The Forest

What is the forest?

The forest is the very first place Vela ever visited. It is a forest that only exists in the dark. From her bedroom window, across the sleeping garden, Vela saw its glow.

What is it like?

The forest is full of old oak trees, with owls hooting in their hollows. Ferns unroll as if to wish you good evening. There is silver moss on the ground, and fireflies glow in the bracken.

When can you visit?

The forest is only open from one o’clock to two o’clock in the night. At two o’clock, it folds itself away, like a flower at sunrise.

Why must the light be kept low?

The forest only exists in the dark. When a light burns too bright, the forest starts to rub out, the way an eraser rubs out a drawing. The leaves go pale. The bark goes blank, like pages that have never been painted.

That is what happened when the Crow turned Vela’s lantern up as bright as it would go. When the light went low again, the owls hooted, as if to say: there you are. We missed you.

Try this tonight

Turn off the big light and use only a small one. What can you see in the half-dark that you could not see before?