The Forest of Freedom

“Uncle, what is that sound outside?” asked little Hannah.

He listened closely and heard, hoo-hoo, hoo. “Ah, that’s an owl - a beautiful bird who watches over the night. There is a legend told about the barn owl; however, only fairies and gnomes have been trusted with the tale,” her uncle said with mystery in his voice.

“I wish I knew a fairy or a gnome so I could hear the tale,” Hannah replied.

“Well lucky for you, I’ve been known to roam with fairies. So, I could share the tale with you, as long as you promise not to tell anyone I talk to fairies,” her uncle looked her in the eyes to show his seriousness as he spoke.

“I promise,” Hannah said with certainty.

Alrighty then, let’s get on with it. Not so long ago, a sweet young girl was searching for courage. Her name was Nell and she had been hurt by someone very close to her. The damage from the pain had caused her to live in fear. She felt like she could no longer trust anyone. This is not the life she wanted to live, so she set out on a quest to find her courage.

Where would one find courage? The girl thought to herself. After a bit of pondering, she came up with an idea. She could go find her courage at the edge of the village where the deep canyon lies. Without another thought, she ran off toward the canyon.

The edge of the village was a beautiful sight, luscious greenery and solid rocks formed a deep canyon. A rushing river went through the middle of the canyon, and every so often you might find a small waterfall flowing down the steep rock walls to the river. It was lovely to look at from a distance, but once you stepped closer to the edge your stomach would turn as fear set in. Nell knew this was the perfect place to turn her fear into beauty.

A bridge crossed the canyon but very few villagers were known to have crossed it. She walked over to the bridge and as she did she tried to calm the thoughts screaming in her head. These were the thoughts that had been haunting her for so long. Nell wanted to tame them. The only way she knew how was to go against them. With each step, her body and heart had to fight the pull of her mind. Two were telling her to keep going and one was telling her to stop.

She reached the bridge and slowly put her foot out to lightly touch the first wooden plank. A rush flew over her body as she felt the shift in foundation. If she took another step she would be suspended over the canyon. The bridge was made of steel and wood, it was solidly built, but for some reason that didn’t make her next move any easier.

Her mind raced with what if’s as she tried to control the situation instead of allowing the moment to flow into whatever it may be. She could feel her heart telling her that the control and doubt were more signs of fear, it was all holding her back from being who she truly wanted to be. Who was that exactly? She wasn’t sure. All she knew is that she wanted to be free -free from the limitations.

Next thing she knew her heart began to guide her as she slowly walked over the bridge. As her heart took over, her mind eventually stop holding her back. The bridge seemed forever long, as she glided across it. Nell knew she had to keep moving forward, for if she stopped her mind might take over again. Walking with her head down she wasn’t sure how much further she had until she reached solid ground again. Then in her peripheral vision, she saw dirt, this motivated her to walk more swiftly. Her movements had so much intention up until then. Once she saw dirt, it was as if her body took over and rushed her across.

The bridge had come to an end and as she stepped onto the dirt she collapsed in exhaustion. She was emotionally exhausted from fighting the reactions of different parts of her being. Even though exhaustion had set in, she was also feeling a sense of relief and excitement. Fear hadn’t controlled her this time and that was exhilarating.

She looked around to see where she had landed. A meadow was before her. Beyond the meadow was a forest thick with mountain trees. The forest seemed dark and cold, she wasn’t sure what to make of it yet. Her mind began to tell her the forest was full of her fears and she wouldn’t be able to face them. After tasting freedom by crossing the bridge and realizing how exhausting it was, she wasn’t sure she would be able to handle the thought of the forest.

Suddenly, two angels glowing with light came to her side and lifted her up off the ground. They held her high towards the sky. She saw a light coming down from the clouds and entering her heart. The light and light beings were giving her strength. After several minutes, the angels gently sat her on the ground and faded away into an invisible realm.

Nell decided that was enough courage for one day and began her descent back across the bridge. She went home with a smile on her face knowing she would sleep well that night. As she prepared herself for bed, she heard an owl outside her window, hoo-hoo, hoo. For some reason, the sound of the owl brought her peace. She drifted off to sleep remembering the light that had entered her heart earlier in the day.

As the early morning dawned, she rose with a freshness of spirit. Nell thought another day in the meadow would be good for her heart and soul. Off to the edge of the village, she went with a skip in her step. Crossing the bridge this time was one of joy and happiness instead of trepidation and insecurity. Soon she was in the meadow peering into the forest. Her focus zeroed in on the darkness in-between the trees. After gazing at it for some time, she began to see beady eyes peering back at her.

