Hunters in the Snow, written by Tobias Wolff, is a short story that follows the lives of three friends as they go on a hunting trip in the snowy wilderness. The story begins with the three friends, Tub, Frank, and Kenny, setting out on their hunting trip. They are excited to spend the day in the woods, but as the day progresses, tensions begin to rise between the friends.
Tub is the leader of the group and is the most experienced hunter. He is also the most ambitious, constantly pushing the others to keep moving and to keep searching for their prey. Frank is the second-in-command, but he is more laid back and easy-going than Tub. He is content to take a break and enjoy the scenery, while Tub is always eager to keep moving. Kenny is the youngest and least experienced of the group, and he is often overshadowed by the other two.
As the day wears on, the tensions between the friends begin to boil over. Tub becomes increasingly irritable and critical of the others, and Frank becomes resentful of Tub's bossiness. The group also becomes lost in the snowy wilderness, adding to their stress and frustration. Eventually, they come across a cabin in the woods and decide to take shelter there for the night.
The next morning, they wake up to find that their hunting dog has gone missing. Tub becomes furious and begins to blame Frank and Kenny for the dog's disappearance. The situation deteriorates further when they discover that the dog has been shot and killed by a hunter. Tub is devastated and takes out his anger on the others, accusing them of being responsible for the dog's death.
In the end, the three friends are left to deal with the aftermath of their hunting trip and the strained relationships between them. Hunters in the Snow is a powerful tale of friendship and the delicate balance that exists between people. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of understanding and compassion in our relationships with others.
