10. Something was changing forever.

I was in bed when I woke up, and Dad called me for breakfast. At first, I thought I was dreaming. I didn’t know how I had gotten home the previous night. But I was quickly convinced that everything was real and that I was wide awake in the nest.

Then I wondered if the day in the woods of adolescence had not been a dream. Whatever the case, it was getting late, and we needed to leave the house to go to school!

It took a lot of work to concentrate on my lessons. All I wanted was to look for my friend, who attended another school, and ask her if we had been together in the forest the day before and thus know once and for all if everything had been a dream.

Finally, it was time to leave school, and Dad picked us up for lunch. He and my brother chatted the entire trip, but my mind was still on the mysterious forest where I thought, almost certainly, I had been the day before.

«And how was it for you today?» Dad asked me when we were arriving home.

«Good!» I said, not wanting to talk.

He realized my mind was elsewhere and did not insist on speaking to me.

It was strange how I felt then: on the one hand, I was glad that he realized I didn’t feel like chatting and respected my silence. But on the other hand, I was annoyed by his lack of interest in what was happening to me! This last feeling increased as he resumed his cheerful conversation with my brother, and I felt jealous and unhappy.

Then, the dryad’s voice came to mind, saying that my poor father could never come out well if I insisted on always seeing something negative in his actions:

«Had he insisted on you chatting with them, you would have been angry because he won’t leave you alone with your thoughts. But when he respects your silence, you accuse him of indifference and not caring about what’s happening to you.» I thought I heard her say.

And after reflecting for a moment, I couldn’t help but agree with her.

So I pushed those negative emotions away and thought again about how I would ask my friend if we had entered the forest or not.

After lunch, I stayed in bed for a while, vainly trying to discover what had happened the day before. Until, tired of going around about it in my head, I decided to search for my friend so she could clarify it for me.

However, when her father opened their front door and told her I was looking for her, she came over, rather sleepy, and said she didn’t want to come out; she wanted to stay alone in her room, listening to music.

«Can I come into your room and talk to you briefly? I want to ask you something about the forest we were in yesterday.» I explained.

She seemed uncomfortable, and before answering me, she looked over her shoulder to make sure her father wasn’t listening. Seeing that no one was nearby, she said in a low voice:

«It was an unforgettable adventure! But I’m not ready to go back yet. I want to organize my thoughts and think about what happened in that clearing and Fantasy’s stories. That’s why I want to be alone in my room. Do you understand?» she asked me with pleading eyes.

«Yes, of course I understand! I have a lot to think about, too. I just needed to be sure that it wasn’t a dream. If you’re okay, we’ll talk about it another time.»

She agreed, and we said goodbye.

I came home without knowing what to do, and I finally decided to take my violin out of the case and practice a bit. The sound I managed to get out of it that afternoon was so

beautiful that it brought to mind the symphony at the muses’ spring, and for a moment, I had the impression that Terpsichore was nearby.

When it was time for an afternoon snack, I was already in an excellent mood, satisfied with my practice, and happy to be home. Music had renewed my energy, and after chatting happily with my parents and brother and playing a little with the babies, I started doing homework for school.

My mind was clear, and I soon finished, so I asked permission to play on the computer until dinner.

The next day, I was no longer so obsessed with my adventure in the forest; my life was like before that magical experience. Everything returned to normal in my childhood prairie, except my friend rarely came out to play with us. She had become a daydreamer and spent most of her free time listening to music in her room or chatting with her new school friends.

I often went to look for her, but she always said she didn’t feel like playing with me that day or riding our bikes together through the confines of the prairie.

One day, I invited her to play at my house with a new video game Dad had brought us from a trip. When she opened the door, I saw some of her visiting friends laughing, and my friend blushed. I didn’t understand what was happening, but something made me feel very uncomfortable, and I could tell she felt the same way.

However, what shocked me most was that she treated me in a way that I didn’t like at all; as if suddenly we were no longer the good friends we had been until then. She told me not to bother her anymore, that I was getting very fussy, and that she would look for me when she wanted to see me!

I left without saying anything, but it hurt me that she spoke to me that way, and I got the impression that her new friends listening to us had something to do with her strange and unpleasant behavior.

I came home in a naughty mood and locked myself in my room, slamming the door behind my back. Mom came immediately to see what had happened to me, so I told her how my friend had treated me.

«I don’t know what I’ve done to make her treat me like that! Since she hangs out with those girls from her school, she’s been acting very weird.»

«It’s because she’s growing up and starting to feel things she doesn’t understand. She most likely talked to you like that because her friends were listening. Maybe they were teasing her with you, and she felt embarrassed. These things are frequent at her age! Don’t take it too seriously.» Mom advised me.

«But why did her friends teas her? I don’t understand.» I asked.

«Well, at your friend’s age, girls fall in love with cute little bugs like you,» she said, laughing. And tickling me so that I would giggle too, she added:

«I don’t know if your friend is falling a little in love with you or not, but I’d bet that her friends were telling her that she liked you too much, and that’s why she mistreated you and kicked you out; to prove them wrong and they’ll leave her alone, do you understand?»

«Yes, I think that may have been it…» I agreed while I laughed and tried to defend myself from her tickling.

After that day, I didn’t look for my friend again. But soon, she was the one who came looking for me, wanting to go for a ride and talk. 

At first, we didn’t know what to chat about and felt uncomfortable. Then, she suddenly brought up the subject of the forest:

«Have you entered the woods after that afternoon?» she asked without preamble.

«No, I haven’t even been in the confines of the prairie. And you?»

«Yes, I have. I went to the butterfly’s clearing shortly after. That’s where I met my new friends.» she answered.

Hearing her mention her friends made me a little tense. I remembered how badly she had treated me the last time we met. 

She realized and apologized for having spoken to me like that:

«My friends were bothering me and put me in a bad mood. They are sometimes foolish and say things that upset me!» she explained.

«Like what, for example?» I asked.

But she remained silent, and I understood she didn’t want to tell me.

