Hollow light and small courage

Inside the stump glows a pocket of firefly light. The glow shapes a circle on the wood as if the forest is drawing a gentle door.


 Leafy thanks the light and finds a feather snagged on splinters. Max flushes. I was careless. Leafy touches the feather. Care grows when we notice what we missed. 


The stump opens a hidden seam and shows a short tunnel that leads under the path. A faint chime sounds ahead. Distant leaves flicker like signals. The tunnel is safe yet close. The open path is wide yet windy. Both ways ask for attention.

3D cartoon of Leafy touching a tall warm tree while Max circles slowly. High above a crown shaped nest gleams. Birds perch nearby ready to help. Soft golden light through leaves. Saturated colors and clean lines. Aspect ratio sixteen by nine.

Climb with careful steps
3D cartoon of Leafy kneeling by a clear brook holding a small silver bell. Max dips low above the water. Add a stepping log downstream and mist upstream. Use saturated colors and soft ambient light. Gentle depth of field. Aspect ratio sixteen by nine.

Cross the stepping log
3D cartoon image of Leafy easing a ribbon from berry thorns. Max hovers above on watch. Show a sketch note with wings on the ground. Sunlit root arch ahead. Colors are bright and kind. Soft ambient lighting. Enchanted Forest plants frame the scene. Aspect ratio sixteen by nine.

Pass under the root arch
3D cartoon with playful wind swirl lifting leaves. Leafy speaks kindly to the breeze. A small pouch rests near a mushroom ring. Max grins with wonder. Soft light and saturated colors. Aspect ratio sixteen by nine.

The wind hums softly.