Springtime Magic

"Louisa!"

"Sorry Mother."

Fifteen-year-old Louisa sat by the window, pins and needles in her lap. She turned, finding her mother sitting in the chair opposite of her, glaring at her, over her pointed nose.

"I don't understand why you still amuse yourself with daydreams and fantasies,' her mother grumbled.

"Oh Mother," Louisa cried. "If you only believe, then will you able to hear the trees sing and the wind dance. Sometimes even the woodland creatures will crawl out and tell the most wonderful tells."

"I see there is no use getting through to you today," her mother sighed. "Go and enjoy the sun."

Louisa bounded out of her chair, pins and needles falling. She hurried over, placed a kiss upon her mother's cheek, and raced out of the house, into the warm sunlight. Behind her stood the forest, whispering her name. Louisa picked up her skirts and raced into the forest.

Springtime was upon them, flowers blooming, leaves sprouting, sunlight beaming. The color green was being painted as far as the eye could see. In the distance, a river could be heard, singing quietly.

"Louisa," the trees sang.

"Good morning trees," Louisa answered.

Heads began to poke out from the tree branches, and out of the bushes. In minutes, Louisa was surrounded by woodland creatures, big and small.

"Why hello everyone," Louisa laughed.

"We are glad you came today," Mrs. Squirrel said. "The children were just begging to come and see you."

With that two, tiny heads appeared from behind Mrs. Squirrel. They scampered onto Louisa's shoulders, seating them comfortably.

"Come play with us," some mice said.

So the morning pass, with Louisa climbing the trees with the squirrels, and dancing on the ground with the rabbits and mice. There was much singing for the woodland creatures love to sing and dance.

Is that what you call dancing Earl the owl cried as he fluttered onto a branch. This is what I call dancing."

He began a series of kicks and twirls, making heads turn with him. At last he was finished and the crowd applauded his skills. Some more birds joined the dancing, dancing as if they were fine ladies and gentlemen.

The deer slowly appeared along with the grizzly bears who were just awakening from their slumber.

Louisa had a joyful time, clapping with the rabbits and singing with the deer. She twirled around with the squirrels hopped with the the bears.

When the sun was high in the sky, Louisa and the woodland creatures made their way down to the river.

The river was bubbling, speaking in a language that Louisa had yet to learn. However, despite not understanding one another, Louisa and the river had been made friends. The river was blue today lapping at Louisa's feet, splashing onto the rocks. Fish within the river swam by, mumbling to one another.

"Bubba," Louisa cried, as she saw Bubba, the grizzly bear grabbing a fish.

"I need to eat," Bubba grumbled. "I am hungry."

"Well, just do it quickly," Louisa commanded. "I don't want to see any fish guts."

Bubba nodded but hid his wicked smile. He took the fish, batting it at Louisa. It hit her full in the face, sliding down, dropping at her feet. Bubba fell onto the riverbed, howling with laugher as Louisa let out a shriek.

"Bubba," Louisa shouted, "How dare you!"

"Sorry princess," Bubba laughed.

Louisa turned around and found that the other animals were laughing, wiping tears from their eyes. She could even hear the river laughing behind her. She scowled, rolling her eyes. Taking a deep breath, Louisa bent down and grabbed the fish. She tossed it at Bubba, but the grizzly bear caught it in his teeth, chomping down hard.

"I will get you next time," Louisa commented.

"I will be ready princess," Bubba grinned.

"What is my mother going to say," Louisa laughed, looking down at her dress. "I am a complete mess."

"Say, you fell into the river," Mrs. Squirrel answered, hopping over.

"Alright, I think you she will believe that," Louisa said, wiping her dress.

At last the day was coming to end, the sun climbing downward. Soon it was time for Louisa to head back home.

"Oh how I wish I could stay here, dancing and singing forever," Louisa sighed.

"Every daydream must come to an end," Alice the deer said.

"This isn't a daydream," Louisa cried.

"No, but it is time to wake up," Alice the deer pressed. Your mother will be worrying about you."

"My mother will only mock me," Louisa sighed, once more.

"Do not give up on hope," Alice the deer replied. "Every heart must have its winters."

"Alright," Louisa said.

"Now shall we see you tomorrow?" Alice the deer asked.

"Yes, I hope so," Louisa answered.

Louisa said her goodbyes, turned and began walking back towards home. As she was walking home, she felt the woodland creatures behind her.

She came to her house, her mother standing in the doorway, a scowl playing on her lips.

"Hello Mother," Louisa said.

"You have been out all day," her mother cried.

"I wasn't alone," Louisa pointed out. "I was with the woodland creatures."

"When will you stop daydreaming," her mother sighed, pushing her inside the door.

"Oh Mother, I am not daydreaming," Louisa sighed. "Don't you hear the song they are singing."

As she was standing in the doorway, she heard the song of the woodland creatures, singing softly after her.

Her mother went to the window, listening quietly. She came back and nodded her head no.

"We will just have a goodnight rest and tomorrow will be a new day," her mother said, but more to herself then Louisa.

When Louisa was in bed later, she listened to her mother closed her own door, before stepping out of bed. She hurried to the window in her room, opening it quietly. She leaned out, letting the Spring wind dance into her room. She could still hear the woodland creature's song, her heart filling with joy and happiness. Oh what a world to be in, with the woodland creatures singing after her. Louisa padded over to her bed, slipping underneath the covers, and falling asleep the to the song of the woodland creatures.

Goodbye, goodbye

Continue to dream on high

Through springtime and evermore

We will be with thee, forevermore