Afraid that she would be cross with me again, I preferred not to insist, and with the greatest of care, I limited myself to comment:

«My parents say we’re getting into an age where we say and do stupid things without meaning to…. The best thing you could do when they annoy you is not to go along with them.»

She smiled, and as if everything had returned to normal between us, she challenged me to play a race.

We spent a lovely afternoon together, and after riding our bike, she wanted to come to my house and play that new video game I had told her about.

A little later, Mom called us for a snack, and while we were chatting with my brother and a friend of his who was visiting, I couldn’t help but notice that Mom was spying on my friend while giving the bottle to my baby brother and talking to the baby girl; who was playing with

a spoon in her high chair.

I wondered if Mom could see in my friend’s gestures or eyes, whether or not she was a little in love with me. But it was only a fleeting thought, and soon I was immersed again in the conversation that we, the four preteen bugs, were having while drinking our milk and eating a delicious carrot cake that Mom had baked that morning while we were at school.

Everything seemed to be as it used to be in my childhood prairie. But I knew that sooner or later we would re-enter the forest of adolescence and that something in us was changing forever.

EVERY END IS AT THE SAME TIME A  NEW BEGINNING!

Destrouch and Hope

Chapters 8 and 9.

8. The Gnomes’ Oak Grove.

I advanced a few more meters and the spring disappeared among the roots of a huge oak tree.

«Where has the spring gone?» I asked Hope.

«Don’t worry about it; the muses make it appear and disappear at will. If you don’t see it anymore, they think you’ve spent enough time with them for this day. Terpsichore will make it appear in your path when she deems it appropriate,» she explained.

Destrouch, tired of hovering, sat on my left shoulder and pointing to the giant oak tree, he told me:

«Now it’s time for you to meet our dear cousins, the gnomes.»

We had arrived at an extensive oak forest in the evening twilight, and suddenly attracted by little lights that appeared to be fireflies, I looked at the ground. But focusing my sight better, I

discovered with astonishment that tiny little men came and went among the prominent roots of those trees, busy with various jobs! 

Seeing me come, one of them welcomed me, beckoning me with both hands to get closer.

Once at his side, I lay down, my belly on the ground below, to be more on par with my small hosts, and to get some rest. My feet were already hurting from walking so much!

«You look tired,» said the gnome who had made signs, now standing before my nose.

«Yes, I’ve been exploring the forest for hours, and I’m starting to feel tired, even though I have seen incredible things!» I replied lazily.

«Well, then we won’t keep you here long, just enough for you to know us and be able to come back with more time another day,» murmured the little man. He then introduced himself:

«I am the chief of the carpenter gnomes. Our job is to help the bugs that enjoy working the

wood, to get woodpecker wings. In that oak live the potter gnomes, who help find baker bird’s feathers. In the oak tree beyond that one, live the goldsmith gnomes.

As you can see, in this part of the forest, there are more oaks and many gnome families; such as the blacksmiths, mechanics, and inventors. We all work and live in this old oak grove, and help creative and hardworking bugs learn the arts and crafts that will allow them to earn strong and resistant feathers. With them, the forest spirit will grant them flexible and aerodynamic wings to fly wherever they want,» explained the carpenter gnome.

I was so absorbed in his explanations that I didn’t notice the presence of a funny lady gnome who had sat down a few centimeters from my elbow.

«But that’s not the only thing we do for them!» intervened the damsel. «We also teach them to

understand the advantages of a simple and happy life and not to take things too seriously. You must learn to free yourself from the worries that do nothing but hinder and shorten your life,» she said, shaking her head as if she couldn’t understand the bad habit of obsessing and making life bitter, so common among the bugs of my species.

And as if she had read my thoughts, she added:

«It’s true, I can’t understand it! No matter how hard I try, I don’t understand why people fuss over unimportant things!”

I smiled and told her that bugs of my species, despite having wings and being able to perform a thousand prodigies, perhaps were not as wise as the inhabitants of that forest.

Both gnomes laughed as they nodded, and, without false modesty, she said:

«Yes, it is very likely. That is why we are here: to help you understand that, no matter what happens, life in this world is a wonderful celebration to which we all have been invited so we can enjoy it!»

«But it’s not always a fun party. Sometimes, it gets ugly, and we suffer a lot!» I complained.

«True. But sadness and pain always fade away over time. And the party continues giving us new joys and surprises!» she refuted me with genuine joy.

«Yeah, maybe…» I shrugged without intending to enter into philosophical discussions.

9. The magic chest.

The carpenter gnome noticed that I was beginning to feel restless and depressed, so he advised me to get on my way and try to leave the forest before it got dark.

But before saying goodbye, he told me they had a gift to give me as a souvenir of my first visit to their oak grove:

«Close your eyes tightly and imagine a small chest.» he urged.

I obeyed and soon saw a beautiful chest with golden locks and precious stone inlays.

«Very good!»  he exclaimed as if he too could witness it. 

And then he gave me the following instructions:

«When you have a problem you don’t know how to face or cannot solve, put it mentally inside your magic chest before going to sleep at night. Once you have put it away, call us with a strong thought, and don’t think about it anymore. Fill your mind with happy thoughts that have nothing to do with what you kept in the chest.

While you sleep, one of us will bring your chest to the oak grove, and we will see if we can help you solve the challenge you sent us. It may take us a few hours or several months. But it is almost certain that we will be able to find a solution.

However, remember that we are always busy, so you should only seek our help once you have done everything possible to solve your problems yourself. Those who call us for nonsense, we end up ignoring them, and we may ignore their calls when they really need us!» he warned me.

I stood up, thanked them for the gift and the excellent advice, and said goodbye.

It was getting dark, and as I walked away, taciturn among the immense oaks, I felt a cold wind freezing my hands, and I wanted to be back in the nest.

Soon, the oak grove became another memory, and I had to go through the bushes again. The fatigue and the difficulty of walking in the dark made me lose sight of Hope and Destrouch; and although I thought about calling them, I was in a bad mood and preferred to be alone.

