Lessons in Alaska Wildlife Biology

     "Lessons in Alaska Wildlife Biology"

    Sometimes in the fifth grade you have to speak in front of the whole class.  It was Todd Coulter’s turn.   “ I’m doing my speech on the Alaska Timber Wuff.  The Timber Wuff is widespread through out Alaska.  Hunting in packs, the Wuffs rely on each other to….”
     There it was again.  Is he saying Wuff, as in Big Bad Wuff?  I discretely looked around to see if any of my classmates were catching this gross mispronunciation.  With each successive Wuff of the speech, the conjured image of the cartoonish Little Red Riding Hood wolf came to life in my head.  The elongated snout, The sinister grin, the works.

Canis Lupis Arcticus?

     I cupped my hand and sent a whisper towards Cameron sitting next to me. " Is he really saying Wuff?"  We got the giggles as Todd went on to explain all about the Wuff as he understood it from his extensive research in the Encyclopedia Brittanica collection in the Homestead Elementary school's library.  After the obligitory applause faded concluding Todd’s comprehensive presentation ( Forty or so Wuffs later),  Mr. Rohlman announced “Okay, Steve your next”.  I took my notes with me up to the front of the class and cleared my throat. “ Today I will be speaking about the Kodiak Grizzly Barrr”.