The Adventures  of Anamika:

Part One: The Beginning

*****Once upon a time in the very middle of the forest, there was an old, wise tree. The old tree knew everything, for he had been there for a very very long time. All the animals of the forest came to him for companionship and advice, so in a way he was like the kind old Father of the forest, and everyone loved him.
There was also a very small creature in the same forest. Separated from her family at birth, she had grown up, somehow on her own, and was not brave enough to venture from her burrow. She had soft, light colored hair and very bright blue eyes, something strange for such a creature. She had no one to ask her way or teach her about life. So she just wandered around, exploring the forest and all the wonders that it held. She loved how blue the sky was during the warm days, but the nights frightened her, becasue she did not like the dark. She was afraid of what may lurk there in the shadows. But her love for exploring was greater than her fears, so she roamed deeper and deeper into the forest each day.
*****She did not meet anyone else, so she thought she was all alone and after a while she found comfort in that, and keep exploring. On a bright sunny day, she was chasing a leaf blowing in the wind, she came upon water flowing through some rocks, not ever having seen flowing water before, she stuck in her tiny fingers to feel it. When she did, the water groaned as if it pained it. "Who are you?" the water asked. She could not answer, because she did not know. Annoyed at having been disturbed, the water flowed on, ignoring her. After staring at it for awhile, she went on, deeper into the forest.
*****Feeling tired, she found a warm place under some rocks and fell fast asleep. Dreaming of what she would discover the next day. The next morning, she woke up and stretched and yawned. Looking up at the sky, wondering where was the bright light that usually was there. But instead she saw fluffy things, looking white and soft. She smiled, thinking how nice it would be to touch something that looked so soft. But as the morning went on, she noticed that the white, fluffy things became darker and darker, then these drops of wetness began to fall. She had never seen anything like it before. She stuck out her tongue and let the drops hit her there, playing and dancing in the new thing she had discovered. "What is this, what could this be?" A small voice came out of the wetness, saying "I am Rain. Who are you?" Suprised at the friendliess of the voice, she looked around to see where it was coming from. "Where are you?" she cried. The voice answered, "I am Rain, from the heavens." and again asked the same thing, "Who are you?". "I don't know" she answered, "how can I find out." She could hear the Rain sigh, "You can always ask the old tree in the middle of the forest, he knows everything." That excited her and she wanted to know where she could find the tree, and asked Rain, and he told her to keep going in the direction she was traveling, and she would find it.
*****Excited with her new information, and happy to have made a new friend, she ran off in the direction with even more purpose in her step. And soon, just as Rain had said, she came upon a huge, old tree and knew instinctly that this must be the tree that she had been told about. Just a little in awe, she held back from running up to the old tree, somehow sensing that the tree deserved respect. She stood there for a moment, holding back her excitement, she stood waiting patiently for the tree to notice her. After what seemed like ages, the leaves rustled and the old tree woke up, stretching it's branches. Blinking at the unexpected sight in front of it, it's old tired eyes narrowed for a moment, then grew gentler, realizing that the tiny sight in front of him was trembling. "What is it, my little friend?" he asked. Feeling a little braver, she moved closer to the old tree, but all she could do was stare at the wrinkles in the bark and notice the heavy limbs, full of huge green leaves, and still felt in awe of the old tree and could not utter a sound. "Come on, little one, nothing to fear, come closer and tell me your story."
*****Feeling a little braver and relaxed and the friendliness in the old tree's eyes, she came closer, almost close enough to touch the bark of his trunk. Looking down at her feet and in a very tiny voice, she said, "I met Rain in the forest, and he said perhaps you could tell me who I am." The old tree was silent for a moment that seemed like forever, she looked up to see if the old tree had fallen asleep again, but instead found him looking at her tenderly. "Come on child," he said, "tell me more about you. Why are you alone in this big forest?" Blinking back tears, feeling that she could tell this wonderful old tree everything, she poured out her entire story. The old tree listened, only interrupting to ask a question or encourage her to go on.. Finally her story was done. The old tree closed his eyes for a moment, thinking hard. Then he said, "I am Naveen, the oldest, wisest tree in the forest.. I am touched by your story. And I would be happy to give you a name. Your name is Anamika." She drew in her breath, whispering the name, the wind carried it away and brought it back like the words to a beautiful song. Anamika danced in circles and laughed. Very happy now that she had a name all her own. The old tree smiled one of his rare smiles and watched her, glad that he had made her so happy. Anamika suddenly stopped, and remembering her manners, turned to the old tree and thanked him from the bottom of her heart. Then she remembered she was alone, and a frown crossed her face. Concerned, the old tree asked her what the matter was. She looked up into his wise eyes, and told him her problem. Again, the old tree smiled and told Anamika now that she had a name, she would make friends and would not be alone anymore.
*****Happy once again, Anamika rushed back to find new things and explore new places. Again she came upon the flowing water, very happy now, she rushed over and put her hand in the cold, clear water. Again the stream growled it's reply to her, "Who are you?". This time Anamika cried out happily, "I am Anamika." This time the water was more responsive, and was happy to meet Anamika, and they chatted for awhile. Now she had befriended her first discovery in the forest. After their talk, she promised to come everyday, so they could be better friends as the time went on.
*****Anamika went farther in a different direction, following some butterflies. She came into a small clearing, and there before her eyes, was another creature, not much different from her, soft dark hair and warm eyes. "Hi" she said, "I am Anamika". She seemed to startle the creature for a moment, then when it sensed her friendliness, it relaxed, and returned the greeting, "Hi, Anamika, I am Bunny." Bunny smiled and Anamika knew that she had found a friend for life. They talked endlessly. Then the sky darkened, and Anamika remembered her friend that had sent her to the old tree, and got excited again, expecting to see her friend Rain again. She hurriedly explained to Bunny about her friend Rain, but Bunny already knew Rain quite well, and was happy that the three of them could form a lasting friendship. Soon the droplets came, and Rain came, making everything fresh and new again. And Bunny and Anamika danced in the warm drops that Rain brought, laughing and feeling wonderful. And Rain laughed with them, feeling the joy that his droplets had brought to his old friend, and his new one. Soon, almost too soon, the sun peeked thru the clouds again, and Rain left, but not without giving his love and leaving behind a wonderful feeling for both his friends. Bunny and Anamika hugged, promised to meet each day in the clearing, and after Bunny said she had to be home, she left, and Anamika was alone again.
*****Feeling refreshed and very happy that she had made another new friend, she wandered in another direction, to see what she would find there. After a while she stopped at a log, sat down on it to think of the events so far in her day. Even thought Anamika had made new friends today, with her new name, she still had a feeling of lonliness. Even with all her new friends, she still needed to feel a sense of belonging. There was an empty place in Anamika's heart and she knew to be really happy, she would have to fill that void too.

Wanna hear the rest of Part One? And the rest of the story? Email me for it.

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