I stumbled or fell at every step as the darkness and exhaustion increased. My lousy mood turned first into a rage and then into despair. I couldn’t see a way out of the woods, and for a moment, I thought I would never find it. I was lost, afraid, and cold, and a great anguish invaded me. Yet, feeling too embarrassed to call my friends for help, I was about to cry despite all their advice.

Prey to anger and frustration, I began to hit the plants that were in my way as if wanting to get even with them for keeping me prisoner in that damned forest. 

Then, from the top of a pine tree, a little woman, more attractive than any other I had seen in the forest, called me with a whistle:

«It’s no use taking it out on the poor plants! They are being quite patient with you. But

If they get angry because of the unnecessary harm you are causing them, you will be hopelessly lost!» she scolded me.

«Who are you? Please help me get out of this place! I want to go home now.» I begged her.

She, who had no wings, descended the branches with a monkey’s agility and speed; within seconds, she was standing on a pinecone in front of my face.

«I am a dryad, a forest nymph. This forest is full of nymphs, but we usually stay out of sight.»

Although I was curious about this new creature of the forest, I wanted most at that moment to get out of there as soon as possible, return to the nest, and be with my family. So I just asked her the way back to the prairie.

«Well, I don’t know! That depends on what you have managed to find in the forest…» she said, somewhat confused.

«But I haven’t found anything!» I complained, on the verge of crying.

«Don’t worry, don’t despair, because then you won’t be able to think clearly!» she said, wanting to prevent me from panicking.

I knew she was right, so I sat on the ground and, resting my back on the thick trunk of the pine, I tried to calm down.

She came to pose on one of my knees, and with maternal patience, she told me:

«Very well, now calmly try to remember. No one spends a day in the forest of adolescence without taking any gifts! The spirit of this place wouldn’t allow it.» she assured me.

It was already night, and I was exhausted and scared. But the dryad’s sweet voice helped me calm down and think more clearly. I mentally reviewed the entire route since my friend and I had entered the forest, and I finally found out what the beautiful nymph was referring to:

«I remember!» I said triumphantly. «The gnomes gave me an imaginary chest where I can put the problems I cannot solve without help.»

And in a mocking tone, she added:

«For example, how to get out of the forest and return to your home!»

«Exactly! All I have to do is put it there, call them with my thoughts, and let them solve it while I fall asleep thinking about happy things.» I explained.

«And what are you waiting for? Do it, and then I’ll sing a song to make you fall asleep!» she said enthusiastically.

«But if I fall asleep here, my parents will worry!» I said, distressed.

And she, with a frown, asked me:

«Haven’t the gnomes told you not to take things so hard, not to worry so much? Trust them! They are wise, and will help you get out of here on time.»

«Okay, you’re right. Besides, I don’t know what else I can do. I will never find my way out in this darkness!» I admitted.

Without saying more, I closed my eyes, mentally put my problem inside the magic chest, locked it well, and called to the gnomes with all my might. Then I lay down on the pine-needle mattress, and the dryad sat on my chest and began to hum a song, in a language unknown to me. Her warm voice was very relaxing, and soon I fell asleep.

7. The Muses’ Spring.

As I struggled through the bushes, stoically enduring the scrapes and punctures of

rosehips and blackheads, I thought about my future wings and everything they would allow me to know. Suddenly, the singing of birds that I had never heard before took me out of my fantasies.

I walked a few more meters and noticed that underlying the melodious singing of those birds was the gurgling of a spring. And the closer I got, the more sounds I perceived!

 I immediately smelt the subtle aroma of water running among willows, freesias, and orange trees in bloom. When I reached the shore, I drank from the fresh waters that meandered playfully, spinning and jumping into small crystal waterfalls. I leaped over the narrow spring and followed its course for a long stretch, immersed in the extraordinary symphony that flooded that place

This side of the spring was free of weeds or thorns blocking my path. There were only spaced trees that let the warm rays of the sun penetrate through their branches. And all kinds of musical sounds reverberated everywhere.

I would have liked to stop there indefinitely, but Destrouch warned me that I could only stay in that place for a short time:

«Visitors are allowed to stop and rest for a while, but then they must go on their way. Unless they are willing to participate in the orchestra, help color the flowers, carve the fallen twigs, sculpt the spring rocks, or do something like that,» he explained. «In a few words, the muses don’t admit just anyone into their spring. Whoever wants to stay here must help them create beautiful things for their magnificent home.»

And Hope added: «You can visit their spring whenever they invite you. But the muses are as generous as they are demanding! They only allow free entry to those who accept to work hard for them. Everyone else can come here only when invited and can only stay as long as the muses deem it appropriate.»

But I was barely paying attention to what my friends were saying because I was immersed in the wonderful music of that place!

With every step I took, I discovered a new work of art hidden in the landscape. Every plant, every tree, and every flower was in the right place and had the perfect shape and the exact color, making the landscape look like a painted picture. Even the smallest stone was sculpted or colored, and each twig was a figure or a carved utensil with intricate designs!

Everything there was art and poetry, and I wished I had my violin to join the invisible orchestra. If only I could write those beautiful melodies that came to mind so that I could play them on my violin one day!

«Don’t worry about it! If you persist with your music studies, I promise I will make you listen to these and many other melodies,» a sweet voice whispered.

I looked around in surprise, trying to discover who it was, but I couldn’t see anyone. Then Destrouch looked at Hope with a mischievous smile and said:

«It seems that a muse has spoken to our friend!»

«It is not surprising. He plays the violin and the muses may have been visiting his nest for quite a while now.» Answered the fairy.

I looked at them intrigued and tried to explain that a voice was talking in my head but it wasn’t part of my thoughts. I was sure of that! They laughed out loud at my bewilderment, and Destrouch explained that the voice I had heard was one of the muses of that spring: «You don’t see her simply because the muses usually remain invisible, except for rare opportunities when they reveal themselves to the eyes of a privileged few.»

«Who are these muses you’re talking about?» I asked them. Although the name was familiar, I needed to find out what they were.

