Stories from Bad Kleinkirchheim

Author: Markus Patscheider

Normally wild animals are pretty shy. But not Cindy the doe, who is magically drawn to all the activity on the slopes of Bad Kleinkirchheim.

Once upon a time, long, long ago … I’d like to start my story with these selfsame words that have begun many a fairy tale. But this fairy tale isn’t from the famous Brothers Grimm, but instead is a real story which happened several years ago in Bad Kleinkirchheim.

Back to the story …  Once upon a time, long, long ago there was a little doe named Cindy who lived in the woods of Bad Kleinkirchheim. One year in winter the grasses that normally nourished her were buried under a deep bed of snow. Driven by hunger and cold, Cindy wandered through the thicket, looking for food and shelter. During her desperate search, Cindy stumbled upon very strange creatures in a non-wooded area - humans with wooden boards under their feet, sliding down the mountain. The difficulties of the past few days were quickly replaced by the curiosity; she wanted to get a closer look at the happenings. In amazement Cindy saw that suddenly she herself had become the center of attention, as a large group of humans collected around her.  The skiers pushed forward, eager to offer her the best treats and to stroke her shiny fur. From that day on, Cindy returned daily to that wonderful spot to be pampered by the humans.

Although I’d like to say that the story had a happy ending, I’m going to have to disappoint you. Reality has instead an exciting end in store. The following happened… After winter was over Cindy had become used to spending time with humans and had begun to follow them into the valley below. With some amazement, the inhabitants of Bad Kleinkirchheim watched the doe. Unfortunately though, forest dwellers don’t have much knowledge of streets and traffic rules and there was apprehension that she could be injured when crossing the street. Because of this, Cindy was brought to a farmer in the area, who took care of her needs for the rest of her life. This is the end of the story about Cindy the doe, who had gotten a bit too used to contact to humans on the slopes of Bad Kleinkirchheim. There is even a replica of her head on the wall of the ski lodge Waldtratte in her honor. And so even today when lots of people come into the lodge, every once in a while Cindy comes back to life, if even for a short time.Once upon a time, long, long ago … I’d like to start my story with these selfsame words that have begun many a fairy tale. But this fairy tale isn’t from the famous Brothers Grimm, but instead is a real story which happened several years ago in Bad Kleinkirchheim.

Once upon a time, long, long ago … I’d like to start my story with these selfsame words that have begun many a fairy tale. But this fairy tale isn’t from the famous Brothers Grimm, but instead is a real story which happened several years ago in Bad Kleinkirchheim.

Back to the story … Once upon a time, long, long ago there was a little doe named Cindy who lived in the woods of Bad Kleinkirchheim. One year in winter the grasses that normally nourished her were buried under a deep bed of snow. Driven by hunger and cold, Cindy wandered through the thicket, looking for food and shelter. During her desperate search, Cindy stumbled upon very strange creatures in a non-wooded area - humans with wooden boards under their feet, sliding down the mountain. The difficulties of the past few days were quickly replaced by the curiosity; she wanted to get a closer look at the happenings. In amazement Cindy saw that suddenly she herself had become the center of attention, as a large group of humans collected around her. The skiers pushed forward, eager to offer her the best treats and to stroke her shiny fur. From that day on, Cindy returned daily to that wonderful spot to be pampered by the humans.

Although I’d like to say that the story had a happy ending, I’m going to have to disappoint you. Reality has instead an exciting end in store. The following happened… After winter was over Cindy had become used to spending time with humans and had begun to follow them into the valley below. With some amazement, the inhabitants of Bad Kleinkirchheim watched the doe. Unfortunately though, forest dwellers don’t have much knowledge of streets and traffic rules and there was apprehension that she could be injured when crossing the street. Because of this, Cindy was brought to a farmer in the area, who took care of her needs for the rest of her life. This is the end of the story about Cindy the doe, who had gotten a bit too used to contact to humans on the slopes of Bad Kleinkirchheim. There is even a replica of her head on the wall of the ski lodge Waldtratte in her honor.

And so even today when lots of people come into the lodge, every once in a while Cindy comes back to life, if even for a short time.

Image and text courtesy of Markus Patscheider for the editorial team of the website www.badkleinkirchheim.at