The Enchanted Forest Adventure

    By Christine Joy G.

    The Enchanted Forest Adventure cover image

    15 Apr, 2023

    Once upon a time in Spirit River, Canada, there was a rich and vibrant forest where tall trees rustled their branches at every gust of wind, and the air was fragrant with the aroma of pine and wildflowers. It was a magical place where leaves changed colors and danced to the rhythm of the breeze. Animals roamed about, small and large, and the creatures who lived there were playful, mischievous, and untainted by the world's ills.

    Deep inside the forest nestled a habitat of the forest's beloved Princess, who ruled over the beasts and reptiles with grace and beauty, over the years, she'd earned their trust and respect, and they all looked up to her. Near the fringes of the forest, on the edge of the clearing lived six-year-old Deborah Faith. She was an ardent explorer who was delightfully curious about the wonders of nature. She would scamper about, collecting shiny rocks and pretty flowers, watching the critters, listening to birds chirp, and observing the natural world.

    Deborah was very fond of the smaller-sized creatures, especially the ones that hopped and roamed about for lunch. She would bring carrot and nut-filled snacks for them, and over time they'd become her friends, sharing stories and laughs in the wilderness that surrounded her cabin. They would come to visit her every day, and the squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks soon started to be a natural part of her daily routine.

    One day, as Deborah meandered through the dense forest, she noticed something different. She stumbled across a clearing that hadn't been there before. In the heart of the glade, she saw the Princess of the Forest sitting on a bed of flowers, sobbing. It was an unusual sight, and Deborah's heart ached to see the serene Princess distressed.

    Gently she asked, "What's the matter, Princess?"

    The Princess lifted her head and dried her eyes. Then, she explained how a band of evil forces was wreaking havoc through the lush and verdant woodland. They were causing harm to the flora, and the animals who called the forest their home were gravely threatened. Unable to tackle the menace on their own, the Princess had come to the edge of the forest to search for help from any creature with bravery and cunning.

    Deborah felt a surge of fear at the thought of the forest in shambles. But her brave heart and adventurous spirit soon won out, and she stepped forward with confidence, declaring that she would help the Princess save the forest.

    The Princess was pleased with her answer, and she granted Deborah the gift of vision. It was a vision of the enchanted forest in all its glory that Deborah would carry in her heart always. The vision, she felt, would help her see the beauty of the forest at all times, even during the darkest of times.

    Deborah, with all the courage she could muster, set out to save the forest. She enlisted the help of her animal friends, with the chipmunks leading the way. They initially travelled without incident, but soon they came across a murky stream that was home to several seemingly friendly fish who tried to stop them in their tracks. Deborah was perplexed as to what she should do next to get past these unusual obstacles.

    She thought for a while before remembering something. She remembered seeing the birds and the butterflies in the woods flying over the water without getting wet, they were light and didn't weigh the same as the chipmunks or rabbits. Deborah then asked her animal friends to help gather twigs and leaves to create a bridge that she hoped would hold their weight. The aim was to cross the murky stream without disturbing the fish, and it worked! They crossed over safely and hid their makeshift bridge away to avoid detection by any possible enemies.

    As they continued their journey, they came across a peculiar tree that seemed to be alive. It creaked and groaned whenever they stood too close to it. Upon closer inspection, Deborah realized that the tree was not a tree at all, but a giant caterpillar, the size of the largest tree in the forest! It was wriggling about in distress, muttering to itself about the gnomes.

    Deborah's bravery didn't waver, and with a gentle touch of persuasion, she spoke to the giant caterpillar, reassuring it that she was there to help. With a lot of effort, they managed to calm the caterpillar down, and it revealed where the gnomes were hiding, what they were doing to the forest, and why they were attacking all living things in the forest. The gnomes believed the forest belonged to them and sought to claim it by destruction and force.

    Deborah knew that they had to act fast before the gnomes did much worse damage. They headed deeper into the forest, following the giant caterpillar's directions, and soon spotted the gnomes. The gnomes had been bulldozing over the trees, squishing and killing the flowers, and disturbing the once-peaceful environment. They were ruthless and loud.

    Deborah knew that she had to create a plan that would help defeat the gnomes without hurting them; she believed that there might be some kindness deep within them. She realized that in the gnomes' story, they believed the forest was rightfully theirs, so she decided to show them the magic of the forest, and what living in peace with nature could mean. She called together all the animals of the forest to march to the gnomes as one, with every animal playing its unique instrument in unison. As they approached the gnomes, the sound of music began to surround them. The gnomes, who had paused in surprise and bewilderment, began to feel the strength of the music; soon, their hearts of stone began to soften.

    The animals of the forest took this chance to explain the story of the land's creation and how all living things have a right to exist and thrive there. Deborah spoke of her vision of the enchanted forest, and how each creature was a vital piece of the whole puzzle. With the gentle persuasion of the animals, the gnomes began to see the importance of their actions, and they realized how much devastation they had caused.

    They paused to take a look around, and for the first time in a long time, they genuinely saw the enchanting beauty of the forest, the way everything coexisted effortlessly, each creature necessitating the other. It was an epiphany for all of them.

    Together they made a pact. They all decided to live in harmony with each other, with the forest, and to forever steward and protect its mysteries. The animals of the woodland, along with the gnomes, returned to their home just like Deborah. When she got there, Deborah's parents were filled with pride and amazement. Deborah knew she'd accomplished something amazing, something she'd carry in her heart always.

    The Enchanted Forest Adventure