Week 3 Story: The Special Deer

In the forest near a town there were many stories told of the deer that inhabited that forest. Of how they once helped saints or were befriended by them. There were two famous stories of these situations that were told to the children of the town. The first was the story of Athracta. Back in the day of kings and noblemen, Athracta lived in the forest with the animals. She was a gentle woman who helped wary travelers and was self-sufficient. One day, the King decreed that all people of the kingdom visit the palace and bring 3 gold pieces. Athracta wrote to the King and begged him to pardon her from this, for she had no money and was unable to earn it in time. The King showed no mercy and ordered her to come to the palace with what was requested. Athracta called out to the deer of the forest and asked them for help. The deer searched the land far and wide for gold pieces to help their dear friend. Three lucky deer found the coveted treasure and rushed back to a waiting Athracta on the last day of the deadline. Overjoyed she ran to the palace with her friends by her side to tell the King of her little helpers. While listening to the story the King's heart ached for, he had seen how cruel he had been to poor Athracta. The King decreed that she would no longer have to serve him and would be under his personal protection. Athracta lived the rest of her days in the forest with her beloved friends.
The second famous story that was told was the story of Saint Giles and his best friend the red deer. Giles lived out in the forest and only had one friend to keep him company. It was a beautiful rare red deer that loved him with all her heart. People in the town would sometimes seem them together walking near the stream and Giles talking to her. One day there was a hunt that was happening in the forest. Giles heard the dogs and the horns and thought to himself that he didn't much care for those people. Walking into his cave turned home, he felt something was off. Suddenly, a dog sprang from the shadows and attacked Giles. Crying out for help, suddenly the dog was thrown off of him. The red deer had heard his cries and ran to his aid. Hugging his friend, Giles thanked her for the help but noticed his clothes were stained red. Inspecting the deer he found an arrow lodged in her side and felt his heart sink. Giles prayed over his friend and begged for her to be healed. Miraculously, the arrow popped out of the deer's side and the wound was closed up. It was like the arrow had never pierced the skin. Giles thanked the sky and ran to tell the town of the wonderful miracle that had happened. After, disappearing back into the woods only accompanied by his beloved friend.


Author's Note: I decided to bring two stories together because of the same animal in both. In the original story of Saint Athracta, the King orders the kingdom to bring wood to build a fort. Athracta is forced to chop wood which makes her hands bleed and bruise. The deer come into the story when the horses that were carrying the wood were too weak to move any more. They came to help Athracta and take it to the kingdom. The King is ashamed at seeing Athracta's hands and the deer having to help her. He decrees the same thing in my story in the original, freeing her from her servitude from him. 
The second story follows the same storyline for most of the way. The changes I decided to make were to the arrow situation and the dog attacking Saint Giles. In the original story, there is a great hunt and the special deer runs to Giles for protection from the hunters. Giles assures the animal that he will have to die first before they kill her. The hunters find the two and shoot an arrow at the deer. Giles shoots his arm out and takes the arrow hit instead. The King who is present sees this sight and calls everything off. Then personally nurses Giles back to health at the end of the story.
Story Ideas taken from: Saints & Animals Section, Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts by Abbie Farwell Brown. 

(Caption: stag in the forest by Flickr)