Leela and the Forest of Light

by Lin Northrup

  “Why were those people so mean to you? I want to go back and punch that stupid store manager in the nose!”

  Sky Bear looked at her with amusement. “Were those the high thoughts the Tree Nation whispered to you?”

  “Well, not exactly,” she said, snapping a stick in half.

  She watched him stoke the fire. His calm motions were in sharp contrast to the turbulent feelings churning inside her. Throwing down the stick she stood up and paced around the fire.

  “But it’s not fair. They weren’t respecting you. It was an accident when those jars fell.”

  He put more logs on the fire and looked at her. She stopped pacing and pointed her finger at him.

  “You knocked that display over on purpose. Why? And why did you act so, so…”

  “Helpless and confused?” he replied, putting on another log.

  “You’re a shapeshifter and they thought you were stupid and didn’t belong in their fancy store. It makes me mad,” she shouted, ready to defend Sky Bear.

  “Listen, Leela, I wanted you to see and feel how people can become false when they are blinded by their prejudices. You saw how quickly their energy changed when they judged me as an outsider who didn’t belong in their world.”

  “Yes, I saw it. It made me sick to my stomach. The store manager’s heart was dark and the air crackled when they laughed at you. Everything felt heavy and jagged. I couldn’t breathe”

  Her fears tumbled out as Sky Bear nodded in agreement. “I know, Leela. Even though the manager talked in a polite tone of voice, you saw his anger. You saw the fear he was really feeling inside. You have to pay attention to what you feel and sense around people. That way you learn to trust your instincts and not be fooled by false words.”

  “But when I see someone being mean, I want to do something.”

  “Ah yes, but can you forgive the manager and the lady?” he asked.

  “No! They were wrong. They were disrespecting you.”

  “They were afraid, Leela. People can be afraid of someone who looks different. Our path teaches us to respect each person’s sacred space and sacred point of view. When we respect each other, no one has to force another person to be like them. No one has to put on a false face and be something they’re not. Fear separates people. Love joins them.

  She picked up a small log, put it on the fire and sat next to him for a long time thinking about his words.

  “Keep practicing your ability to see and feel energy. It’s one of the skills you’ll need to shapeshift time and space.”

  She flushed under the intense look he gave her. Being with him made her feel safe like she used to feel with her father.

  “It’s time for me to leave, but we’ll meet again. Your journey will have many turns before you become who you’re meant to be. You carry a light that’s needed in this world. Stay true to your heart and life will embrace you. Honor life and it will honor you.”

  She turned away to hide the tears welling up in her eyes. When she looked back, Sky Bear was gone. A black crow was perched on the branch above her.

  Chapter 8

  Keeping a Clear Vision

  The crow cawed and flew away. Convinced it was Sky Bear, she chased after him. But as the cawing became a distant echo, she gave up and climbed onto a large rock, listening to her stomach growl from hunger. Just as she was asking the Stone People to help her find food, she felt a warm nose against her cheek.

  “Fox!” she shouted, wrapping her arms around his neck as they tumbled off the rock into the scrub grass.

  “Don’t think you can lose me Leela. I’m your guardian while you’re in this forest.”

  “Some guardian you are. Every time I turn around you’re gone just like every other creature I meet.”

  Fox jumped off Leela. “You’ve never been alone for long. Even the trees are watching over you. Can’t you feel them, or have you forgotten how to listen? You have many allies here.”

  “Fox, tell me about the new earth. Why do we need a new earth? What’s wrong with the one we have? It’s beautiful.”

  “It is beautiful. But the Earth Mother wants us to help her create a new earth so we can all live together peacefully like we are meant to.”

  She heard the urgency in Fox’s voice and sat down next to him. “Can we really make this happen?”

  “Yes. When things get out of balance, the children of earth and sky come forward to help the planet. You’re a child of the new earth, Leela.”

  “Where are the other children of the new earth? When will I meet them?”

  He rubbed against her. “You’ll know more soon,” he said, avoiding her question. “But now let’s go find you some food.”

  As usual he was so fast, she lost sight of him. When she stopped to listen and pick up his scent, she had the feeling she was being watched. A dark shadow hovering behind the trees moved toward her. She froze. It didn’t have the scent of one of her allies.

  “Fox, wait for me,” she called, running as if she were being chased. He was waiting for her by a stream that ran along the edge of the meadow. They both drank the cool water.

  “Stay here and rest. I’ll be back,” Fox called, as he darted off.

  Leela took off her socks and sneakers and splashed her feet in the water. Her quiet daydreams were interrupted when a bumblebee landed on her forehead. She sat very still hoping the bee would fly away, but its buzzing grew louder. It felt like the little creature was drilling into her forehead. Leela pictured the bee in a hardhat and boots holding a power drill. Despite the strange sensation in her head, she burst out laughing.

  “Sit still, Leela,” said Bee. “I’m checking out your brain.”

  “Checking out my brain?” She tilted her head up trying to see the bee.

  “That’s what I said,” answered Bee as if it were obvious.

