Define Universal

             It wasn’t possible to know what the deer was thinking.  All I knew was that we were suddenly face to face, close enough that each of us was more than a little scared and neither of us dared to move.

It might have helped a little if I had some clue what his life experience had been up to this point.  Was he aware of hunters?  Did he know about car and deer accidents?  Was I his first-ever encounter with a human?  What had his parents or friends told him about us?

It was cold enough that I could see his breath, and I’m sure he noticed mine.  I expect he also could smell my aftershave. I probably smelled different to him than anything he’s smelled before.

What would I be thinking if I suddenly came face to face with a space alien?  Fortunately, I wasn’t holding anything in my hands. I tried to smile but without showing my teeth.  That wasn’t a good thing in nature.  I knew that much.  Maybe I should take a slow step backwards, but before I did I wanted to glance behind me.  I certainly didn’t want to trip over anything and fall.  That would startle him and most likely he’d start pounding me with his hooves.

        My big disadvantage was that the deer didn’t have varying facial expressions.  I had nothing to go on.  So far, we were both just standing there, facing each other.   Who was going to blink first?  I’ve heard it said that a smile is the universal language.  Good luck with that, I say

        Finally a distant twig snap got the attention of both of us.  As I looked to make sure it wasn't some large buck coming to the deer's rescue, he took that opportunity to bolt away.  We'd each have a story to tell later.