. He was a full-grown fox, more so than any fox on the valley. His fur was black now, and as his tail twitched, he turned and saw he now had three as well.

He turned to her, and said thank you but asked why he felt so sad. She replied, "Because the real world is sadness, and pain. But that is what makes pure joy so wonderful to feel." She smiled slowly. He smiled back.

She showed that behind her were more stairs that would lead him the rest of the way. He kissed her forehead and went on. He did miss his family a bit. The sweet life he had known.

But now his potential was limitless. His life was full of possibilities. Excitedly he went onward, eagerly beginning his life's adventure. His freedom.

The End