  “Why?” she whispered, trying not to startle the bee into stinging her.

  “I’m not going to sting you. I’m on assignment. I have a lot to do. So many flowers and so little time, that’s the problem.”

  “But Bee, I’m not a flower. I’m afraid you’ve landed on the wrong spot.”

  Bee flew in circles around Leela’s head counting to the number seven. “No, Leela that’s where you’re wrong. You’re like a flower ready to blossom and it’s my job to help you. You do know what I do, don’t you?” asked Bee.

  “Well, of course. You pollinate the flowers and plants.”

  “Why?” persisted Bee.

  “So they can blossom and grow. Everyone knows that.”

  Bee landed back on her forehead. “Because of us the earth is covered with glorious color and sweetness. But our job is getting harder and harder unless someone can help us. And that someone is you, which is why I’m checking out your brain.”

  “Is there something wrong with my brain? Your buzzing is getting very loud.”

  “Give me one more minute,” said Bee, who continued to send tingly sensations into her forehead. “No, you’re just where you need to be. Congratulations and keep up the good work.”

  “Bee, come back here,” called Leela. “I want to ask you about my brain.”

  She was almost getting used to the way her animal friends talked in riddles around her, but she wished they would stop dropping clues and just tell her what she needed to know.

  Fox arrived with wild blueberries dripping from his mouth. “I heard Bee examining you. Right on schedule. Umm, I was trying to bring you some berries, but I think it’s better if you pick them yourself.”

  Leela gave him a hug and followed him to the berry patch in the middle of the meadow.

  “Tell me what Bee meant about checking my brain,” she asked, stuffing her mouth with the plump berries.

  Fox stretched out lazily in the warm sun. “You’re changing Leela. You’re becoming aware of the parts of crea
tion that most people don’t know exist. When you become more aware, you use more of your power. Bee was just seeing if your brain was wired properly. In our estimation, you’re right on track. Your heart is absorbing the teachings of our path. And your brain is humming right along.”

  Leela stroked his smooth belly thinking about her new life. If everyone could live this way, how happy they’d be. She curled up next to Fox as the afternoon sun wrapped its warm rays around them.

  While she was dozing, she heard Eagle calling to her.

  “Come with me, Leela. I have something you must see. Go into your quiet space and use your dreaming body.”

  “Eagle, could you tell me more about how this works?”

  “Concentrate. And know you can use your powers to do this.”

  Leela concentrated and hoped Eagle was right as she shot up to a branch near the top of a white pine tree. When she looked down, she saw her body lying next to Fox. This was the same thing that happened in the cave of Bear. Which was the real her?

  Eagle perched next to her. Her eyes looked fierce, but her voice was kind. “Welcome to my realm, Leela.”

  “I don’t really understand how I can be in two places at once,” she said, trying to ignore the queasy feeling in her stomach.

  Eagle’s great wings opened. “You’re in your dreaming body. It’s an advanced skill, but you’ll get better at it. Come, fly with me.”

  Leela stood up on the branch and spread her arms wide hoping her dreaming body knew what to do. A strong current of air pushed her off the branch.

  “I’m not so sure about this Eagle,” she called out. “Is this real or am I just dreaming?”

  “The ancient ones say life is a dream within a dream. You can dream the world you want to live in. And you can use your dreaming body to explore it.”

  Eagle made it sound so easy, but it didn’t feel easy at all. The wind currents were lifting her up and dropping her down like she was a paper doll. When Eagle flew higher into the puffy white clouds, Leela tried not to panic.

  “Feel the currents and use them to carry you. Focus, and you’ll be in charge of your flight,” said Eagle.

  Leela concentrated as hard as she could until she could feel the play of the wind guiding her.

  “I think I’m getting it,” she called, but Eagle had flown high into the clouds.

  “I’m in my dreaming body. I can’t fall out of the sky because I’m in my dreaming body,” she kept repeating out loud so she could keep her focus.

  When she felt like she had a little more control, she looked down. The trees were tiny dots and the river was a slender thread winding through the forest. She tried to fly closer to land, but dropped down too fast.

  “Whoops. Help!” she called.

  Eagle was nowhere to be seen, but she could hear Eagle’s thoughts telling her how to level out. Before long she was floating above the treetops spellbound by her bird’s eye view of the forest.

  How beautiful everything looked. She flew over a field where deer were grazing. They all looked up to say hello. Gliding over the river, she saw otters sliding down a muddy bank.

  “Having fun, Leela?” shouted the otter family.

  Further down the river she saw a mother bear showing her cub how to catch fish. As she approached the bend in the river, Leela heard a screeching sound followed by a loud thud. The puffy white clouds flattened into cold, slate gray. Her carefree feeling left when she saw what made the harsh, growling noise. Trees were lying in broken, tangled heaps hacked apart by huge saws. She could hear their tears and feel their agony as they were ripped from the earth without any love or understanding of their place in creation. She lost her focus and started tumbling toward the mangled piles of trees.

  Eagle dove through the clouds and flew along her left side. Another eagle flanked her right side. They extended their wings under her chest to slow her fall.