«The muses are nine very wise and talented sisters,» explained Miss Hope, an expert in lecturing on these topics that were so mysterious to me. «They help the bugs with artistic talent to get nightingale, parrot, swan, flamingo, and other birds’ feathers to excel in the arts. Although the muses are not interested in painting, sculpture, or crafts, not far from here live other beings who work with wood, stones, metals, and colors. You’ll meet them soon!» She assured me.

«The one who just spoke to you mentally must have been Terpsichore, the guitarist. She is the muse that inspires those who play string instruments,» said Destrouch.

I wanted to see the muse, and while I thought about this, the voice spoke again in my mind:

«We muses are not meant to be contemplated by mortals but to be heard by the

minds of some of you. If we let ourselves be seen, it is possible that you no longer pay attention to what we try to transmit. Dazzled by our beauty, you would probably be unable to concentrate your restless minds on anything else,» she said.

«Okay, I won’t insist on that any further! But would you please let me listen to that beautiful music for a few more minutes?» I asked.

«Okay, just as long as you continue walking by the spring.» Terpsichore agreed.

I immediately started listening to that magnificent symphony again, while skirting the zigzagging course of the waters, preceded by Hope and Destrouch hovering

dancefully behind me.

The music faded as we entered the depths of the forest again, and little by little it was replaced by a growing rumor of forges, hammers, chisels, saws, and sandpaper. And in a 

a very different way from that of the muses’ melodious orchestra, these sounds also created another type of music, much more rhythmic and vital.

6. The Mysterious Book of Life.

Next, Fantasy told me the following story:

“Imagine a mysterious book with soft leather covers appears in the forest. Its hundreds of sheets of outstanding silk paper contain all kinds of stories, poems, maps, illustrations, mathematical equations, chants, and many more.

One day, a toad passes by and, upon discovering the book, jumps onto the cover and, fascinated by the softness of that leather, lies down there to rest. Once he has rested enough, the toad leaves as he came, happy to have found that beautiful treasure but unable to recognize any other use. Since the book is weighty, it is not worth carrying it around simply to rest on its covers. So the book is left behind.

On another occasion, a monkey passes by that place, too. Unlike the toad, the monkey can not only feel the softness of the book’s covers but he is also able to open it and delight in its illustrations. The monkey examines the book with fascination for a few days, but after some time, he too gets bored of looking at it and trying to decipher, without success, the meaning of those rows of strange scribbles that take most of the pages. As he does not know how to read, the magical treasure is abandoned again in the forest until a child passes by and picks it up with great joy. Well, this child knows how to read, and the stories that the book keeps for him are the most incredible ones he has ever read. But the boy does not understand most of the wonders kept in that magnificent book because he is too young to understand mathematics or poetry, nor can he read maps. However, instead of leaving the book in the forest, the boy takes it home to share the treasure with his family.

His father, an explorer, discovers maps that lead him to fabulous places. The mother, a biochemist, discovers formulas to make soaps, perfumes, remedies, and a thousand other things. The older brother, a poet-writer, enjoys the most beautiful and revealing poems; the sister, who studied foreign languages, reads letters and stories from people living in distant countries and learns about different cultures.

A healer aunt finds miraculous methods to cure many ills, until then without remedy.

Thus, each person benefits from the inexhaustible source of wisdom contained in that book of life to the extent of the efforts and knowledge they have gained through life. But even today, most of the book’s content remains a great mystery, requiring new efforts and a curious spirit to unveil its hidden knowledge.”

«Where is that book now?» I wanted to know, forgetting that it was an imaginary book!

«At Mrs. Curiosity’s house,» Fantasy replied, humoring me. «A millennial old woman, in whose eyes shines the enthusiasm of a girl, and whose body, covered with scars hidden among the deep wrinkles of her skin, preserves the vitality of a fifteen-year-old. In the company of her grandson, Astonishment, Mrs. Curiosity is determined to decipher every last secret in that book,» she concluded.

Finally, Hope, always willing to provide more information, completed Fantasy’s story:

«With the help of the three sage fairies Patience, Constancy and Perseverance, the grandmother and her grandson are learning forgotten languages, solving very complex mathematical equations, making all sorts of experiments; to reveal each of the mysteries kept there. And they’re having the time of their lives despite the endless work their research requires!»

I pondered that story for a long time until I finally looked at Fantasy, Lazyness, and Melancholy, and I told them:

«I’m afraid I won’t stay with you in this place. Not because I don’t like it! The butterflies’ clearing is a wonderful place, and you three are lovely. But Destroucho is right: it’s not my destiny to stay here and become a butterfly. I want wings that allow me to fly high and far. I wish to see all the wonders that await me beyond this forest, and I am willing to work hard to achieve this!»

They smiled and, far from being disappointed, seemed to be pleased with my decision. Then, as I stood up and went to say goodbye to them, Hope told me: «There is nothing wrong with stopping by and listening to Fantasy’s stories now and then. Many of them are inspiring and full of wisdom. Nor is it wrong to let Laziness and Melancholy caress you with their soft silk threads. Their threads have the magical power to relieve the pain of some inevitable wounds when you are growing! But don’t let Fantasy hypnotize you with her voice, nor let Laziness and Melancholy’s invisible threads entangle and paralyze you like a spider web.»

I nodded, and Destrouch warned me with his exaggerated tone of fear:

«And also be very careful with two other twin fairies you will meet in the forest one day: Resignation and Acceptance! Never listen to the first one. She is a liar and will tell you that the spirit of the forest is cruel and unfair and that he only benefits his favorites while ignoring the merits of the little bugs he doesn’t like. 

Resignation will tell you it’s not worth fighting for your feathers since the spirit randomly grants wings to whoever occurs to him. This sad fairy has never flown high enough to see the world from the sky. Therefore, she has a distorted view of reality and does not understand why the spirit of the forest does not always allow enterprising and brave bugs to achieve what they set their minds to.

