The Young Heart

Once upon a time, in a world hardly seen by grown eyes, there were three children who lived in a beautiful village amongst an old, wise wood. They stayed with friends and family as one, joyously celebrating every day alike with a smile on their faces and a song upon their lips. There were merry festivals and great feasts, and on nights when one wanted quiet there was a hearty fire with cozy quilts and hot tea. With every new day, the sun shone brightly and the children danced upon the morning dew. Humans and creatures alike lived in blissful harmony throughout their days, for they all sang to the same tune. Many moments they lived this life, and their adventures brought great memories. One day, the eldest of the three children left for a great number to a land not like the beautiful village. When he returned to the wise wood, he brought troublesome news to his two siblings. He told them that they were weak and foolish and that their wonderful village was only a few sticks set upon trees. When the young took him out of their cottage to the festival and merry feasts, he looked around blindly, seeing nothing. That night he told them that he was leaving, never to return, and the youngest, who believed what he said, accompanied him into the darkness. They grew up…and melded into the modern day. For years the child sat alone in her cottage, grieving the loss of her companions. After much debate, she decided to go to their land and bring them home, but when she found them, they were foreign and empty. Though the land was new and tempting, the wise girl saw no sign of joy and merriment in its people. She turned away, hardly escaping its grasps, and returned to the beautiful village she had always known. To this day she laughs amongst the villagers and dances to their song, though the shadow of her loss follows them forevermore.