  “No matter what you see, Leela, you must maintain your focus, or you won’t be able to complete your dream,” warned Eagle.

  Her attention snapped back. She recovered her control and drifted downward until she landed on the giant sycamore tree where she’d met Woodpecker and Squirrel.

  As the growling machines tore into it, tremors rippled through its massive trunk. She cried out holding onto her friend, desperate to keep the tree safe from the jaws of the metal monster.

  “No. Stop! Leave us alone,” she yelled.

  The sharp teeth of the saws sliced into the ancient tree where she’d spent her first night in the forest. And now they were killing it.

  “Stop! Don’t do this,” she screamed to the men below. Her voice was lost in the grinding sounds of the monster.

  “Tree, tell me what to do.”

  “My dear child, I’ve stood in this forest for hundreds of years watching over the creatures, giving them homes and breathing life into the air of this planet. But humans take too much from us. Tell them they must respect our sacred point of view before it’s too late.”

  The blades of the saws kept cutting into the heart of the tree. It felt as if they were cutting through her own heart. “I love you,” she cried, pressing her face against the tree’s body.

  “Leela, you must leave me. You have work to do. I feel your love, but you must go.”

  The great tree shuddered as the metal jaws sank deeper and deeper into its trunk.

  “Get out of the way! It’s comin down,” shouted the men.

  The sky turned black.

  Leela was catapulted from the tree circling helplessly above it. With a deep sigh, the ancient tree fell to the earth. The crash was heard throughout the forest.

  Then there was silence. Not a breeze stirred. The whole forest bowed in reverence for the passing of a wise and trusted friend.

  “This one’s been around for a long time. Almost seems a shame to bring it down,” said one of the loggers.

  “Don’t get all sentimental on me,” said the foreman. “It’s just another day’s job. Let’s get out of here. We’ll clean up this mess tomorrow.”

  The crew got into their truck and drove off leaving the giant tree lying amidst the wreckage of smaller trees that were crushed when it fell.

  The forest animals quietly gathered around the tree to pay their respects. Leela couldn’t bear joining them. Her heart was breaking.

  Overwhelmed with fear about the fate of the forest and its creatures, she flew away from the devastating scene. Weak from shock, she was startled to see that she had an escort. Canada geese flew in a V-shaped formation around her, so she could gain back her strength.

  “Leela, we feel your sadness and we’re here to help you,” they said.

  “I hate the people who killed the tree. They’re evil,” she cried.

  “You’re angry because you’re in pain. But anger won’t heal the earth. Compassion and understanding will.”

  “People just don’t care enough,” she sobbed.

  One of the geese flew so close its wings gently touched her face. “If children keep their heart connection to nature, they’ll grow into adults who love and respect the trees.”

  The Canada Geese shifted their positions to keep Leela within their protected space.

  “I know, but it’s not fair,” she said, still hurt and angry.

  “Change your anger into loving action. That’s the best way to honor the Tree Nation.”

  They guided Leela toward an open meadow and quietly formed a circle around her. She sat on the soft grass wiping her tear-streaked face with the sleeve of her sweater.

  “You must look beyond the destruction and ignorance of those who don’t understand, Leela. Don’t let yourself become discouraged. You and the other children will know how to create a better world”

  The flock gathered closer. “When we fly, we hold our formation to support each other. And each of us has a clear view of
where we’re going.”

  A few geese began honking and the others joined in announcing they were about to take off. Their wings opened up lifting them gracefully into the air.

  “Don’t forget, Leela, keep a clear vision.”

  “I’ll try,” she said, watching them until they became dots in the sky.

  There was no sign of Eagle or Fox. It was quiet except for bees buzzing over patches of wildflowers that dotted the field. Despite the ache in her heart, she felt inspired by the geese. Something had changed inside of her. She was a part of the forest and the forest was a part of her. It wasn’t a mysterious place – it was home.

  The evening shadows crept closer and a peaceful stillness settled over the forest. She headed toward an old oak tree and curled up against its gnarled trunk. Looking up through the wide branches, she whispered, “I love you.”

  “I love you too,” said the tree.

  Chapter 9

  The Eyes of a Wolf

  In the morning, Leela was so thirsty she started chewing on the wet grass. The air was already hot and her bunched up green sweater-pillow was soggy from the night dew. Shaking it out, she looked across a vast field of tall grass edged by pine trees. Where was Fox? Where was Eagle? Closing her eyes, she saw herself flying with the geese, and that memory chased away the sorrow that threatened to creep back into her thoughts.

  A hawk flew toward the far edge of the meadow. She followed its path relieved to hear the sound of water. After a long drink, she tied her tangled hair into a ponytail with some vines. Her sneakers were caked with mud and her fingernails were black with dirt. It was time for a bath.

  Without bothering to take off her sneakers, Leela took a running jump into the deep part of the river. The cool water felt so good, she floated on her back letting the gentle current carry her downstream. Her daydreams were interrupted when her head bumped into something sharp.

  “Ouch,” she groaned.