On the other hand, Acceptance does fly high enough to know that sometimes the bugs insist on getting a feather that doesn’t suit the wings that the spirit of the forest has in store for them. That’s why she will tell you that you must not become angry with the spirit if you can’t reach one of your goals despite doing your best. When he does not grant you what you long for, it is not out of malice but quite the opposite. It is because he has something even better waiting for you down the road!» concluded the dragon.

I looked at him incredulously, without fully understanding what he was referring to.

Then Hope clarified it for me with an example:

«Imagine that you are putting together a huge puzzle with your little siblings. You are the only one who saw the picture on the box and knows what picture you are putting together. The others will only discover it as they put each piece in its place.

One of the twins may try to put a piece in the place he thinks is right, but the piece does not fit. Irritated and impatient, he gets angry and tries to make it fit in at all costs. You will look for a way to make him understand that the piece doesn’t belong there, but he, confused, may ignore you. Then, you’ll have no choice but to take the piece out of his hands to prevent him from ruining the puzzle.

The little boy will probably be angry with you and think you are bad and unfair to him. But what else could you do? Only when he finds the piece that fits in that place, or when he sees the image of the puzzle more clearly, will he understand that you were right. But if he gets angry and abandons the game because you don’t let him put the piece in the wrong place, he may never be able to see that he was wrong and will be forever convinced that you were cruel and unfair to him. Do you understand?» She asked me with her usual teacher tone.

«Yes, miss! I understand,» I replied mockingly.

We said goodbye to the fairies in the butterflies’ clearing, and I resumed walking with Destrouch and Hope.

THE MIND.
In India, the human mind is often compared to a monkey that needs to be trained, so it does not make a mess all around us. Curious, restless and sometimes not very reflective, our mind allows itself to be dragged by the senses, taking our attention from one place to another and leaving us exhausted, dazed and stressed. However, like monkeys, the mind is not intrinsically good or bad; It is simply true to its own nature, and if we do not want to live at the mercy of its impulses and clumsy reactions, we will have to know our mind, train it and make it our ally.

KNOW YOURSELF.
The first thing we have to understand is that we are not our mind.

Just as our body has its limbs, organs, bones, etc., and is at the same time the set of all these components; In the same way we have a body, a mind and a consciousness, and we are all these elements. But then who are we ultimately? We are our consciousness. It is the only part of us that is eternal and immutable in its essence, and that encompasses everything else that constitutes our total being.

When we are babies, impulses through our senses rule. It is enough to see how a baby moves when something catches his attention to realize that it is the stimuli that dominate all his activity.

But as the child grows the mind takes control. We no longer react so impulsively but instead evaluate and reflect before acting.

The unfortunate thing is that in general most people stay at this level of consciousness and, since their minds are the ones that govern their lives, they believe that their being is limited to a physical body with a mind that manages it.

It is true that many also have the conviction of being more than this, of having a soul or spirit. But how many of them know it with the same absolute certainty that only the fact of having experienced that immaterial aspect of their own being can provide them?

It is precisely for this: to experience the totality of our being, that meditation is so powerful. This practice allows us to rise a little, to detach our higher self from our mind and to observe its behavioral habits.

By observing ourselves from a perspective that places us beyond our mind we can disidentify from it. And guess who is that observer? It is our spiritual consciousness or soul, whatever you prefer to call it.

Let’s go back to the image of a baby who has just begun to crawl and goes from one place to another chasing everything that stimulates his avid senses. Let us now add to the scene his mother who watches him so absorbed and enchanted that she forgets everything else, including herself. She is as if hypnotized and feels one with her baby. But at some point something will remind her that she is the mother, in charge of that baby!

Our soul or spirit would be the «mom» of our physical, mental and mortal being; our «baby» or ego in this life…

Leaving the metaphor aside, it is usually an illness or some extreme situation that brings people out of the hypnotic trance and awakens their consciousness to the fact that there is much more to them than they previously assumed.

It can also happen fortuitously in the context of aesthetic ecstasy, contemplating a beautiful landscape or feeling that we merge with the essence of everything that surrounds us. But very few have that kind of experience, and even fewer give it due importance so that it becomes something more than just a pleasant memory.

That is why Meditation is an excellent option to voluntarily access that higher state of consciousness, and it is a much less complicated practice than most assume.

To begin, just learn to disidentify from your own mind and observe it for a few minutes a day.

A SIMPLE PRACTICE.

NOTICE:
The mind and monkeys love freedom, so it is better to persuade them than to subdue them. It is not a good idea to start by trying to force our mind to do something that it is not used to doing because, since it is still the one in control, it will soon convince us that this meditating is not for us…

Take a couple of minutes three times a day to observe your mind as if you were observing a monkey walking around. Don’t intervene or judge, just observe it to discover its habits and preferences.

Ideally, you would do this exercise in the morning (while you shower or brush your teeth, for example), at some point during the day (at work or on the bus when you return home), and before going to sleep at night.

When you do this exercise it is essential that you do not identify with your mind and its thoughts. Observe as if it didn’t belong to you, so you can be objective and really get to know it.

PERSUADE:
If you discover trends and habits that don’t benefit you, persuade your mind to change them. Don’t force the change, or your mind will rebel against you! If, for example, in the morning you discover that it starts complaining, seeking conflict because you took it out of your dreams and dragged it to a job you don’t like, tell yourself not to worry, because whatever happens during the day, the night will soon come and you will go back to them. And promise your mind that you will start evaluating job alternatives. Don’t condemn your monkey to live in a cage or a circus!

TRAIN WITH GENTLENESS:
The first step to meditation is mental concentration. Find a time and place to be alone with your mind for fifteen minutes a day and ask it to focus on something you like. It can be a lit candle, an attractive object, a pleasant sound, a mental image or your breathing.

At first your mind will escape after a few seconds. Do not be upset. Observe where it goes, what distracted you, and then bring your mind back into focus with the same gentleness with which you would bring back a curious and restless child who runs away from you all the time. Show it some aspect of that object that arouses its curiosity and you will see that little by little your mind will concentrate on it for longer periods of time.

