Why, Leo?

The snow-covered forest was simply silent. No rustling of small animals in the underbrush, no birds tweeting, cawing, or whatever they're doing. No distant human-made sounds, no aeroplanes overhead, no automotive engine hum. There was no wind in the trees either, not even a lone creak of an old tree trunk.

I stood still, holding my breath, savouring this little bit of magical perfection. A moment of quiet respite from the world that has always seemed too loud.

A quiet, liquid sound broke the magic of the moment. The dog looked at me guiltily as he 'marked' a nearby tree.