The Standoff

A mature buck freezes at the edge of a clearing, locked eyes with the last animal he expected to meet: a skunk with its tail raised and ready. Neither one is backing down. The buck has got a hundred pounds on the skunk, but they both know how this ends if he pushes it. It is one of those quiet moments in the woods where size does not matter — just nerve. The smart money says the buck blinks first. Pick your size. Canvas, ready to hang.