If you keep to these first two practices for three weeks, you will see that by then it will be your own mind that will ask you to maintain this new habit, because just like monkeys and children, the mind likes to learn and develop new skills.

But if you can’t sustain the practice for three weeks, don’t give up simply because you feel like you failed. Remember that to learn to walk you first had to fall several times until you mastered that skill. However, once you got it, you immediately forgot all the failures and started practicing how to jump, run, dance, climb, ride a bike and who knows how many other things.

Practicing concentration is equivalent to teaching your mint to crawl.

I will explain other more complex practices in future articles, so that one day your mind transmutes into a phoenix capable of taking you to unimaginable worlds. Your mind has the potential to do this and much more. Do not waste it!

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Thank you so much!

Meditar. Todos podemos hacerlo.

5. The butterflies’ clearing.

The clearing was not yet visible when a perfume of flowers and wild fruits intoxicated me. It was autumn, but the air there was springlike. A sweet sensation of placidity flooded my body while a slight drowsiness clouded my mind. I rubbed my eyes to wake up, and when I opened them again, I saw the butterflies’ clearing. It was so beautiful that It felt like a dream!

My friend began to spin, looking at the sky with her arms outstretched like a top. I laughed, seeing her so happy, and started doing the same. We twirled and giggled until we got dizzy and fell onto the cool grass scented with chamomile and clover.

«Let’s find a four-leaf clover and make a wish,» she said.

I ignored her words, and while she was looking for her clover, I stared at the sky and breathed deeply to fill my lungs with those exquisite fragrances.

«I’ve found one!» she cried after a while, lying beside me and facing the sky. «I wish to get out of this forest with no more scrapes or effort, with beautiful butterfly wings,» she claimed. And with a sigh, she added: “Or perhaps it would be better if a handsome prince came to rescue me on his white-winged steed…” 

At that moment, Fantasy came flying towards us, and sitting next to my friend’s ear, she began to whisper a story that spoke of a beautiful yet miserable young lady. Her mother did not love her and forced her to work day and night. She constantly mistreated the poor child, and the unfortunate girl, feeling lonely and helpless, used to dream of the day someone took her out of that horrible place.

In time, a brave prince, hearing that a beautiful maiden was waiting for someone to help her, took a chance to prove himself worthy. He knew he would face the wicked witch holding the girl prisoner, but he found courage, mounted his magnificent flying horse, and went to her rescue. Meanwhile, in the young lady’s house, a fairy godmother, not very powerful but quite convincing, advised her to put up with her mother’s mistreatments, for Prince Charming was already coming on his white steed, the flyer: “Be docile and obedient, and never stop dreaming of a happy life awaiting you, my dear girl!”

In this passage of Fantasy’s story, my friend fell sound asleep. The fairy continued to whisper things in her ear, while Melancholy and Laziness, with their finest silk threads, began to weave a soft and almost invisible white cocoon around her.

I was getting bored, so I sat down and looked at the surroundings, and noticed that among the lower branches of the fruit trees, there were several silken cocoons. The clearing was populated with beautiful butterflies of every size and color imaginable, fluttering happily and carefree among the flowers. I then got up and walked around the clearing a bit, ate some blackberries and figs, and was surprised to find that despite their appetizing appearance and delicious perfume, the fruits of the clearing were not as sweet or tasty as they seemed. But that place was still dreamy, and I wanted to stay there. 

A little sleepy, I sat down again under a mulberry tree and heard Fantasy begin to whisper one of her stories in my ear. I closed my eyes to imagine what she was telling me. It was a story about an intelligent boy who loved playing on the computer. He was a swift learner of all the games, and when he was in high school, he entered a competition from which he emerged as regional champion. The following year, he was the national champion, and in a short time, he was the best gamer in the world.

He became rich and famous before becoming an adult and was hired by an international company to invent new video games. And at the age of twenty, he was making so much money, that he didn’t know what to spend it on!

As I was falling asleep, I imagined I was that boy. But suddenly I heard someone sneezing in front of my face and “Ouch!” It burned me like a flame!

«I’m sorry, I don’t like to make bugs suffer, but it’s the only way I know to undo these silk cocoons,» my little friend Destrouch apologized as he sat on my bent knees in front of my face. I recognized him by his voice as I was covering my face with my hands, sore and bewildered by the assault of his blaze.

I immediately heard Hope’s voice. She handed me a banana leaf impregnated with something that smelled like mint and eucalyptus and told me to put it on my face and press it with my hands for a few moments: «Don’t worry, it’ll go away in a few minutes,» the fairy assured me with a maternal tone.

So it was. Soon, I could remove the leaf from my face and see Destrouch and Hope sitting on each of my knees, looking at me a little worried.

«Are you better now?» the dragon asked me with a somewhat unusual tenderness.

«Yes, it hardly hurts anymore,» I reassured him. And then I asked suspiciously:

”Why did you do that to me? What is happening here? What is this place?”

“Okay, okay, slow down! One question at a time, please,» said Hope in her teacher’s voice.

“You were falling under these fairies’ spell, so I had to burn their threads before they finished knitting their cocoon. Otherwise, you would have stayed here, and it is not your destiny to become a butterfly,» explained Destrouch.

And Hope added: «These young dreamers that you see sleeping in their white cocoons lack the willpower and courage to fight for their wings. They prefer to spend their lives dreaming of blue-blooded princes, crystal castles, flying carpets, and winged horses instead of trying to find feathers in the forest, enduring scrapes, and overcoming fears as they acquire the maturity and strength that the quest requires. However, the spirit of this forest is as demanding as it is generous. That is why even these weak and lazy bugs are granted butterfly wings with which they can fly through these corners of his kingdom.

Some never leave here, while others use those wings to flutter around, searching for the feathers they could not find before. With my support, these bugs may finally earn real wings to leave the forest of adolescence,» concluded the fairy.

«Why can’t the spirit of the forest give us real bird wings, but he does give away butterfly wings?» I asked, a little tempted to stay there, too. I imagined how nice it would feel to be wrapped in one of those soft and comfortable cocoons in that beautiful place, letting my wings grow without any effort.

