The old lady led Lily deeper and deeper into the woods, past
the established ways, into the domain of wild, ancient woods, and whispering
woods. The temperature fell; the aromatic strength of pine felt and it became
more pronounced; lights glowed, then deepened; and the forest donned a more
emerald and gold color scheme. Quite astonishingly, the embrown trees looked
tame, as if they were watching themselves with drooping branches, resembling
arthritic fingers from which something oozed outwards.
As they walked, the elderly woman spoke of a great country
that lay beyond the trees, a country where dreams are true and where anything
could be possible. She whispered, and her voice, which was like the falling
leaves, illustrated beautiful pictures in Lily's mind.
"Imagine a place where the trees whisper secrets, and
the rivers flow with liquid gold," said the old woman, her eyes glinting
with a knowing light. "A place where your wildest dreams can take flight.
A place where you are finally free to be yourself, Lily."
Lily listened intently as her heart began to pound with
anticipation. Ever since she had moved to Willow Creek, she felt weird, and now
she is called to a place where she "might just become who she really
is" and where her "soul can really take aim and go high and
far."
Just as it had done at the edge of the forest, a sunbeam
intercepted the sun-drenched undergrowth and cut through treetops in a line of
glittering prisms. It happened in an instant, was revealed before their eyes as
an arc of good wishes, beckoning them toward the chasm of the morrow. The crone
turned to Lily and smiled sorrowfully.
"This is where our ways have to part, my dear. The road
in front of you belongs only to you, but let you be sure in it: I am always,
always watching out for you." As the depth and sorrow of an eternal well
with a shade of longing vibrated in her speech, the "good-bye" seemed
as the "hello there" of her.
She handed Lily a small, intricately carved wooden
box."This will help you on your journey," she said."Open it when
you need guidance." The box felt warm and comforting in Lily's hand, as if
it held a piece of the old woman's wisdom and protection.
Still smiling, the elderly woman disappeared into the woods
and Lily stood outside the doorway of another world, clutching the box. The
world pulsed to the rhythm of the unknowable, the atmosphere throbbed with the
thrill of the hunt for a new sensation.
She recognised the woods and remembered in it what lay
waiting for her, further along the road, yet still a distance. With rumination
thoughts churning in the mind, Lily drew a breath and stepped out onto the
street at the beginning of life's ventures into the unknown. Unknowingly, Lily,
spellbound and scared, took the leap.