Falling

It all started with a leap of faith. literally. I was being chased by my older brother who had just found out that I had sold his favorite goat. My family was not the wealthiest in the village so I did what I had to do to pay for groceries and repairs on the roof. But that’s not what this is about. Back to me. Oh yes, the leap of faith. I was coming up on the stream that separated the village from the forest. It was about five feet wide and the current was far too strong for me to run through it. It was now or never. I hiked my dress up and with all of my might I jumped across the stream, stumbling the second my feet hit the ground on the other side. I picked myself back up and continued running into the forest. I knew he was no longer chasing me but my adrenaline kept my going. Finally, I reached a large willow tree that created enough shade to hide myself from the sun and from my guilt for selling the goat. I truly felt horrible for doing so but what else was I supposed to do?

After resting for a few moments I noticed something odd. Far off I heard something. A mix between roaring water and...a voice. I stood up shakily, my legs tired from running, and started to follow the noise. With each step that I took it became louder and louder. I looked around a tall tree and saw a beautiful creature. She had feathers protruding from her head like a crown and her eyes held the universe. Light fur covered most of her body and if my eyes were seeing correctly she had a fluffy tail like that of a doe. She was singing and swirling around her skirt completely unaware of my presence. Or so I thought. 

“Hello,” she cooed, startling me. She turned to face me, moving as if she was floating. “I’ve been waiting for you.” 

“I’m sorry who and what are you?” I questioned, coming off a little more rude than I had intended.  

“That doesn't matter,” she took a step towards me. “What matters is that I found you.” 

“I’m pretty sure I'm the one that discovered you.” I spoke fighting the urge to take a step back. 

“Nonsense.” she moved back to the tree almost appearing to be floating. She sat down under the tree and pulled a mushroom out of the ground.

“Mushroom?” she offered me.

“N-no thanks.” I stuttered as confusion continued to well up in me. “You never answered my question. Who are you?” 

“I am your guide. Here to lead you to where you must go.” she plopped the mushroom in her mouth and began to chew.

“I don’t need to go anywhere,” I started, “I was just simply running from my brother. He got upset with me and started chasing me, threatening to cut all of my hair off. I just needed to run away for a while so he could cool off and not be so angry with me.” 

“What would you say is your biggest problem at the moment?” the creature asked me as if completely ignoring everything I had just told her.

“Well I just told you, my brother-” 

“No, it is something else.” she interrupted.

I thought for a moment wondering what she was talking about. I couldn’t think of any other problems I had. Sure my family wasn’t rich and,  sure I wasn't the happiest person in the world, but my life could be a lot worse than it is already. 

“Ah, you don’t know what your problem is.” she nodded as she noticed I was thinking for a little too long. 

“I don’t have a problem, other than talking to you right now, thank you very much. Now if you will excuse me I need to get back to my distraught brother.” I retorted back at her. Who does she think she is talking to me like that? Telling me that I have a problem when I haven't known her for ten minutes. I turn away from her and begin walking back towards my village. 

“You don’t belong.” the creature called out with a gentleness that I have never heard before.  

I stop walking and slowly turn to face her. When I looked at her I felt as though I was seeing her for the first time. Her face was gentle and my heart was suddenly filled to the brim with a feeling of comfort and hope. I feel tears begin to leak from my eyes and as much as I am comforted by her sight I'm also confused by the sudden emotions. Her expression appears as if she knows exactly what I'm feeling.

“Why am I feeling this way?” I ask, feeling tears begin to descend down my face

“Your heart is beginning to realize that it is true. That you don’t belong.” she walked towards me and kindly wiped the tears from my face.  Her small frame and childlike features make her seem so young but her spirit radiates that of a loving mother. 

“Come walk with me and I will show you where you truly belong.” she speaks now beginning to walk away from me.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked, falling into step with her.

“You will find out.” she answered me.

We walk for a few miles when I realize that I have no idea where we are. We are still in the forest but the trees look different. Some are normal looking, but others have blue or purple leaves and the bark is so smooth it would be impossible to get a splinter. White, glowing mushrooms sprinkle the ground and the sun rays that shone through the trees are so golden that I almost couldn't see through them. 

“We are almost here.” the creature breathed without looking at me. 

The sound of water flowing began to fill my ears. It sounded as though we were heading towards a waterfall. We finally found ourselves at the edge of a cliff. The cliff wasn't like anything I had seen before. We were at the top of the waterfall only we weren’t standing in water. The water was shooting out of the earth itself. Below was a deep chasm filled with mist making it impossible to see the bottom. 

“What is this place?” I asked in disbelief.

“This is our destination.” my companion spoke.

“So, I belong by the waterfall?” I asked, confused.

“No, silly, you belong at the bottom of it.” she answered.

“What? Well how am I supposed to get there? There's no way down there without jumping and that would kill me!” I exclaim in frustration. We walked all of this way and she wants me to somehow get to the bottom of this waterfall.

I looked at her serious expression and realized, “wait a minute. I actually am supposed to jump.”

She simply nods and says “you have to take a leap of faith.” 

“How do you know I won’t die?” I question stepping away from the waterfall.”    

“Do you trust me?” she tilts her head.

“How could I trust you? I just met you today.”  

“You must decide,” she starts, “jump and discover a world unlike any other. The world where I am from. Or you can turn back and go to your family, who probably hasn't noticed that you are still not home.”

That last sentence stung more than I thought it would. She was probably right. My family probably hasn't noticed. My mother and father are more than likely too busy trying to figure out how we are going to pay for a new roof and my brother is probably trying to buy back his goat. My heart felt heavy and I didn't know what to do. Trust a stranger, or go back to my old life.

I thought for a moment. “Take a leap of faith.” I repeated to myself. 

Turning towards the mysterious waterfall I glanced at the creature. She was staring at the horizon with a serene look on her face. Mustering up all of the courage I had in me, I jumped. 

The mist sprinkled my face and I saw the most beautiful rainbow. Tears filled my eyes and a feeling of complete understanding washed over me. I was at peace.