The Wild Robot, #1
The Wild Robot
by Peter Brown
Contents
CHAPTER 23: THE WOUNDED FOX
Overview
Roz helps Fink the fox after he is wounded while trying to prey on a porcupine. By calmly removing the quills from Fink’s face and paws, Roz proves useful and compassionate to an animal who has reason to fear or distrust her.
The encounter shifts Roz’s place on the island slightly: instead of being only a frightening outsider, Roz becomes someone an animal depends on in a moment of need.
Summary
Fink the fox lies on a log, howling in pain, when Roz appears. His face and paws are full of porcupine quills after he tried to attack a porcupine for food and was injured in return.
Roz questions why Fink attacked, and Fink explains that hunger drove him. Roz points out that the attack caused his suffering, but Fink insists that a fox must eat and begs for help because he cannot walk and fears he might die.
Fink asks Roz to pull out the quills. Roz first breaks one by pulling incorrectly, but Fink instructs her to pinch closer to the skin, and Roz adjusts her method.
Roz removes each quill quickly while Fink lies still in pain. Once every quill has been placed in a neat pile, Fink gets up, thanks Roz, admits that he owes her, and limps away.
Who Appears
- RozRobot who calmly helps Fink by learning how to remove porcupine quills.
- FinkWounded fox injured while attacking a porcupine; accepts Roz’s help and thanks her.