It was 4 am when we started the car and collected all our things into the trunk. The dawn was only at its beginning, so we couldn’t see anything at a distance of 10 meters. Not only because of the twilight but also due to the dense fog embracing all of the mountains of the Polish Beshchady ridge. Lights on and here we go.

Every turn on the serpentine road exited and brought the awe of the countryside hidden in the big soft blanket. The flock of small early birds suddenly appeared in front of the windshield and managed to get away from our path. I woke up in a moment. “Good morning” showed up to all three women in the car, according to the sharp breath sound from all other seats. The only luck was I am really concentrated when I am driving. Always. But that fact might not have helped at the next turn of the road.

Something big appeared now in front of the windshield as if it was a cinema screen. Brown fur took all of my field of view and nothing could help but the blind reaction. My hands turned the wheel with no doubt. It was an immediate instinct to save the animal, everybody in the car, and my own karma. Breaks whistle. Wheels screech. Nobody didn’t even have time to get frightened.

Roe deer is not a surprise in this region. They walk along the railways, have lunch on the roadsides, and jump out from the bushes somewhere on the mountain hills. Their white spot on the tail is frequently seen among the forest thicket. And that one gives you a sign of the vibrant wildlife in this area. The brightest memories are about the kids of the deer right on the footpath peacefully consuming ivy leaves.

But today I have a new memory. When the meeting had passed I remember my hands started shaking and everybody was silent for a few seconds. The awareness of what just happened came in a minute. Altogether we felt as if it was our second birthday including dummy deer dived back into the fog.

We caught the train going through the mountains of Poland. And all way long I was thinking about the big fur cloud on the windshield. Only then I realized that every year 1.5 million roe deers, excited about hunting or mating, meet someone on the road for the last time. And I wish everyone to meet them only on the footpath peacefully consuming the leaves.