Hope explained: «Well if you spend the whole day sleeping peacefully instead of moving and exercising, your bug body becomes limp and weak over time. You won’t develop the strong muscles necessary to handle bird wings and learn to fly with them. The only wings such a flaccid body can tolerate are the slender and magical butterfly wings created by these fairies. Of course, with those wings, you can’t fly very high or go too far!,» she pointed out; knowing I longed to go as high and far as possible.

Hearing this made me feel a bit depressed and nostalgic. The idea of having to push myself was unbearably unfair! Why did everything have to be difficult? Why couldn’t the forest spirit give us our wings without asking for anything in return? I asked my new friends about this, and to my surprise, the one who answered me this time was Fantasy, who had remained sitting on top of the mulberry tree, listening to our conversation: “He does give away wings without asking for anything in return! He gives these beautiful butterfly wings that we help create, to all these cute bugs who are reluctant to put in the effort to get better wings for themselves.”

Melancholy added: “The spirit of this forest grants every bug the wings that he or she needs to reach their destiny, and that they can drive by themselves.”

We kept silent for a few minutes. Until Melancholy, noticing my inner struggle, spoke again:

“Perhaps we should tell him about the mysterious book that suddenly appears in the forest…”

4. The Forest of Adolescence.

I was loitering near the forest for some time without feeling predisposed to enter it. I didn’t see either Hope or Destrouch again, and I didn’t want to call them either because I feared they would insist that I go in there once and for all.

Then, one day, while playing with a friend in the confines of the prairie, we started talking about that mysterious place. She told me that she had also met three lovely fairies and that they had told her about that forest, which we would have to enter sooner or later. But she was also a bit scared.

My friend explained that she had realized she was no longer the girl she used to be, but it was clear that she was not yet a woman either. 

“Don’t you sometimes look in the mirror and find it hard to recognize yourself in that image you see reflected there? I can spend hours looking at myself and trying to guess who that person looking back at me is, who I’m turning into. They make fun of me at home and think I look at myself out of vanity or flirtation. They don’t understand that I’m trying to find something in that image that is still familiar!” She sighed. 

I told her I understood because the same thing happened to me, too.

After reflecting in silence, she asked me: “Don’t you wish there was a magic mirror in which we could see ourselves as we are going to be in ten years?”

“Of course, I do!» I answered without hesitation. “Not only would I like to see how I’ll look physically, but I would also love this image to speak and tell me what I will do: where I will study, what job I will have, and other such things. But they haven’t yet .invented a time machine, so we’ll have to wait!» I said jokingly. 

She smiled at me, and we both sat there, trying to imagine the future that awaited us beyond the forest. Suddenly she stood up with an unexpected impulse and with a determined voice she said: “Let’s go in a little bit, without going too far. If we both go together I’m not so afraid. Do you dare?“ She challenged me.

I didn’t feel like going in right then, but neither did I want to come off as a coward. Besides, she was right; it would be better for us to go together so we could care for each other.

It was so that, with a spirit of adventure and a bit of fright, my friend and I entered the Forest of Adolescence for the first time; looking in all directions with every step we took.

«I don’t see any path,» I said, fearing we might get lost and not find the way back out.

“In this forest, there are no paths! Didn’t your friends Hope and Destrouch tell you that?“ She asked.

«No, they didn’t,» I mumbled as I struggled through the bushes.

We advanced a few more meters, and the prairie was no longer visible behind us. I didn’t want to admit it, but I was ready to end our adventure, return to the prairie, and ride my bike. But I didn’t want to be the first to give up. My friend didn’t want to look like a coward either, and having given me the lead, she followed me in silence. I sensed she wanted to leave, too, but, just like me, she was too proud to admit it. “The fairies told me that not far from the entrance to the forest, there is a beautiful clearing surrounded by fruit trees and full of flowers. They promised they would be waiting for me there when I decided to go in,» she finally said, breaking the tense silence between us.

«And where is that clearing?» I implored her.

«I don’t know,» she stated: “The fairies said that I would find it as soon as I got tired of making my way through the branches and scratching myself with the thorns,” she grumbled crossly.

For the first time, I was glad my friend always got tired before me! Every time we went hiking or played a game that required physical exertion, she quickly got tired and had to be waited on and encouraged to keep going.

My efforts to motivate her were often useless because she was often very stubborn and packed like a mule. I decided to speed up my pace so that she would get tired soon and we would reach the clearing the three fairies had told her about. And my idea worked because she soon started complaining about scrapes and punctures, as she was falling further and further behind! Finally, she sat down, angry with me because I did not wait up for her, and she began to cry.

I, too, was exhausted and felt guilty for making her cry. So I went over and tried to comfort her: “Come on! Don’t cry, I wasn’t going to leave you alone! It’s just that I thought that when you got tired, we would find that clearing with fruit trees and flowers, we would see your friends, and you would feel happy again,» I explained while I caressed her head.

“But they lied to me! I can’t take another step, and that clearing isn’t anywhere near!” She complained between sobs. 

«We never lie to our protected bugs,» said a soft voice coming from among the branches of a tree a few meters from us.

«Who said that?» I asked without seeing anyone.

A fairy the size of Hope flew up to us and sat on my friend’s knee. “I’m Laziness, one of this beautiful young lady’s friends. Fantasy and Melancholy are already waiting for us in the clearing of the butterflies,» replied the fairy, pointing to the right.

And without giving me time to say anything, she added: “The clearing is two meters away, and I assure you that it is worth going as soon as possible because Fantasy is about to start telling the story of Cinderella. And what’s more, Melancholy and I have new threads of soft white silk to weave the warmest and most comfortable cocoons!”

These words instantly returned my friend’s smile and strength. She jumped to her feet and began to walk firmly in the direction Laziness had indicated. I, suspiciously, followed her in silence. 

3. Hope and Destrouch.

When I regained my breath, I turned to face north again and gazed at the forest for a while.

«That’s the Forest of Adolescence,» the sweet voice told me.

