The early after noon sunlight dances on the water of the creek. The creek's shores are a riotous patchwork of colors, with the wildflower in full summer bloom. Near one patch of flowers a turtle sits, soaking up the sun. In a nearby tree, a red winged black bird sings, it's voice high and sweet. Dragonflies and damselflies dart everywhere in a beautiful dance of life.

The only thing missing is humans. At least until the canoe quietly glides up the creek. Paddling the canoe is a young teen-aged girl, with long straight hair the color of maple syrup and big blue-green eyes. She is wearing a blue racing swimsuit that accents her athletic build and lightly tanned skin.

Her strong arms easily guide the canoe against the current. Her keen eyes watching everything. With a fluid motion she stows the paddle and uses a butterfly net to remove a beer can from the water, then resumes her course. Heading the canoe toward a break in the wildflowers and reeds along the shore.

Stepping out into knee-deep water she brings the canoe onto the shore. Deftly securing the canoe and taking her lunch out. Sitting near the water she eats, becoming just one more creature enjoying the sunshine. Finishing her lunch she places the trash into the canoe leaving the clearing as she had found it.

Looking into the water to watch tadpoles, fishes and bugs swim by, she sees a dragonfly nymph crawl onto the shore and begin to shed his skin. Black and white spotted transparent wings and a pale blue body emerges from the dark plain skin.

She watches this as if in a dream. To those whose senses are attuned to magic could see a surge of energy course though her, then crest, like a river during a flood, as she too changes. Dark wings stretching out from her shoulders. Then she is gone and in her place is a young damselfly.

The Dragonfly turns to the girl/damselfly "Just don't stand there. Spread your wings so they can dry." He orders. Shocked the damselfly asks, "Who are you? What's going on?" The Dragonfly cuts her off "I am Dragonfly of course, I will guide you, but first little one your wings must dry."

Spreading her wings to the sun she turns to Dragonfly.

"Listen carefully little one. Your are very special, one of the People and you are not alone. There are others." She begins to speak, but he interrupts her. "Hush! You will lean more form watching and listening than talking." He tilts his hardening wings to catch more sun. "Now let me tell you the most important things about your damselfly form. Be watchful and wary of hunters. Many things might want to eat you. Birds, frogs, even fish can be a danger little damselfly. Now use those big eyes of yours and find where the predators are."

The Damselfly looks about discovering how different the world seems through the many facets of her insect eyes. Seeing birds, amphibians, and other insects. Sizing them up she saw that she was bigger than all the other bugs.

Looking at the damselfly. "Don't be afraid. You will be able to avoid them if you are paying attention."

She looks into the water at her reflection. She appears to be a very large damselfly with four dark brown wings and a shimmering iridescent blue-green thorax. Looking at the other damselflies she notices that she is almost 4 times their size.

Dragonfly interrupts her assessment. "Time to test your wings little one." And with that he lifts into the air, and as if she always had wings so did she, darting quickly over the water.

To Be Continued...