text: A long time ago, in a forest not far from here, a little girl of no more than four stood looking up at the trees in awe of their great heights. She was amazed at the texture of the bark beneath her tiny fingers and the colours of the leaves on the forest path. Upon hearing soft foot steps crunching the leaves behind her, she giggled and darted through the trees, hiding behind an exceptionally large one. She waited, breathing heavy, for the footsteps to continue. She heard them pick up speed, and suddenly the girl was flying through the air, swinging in the arms of her father. Squealing in delight she begged to be swung higher and faster. Her father swings her around once more, before plopping her down into the foliage on the forest floor. Kneeling before his little girl, looking earnestly into her sweet face, he warned her not to run off again, for the woods were quite large, and it would be easy to get lost. The girl, quick to reassure that she would stay close, nodded her head vigorously, causing her dark curls to shake. Together they walked through the forest, marvelling at the trees and the path, touching the leaves and the moss mottling the tree bark. It was then the little girl saw it. A butterfly. It was the bluest butterfly she had ever seen. Ignoring her fathers earlier warning she left the path and followed the butterfly deeper into the woods, and away from her father. She climbed over fallen logs, and ducked under low branches. She walked for hours in the woods, following the butterfly, while her father searched for her. Eventually, after the sun had retreated, and the shadows crept closer, the butterfly landed on single flower, the colour of the morning sun. Creeping up to the flower, she stared, wide eyed, at the butterfly. At this time a boy, only a few years older than she, stood in the shadows watching the girl. He knew she was loved and that someone must be missing her, for her hair was tied up in ribbons, and her clothes, despite her trek through the woods, were clean. Stepping into the light he called out to her “Hey, you!” The girl jumped in fright, spinning around to see who was there. When she saw the boy, his own clothes dirty and ripped, she rushed to him, feeling great sadness the sight of him. She gave him a hug and told the boy how they were going to find her father, and he would wash and fix his clothes, “because that’s what daddies do.” She took the boys hand and gave a pull on his arm. “Come on,” she complained. “He can’t help you if you don’t come with me” The boy didn’t understand, but knew the woods were no place for such a girl, especially a nice girl. Giving in, he held her hand tight and together they looked for her father. Another hour passed, and the little light left soon turned to darkness. The girl was growing scared her, only comfort in the boy still holding her hand. He whispered to her that everything would be okay. Shortly after, the children noticed long sweeping lights, filtering through the trees. A search party was out looking for the lost little girl. When the children were spotted by the a member of the search team, they were scooped up and brought to the search base. The news soon spread, and the girl was rushed into her fathers waiting arms. She twisted to find the boy in the celebrating crowd, so her daddy could help him wash and sew his clothes, but he was no where to be found. The boy was gone. The girl was brought home, and while she and her father still walked the forest, it was impressed upon her that she never leave the path. The passing days turned to weeks, the weeks into months, until many years had passed and the girl was no longer a girl, but a woman. And as the woman walked the woods, staying on the familiar path her father had taught her so many years ago, she came across a blue butterfly. The second blue butterfly she had ever witnessed in these woods. Without a second thought, she took off after the butterfly. Her shoes, tripping her as she ran were quickly discarded. Her clothes caught and tore on stray branches, but the woman did not stop. She ran and ran until the sky had darkened, and the butterfly finally stopped to rest on a yellow flower. Recognizing this place she spun around, just in time to see a man step into the moonlight. “Its you,” she whispered, breathless. The woman had finally found the boy who had saved her so many years before. She ran to him, took his hand, and together they walked through the forest once more. This time the woman was not afraid, for she knew she was safe, and the man felt no need to reassure her, instead they walked in silence knowing they had finally found their home.