The Tangerine Sprite and the Wander-Book

“Hurry! I wanna get to the fence today!” the older girl shouts, racing past the ripe blackberry bushes.

Little animals peer through branches, hidden by hollows, stones, and roots, smiling at the children. A squirrel covered in plain sight, basking in the sun, watches the tumultuous joy.

Some kids follow the girl, others don’t, squealing as the roots turn into steps up the small hill. Slight crunches sound as hands grasp for the wood, curving like a handle.

The slightest quiver from little boots climbing shakes through the earthly ground. Well prepared, hidden nuts get squashed for the residents later to eat. A little mouse runs home at the prospect, gathering others for the feast.

Swaying in the light wind, the largest tree on top of the hill blocks the children from nettles on the other side, eyes all over the clearing watching every step.

Watching a ribwort unroot itself and run toward a child stung by a nettle, a slight, snorting, giggly sound escapes for those who care to hear.

For this little creature visiting the forest knows the fear of the residents watching the climb. Yet, when children come running, most animals come by like a well-known secret spread throughout the woods.

So, the tiny visitor was invited to watch, sketch, and play with all the little wonders portrayed. The forest colors are packed, and it hums with the tune of the life-filled clearing.

While climbing higher into a tree, clad in rusty colors, hiding the telltale tuft of hair, the little creature scouts for the perfect view. The owl family, happy about the picture that highlighted their nest, had shared this secret spot.

Spreading out some moss and soft leaves, slightly bushy hands prepare the hidden space. Then, with a small heave, the satchel is pulled up after them.

Maybe later, when some children are a little astray, it might come out. Playing hide and seek with the little ones, eager to find the tangerine sprite or a feather given as a prize. The memory would be captured by other residents, warming the winter months for new children to come around.

For now, though, the latest painting is theirs.

Sitting in a hollow of a tree's trunk, opposite the glade with large, watching eyes, a massive mop of orange hair sits on top of a little head. Holding a coal stick, the little gremlin starts drawing.

The wander-book is filled with tiny sketches throughout the year, the new kits born after winter cuddled up in warm nests. A sparrow’s first flight — not lasting long, followed by a picture of parents feeding inside a bush.

But this time, the gremlin has found a new little muse.

Staring up from the middle of the clearing into the rustling leaves, a child of nearly seven stands in wonder. The base of the sketch is quickly made. Slightly gaping at the dancing sunlight filtering through the ceiling of the forest, the child smiles. A soft line completes the face.

Lemon and tawny light color red, sage, and orange pieces fluttering above.

Pulling out a satchel, the gremlin squashes some berries and takes out a brush, and watercolors are quickly made. The background is quickly filled with others swinging on a rope attached to a branch, dropping onto the forest floor, soft with leaves.

Their jumps, followed by laughter, giggling, and screaming, are lightly embedded with careful strokes.

The gremlin smiles at its picture and downward, enjoying the view. Yet, the child, the focus of its sketch, barely moves their head, gazing at the only falling scarlet, soon captured by crimson, maroon, and amber-gold.

Oh, how nice — a new berry squashed; the gremlin adds leaf-confetti.

And in that bright little clearing, joy painted itself into the world, ready to be remembered again and again. The gremlin would wander, just to return after sharing the stories at home, already filled with sketches in rainbow colors and coal.

Challenge: happiness-and-light-unofficial-challenge Hosted by John Cox and Paul Stewart