Once again, she could feel the fear taking over her mind. Questions like, what are those beasts, will they harm me, how can I protect myself, filled her head. Suddenly, an owl flew out of the forest, his flight seemed to be heading straight for her. Before she had time to react the owl landed on her shoulder. It was a barn owl. She wasn’t sure whether she should trust him or fear him. They looked each other in the eyes, peering into each other’s souls. Then the owl said, “it’s okay, I can see in the dark. I can guide you through the forest.” Her confidence soared. She closed her eyes and felt her body grow all the way into the sky. The clouds surrounded her head and she felt courage enter her mind.

Receiving a courageous spirit from the clouds, she shrunk back down to her normal size. Nell knew courage only came to those who faced their fears and not to those who ran from them. With this thought, she knew those beasts were all her fears. Everything she’d ever been afraid of, lived in that forest. If she didn’t face them now, they would haunt her forever. The owl could feel the shift in her energy and began to guide her toward the forest with encouraging words.

The intimidation she felt when she first stepped on the bridge entered her body once again. She had to fight her doubtful thoughts and keep moving forward just as she’d done before. Her foot slowly entered the cool darkness of the forest. Before taking another step, she looked at the owl for assurance. The owl spread its wings behind her head as if to tell her this wasn’t the time to go back, but to keep moving forward.

With a deep breath in, she stepped fully into the trees. Her heart was beating like a drum. Bom, bom, bom, bom. The beady eyes of the beast appeared before her. She stopped to look around, they were surrounding her. Soon the eyes came closer. She froze. Then, the eyes started to take shape, she could see the forms of the beasts. Some were zebras, others were elephants, she was still trying to make out what the other animals were around her. They gently ran towards her, and she was able to see a crowd full of baby animals. There was nothing to fear, they were just cute little curious beings coming to greet her.

One of the animals, in particular, stood out to her. It was a lion cub. The little cub came toward her with a playful pounce. She knelt down to welcome the cub and realized this tiny lion had a bigger message for her. The message was simple, the cub represented her courage and power. Some day, this little one would be a proud lioness walking with such confidence. A confident lioness is also what the girl would become if she continued to face her fears and embrace her power.

For some reason, the girl felt fear thinking about stepping into her power. She wasn’t sure why her own power startled her, but there was something about it that made her want to stay a little cub. Her thoughts and fears faded away as she looked around at all the animal support she had. The things she could do knowing she had a forest of support guiding her, were way beyond her wildest dreams.

From that day forward Nell visited the forest often. She named it the forest of freedom since that is where she found freedom from her fears. The owl became known as Will, the lioness was Lily, and the elephant was Ezi. These were the three guides who helped the girl throughout life’s struggles. Whenever she was afraid, needed someone to talk to, or just wanted to play she could come to the forest and find her way.

After years of visiting the forest, she grew up to become a beautiful young woman. With her growth, her time became full of life's duties and she rarely made it to the forest of freedom any longer. But when she saw or heard an owl in the distance she knew it was Will looking out for her. It was a message to pause, feel into her heart, and keep moving forward. Whenever she heard Will she knew she was in the right place at the right time.

Lily, Ezi, and the others started to miss Nell. So, the fairies and gnomes decided to keep the girl’s story alive by telling the tale of Nell every Spring during the full moon. You see, the light of the Spring moon reminds them of the light Nell received in the meadow. And Spring reminds them of her courage. Nell was rebirthed through her strength. But first, she had to fight the tough soil for her little sprout to break through the ground and bloom in the light. Her mind was the tough soil, her courage was the sprout, and the lioness within is the bloom of her being.

It has been said that there are times you can hear the roar of a young maiden in the Spring. When you hear it, you know it’s the time to find your courage. So, that little owl out there tonight might just be one of the friends from the forest of freedom. Never be afraid of the owl for they have the sight to see through the night. Instead, pause, feel into your heart, ask them for guidance and see what happens next. Always remember to keep moving forward and never let the past hold you back.

As Uncle finished his story he turned to look at his niece and found her fast asleep with a grin on her face. She may not have heard the whole story, however, it was obvious she had received the wisdom from the tale. Who knows, she may be running free with lion cubs and barn owls in her dreams.