I turned in the direction from which the voice had come; and what a big surprise to see a beautiful fairy, the size of a sparrow, sitting on a twig near my left ear! 

Noticing the amazed look on my face, she laughed out loud. Her tinkling giggle was so charming that it made me smile, and every trace of my bad mood was instantly banished.

«My name is Hope,» she said when her laughter subsided.

«And I’m Destrouch,» another hoarse voice said behind my head.

I turned around again to see who it was. Resting placidly on another twig at the height of my right ear was a tiny dragon with beautiful bat wings, but green. And instead of a dragon’s tail, this one had a long black raven feather. He was the same size as Hope but had a mischievous look and a certain air of rebellion shone in his eyes.

«What’s the matter? Have you never seen a dragon in your life? » Destrouch asked me, pretending to be annoyed by how I kept staring at him.

I did not know what to answer, so to get out of trouble, I told him that the raven feather he had in place of his tail had caught my attention.

«Oh yes, that’s because of a stupid accident I had,» he replied, lowering his gaze. And immediately explained:

“Anyone can have an accident! I used to have a regular dragon tail. But one day, I got carried away by my work enthusiasm and… Well, I had a small accident,» said Destrouch, a little embarrassed.

Hope laughed out loud again, so heartily that she almost fell off the twig she was sitting on.

I then wanted to learn about that accident. So after having me begging for a while, the little dragon gave in and told me:

“My name was originally Destruction, in honor of my mission in life, which is to destroy everything that is no longer useful or good, to leave room for new and better things.

Now and then, there are times when I have too much work, and once upon a time, I was so excited about my task, that in a matter of minutes, from “too much,” I had barely left “some.» 

Carried away by my enthusiasm and driven by my wild instincts, in seconds, I had left nothing at all. But the euphoria prevented me from stopping, and in my destructive desire, I began to run in circles, desperately looking for something else to pounce on!

Suddenly, I saw out of the corner of my eye, that something was hiding behind me, and without looking twice, I threw one of my most withering flares at it, and ouch,  ouch, ouch, ouch, what horrible pain!! What I incinerated recklessly was my beautiful toothed tail!

Since that day, everyone called me Destru, mocking me for my damn accident.

Over time, I got used to my new name, and not to have a tail.

Then, on another of those occasions when there is a lot to destroy, I relaunched myself

enthusiastically to my task, and with a single swipe of my claws -which though

small as they may be, can make cities and even empires disappear in question of seconds-, from “too much” only “uch” remained.

I lunged for it, but “uch” ran to hide behind me and clung to where my tail had been. This reminded me of what had happened before. So I decided to control myself and let “uch” stay there; as a reminder of what can happen if I don’t hold myself in time.

So, from that day on, “uch,” who had taken the form of this black feather, became my new tail, and my name is Destrouch.”

«So, from too much, you just left that raven feather?» I asked him just to say

something and avoid laughing at the absurdity of his story. I feared he would be offended if I didn’t take it seriously…

Destrouch then stood on his twig, displaying his true tail. Beneath the raven feather was a marvelous peacock tail, more beautiful than any tail I had ever seen! I was fascinated with the design of the patterns and the incredible colors of its magnificent feathers.

The small dragon looked at me proudly and said:

“Isn’t it the most beautiful tail in the world? Don’t make assumptions by the first impression because you never know what you may find under an appearance as dull as my raven’s black feather,» he advised me.

I think Hope got a little jealous because at that moment, she got standing on her twig, and with a schoolteacher tone, she said:

“Well, we all know how beautiful your tail is, Destrouch! But we haven’t come here to talk about that. We have come here to talk to this young bug about the far reaches of the prairie of childhood.»

Without saying a word, Destrouch leaned back comfortably on his twig and, with a 

mocking bow, he gave way to the fairy.

Hope, a little embarrassed by her jealous outburst, sat down again, looking for something to say.

To dissipate the tension generated between my new friends, I pretended to be more curious about that landscape than I was about them. So I asked Hope what the Forest of Adolescence was.

«It’s a forest which every bug that wants to become a winged adult must go through,» she answered. “There lives a sage and demanding spirit who has the power of giving wings to each bug, according to their achievements during their journey through the forest. Teenage bugs get their feathers as they find their way through the woods, overcoming the challenges the spirit throws at each one of them at every turn.

When this spirit sees that a bug is ready to take flight and leave the forest of adolescence, it gives them the wings created with the feathers they have found.

Destrouch and I are some of the helpers of the Spirit of the Forest and we collaborate to transform adolescent bugs into winged adults.»

I remained silent, thinking about what I had just heard. Finally, I asked: “And how do you help the teenage bugs that enter this forest?”

Then Hope, miming Destrouch’s ridiculous bow, invited him to answer me:

«I take care of destroying everything that is no longer useful to the young bug, freeing it from childish things that get in the way and leaving room for the spirit to put the wings the bug will need as an adult,» he said. 

And Hope added: “I am in charge of guiding the bugs through the forest so that they find the feathers with which the spirit will create their wings.

The idea that something in me needed to be destroyed did not please me, but having the wings that would allow me to fly free, was what I longed for the most. So I asked Hope if there was another way to get wings other than going through that forest.

«Well, a few bugs can get wings in another way,» she said somewhat mysteriously and added:

“Do you see those mountains that rise at the end of the desert? They are the Mountains of Faith. A great spirit dwells there, which can also grant wings to its chosen ones. But that path is not for everyone. Only those who hear the call of that Great Spirit should venture into those lonely places. If someone headed in that direction without being called, they would never reach the mountains. They would die or go mad in the desert of mirages,» she warned me.

And Destrouch added:

“On the other hand, the spirit that dwells there can create magnificent condor or eagle wings for his disciples. But he doesn’t give them away to anyone either, since the bugs invited to travel that path must also make enormous sacrifices and overcome innumerable obstacles before getting their magnificent wings.» And with a somewhat evil look, he continued: “Bugs do not go there unacompany either. Just as we help the Spirit of the Forest, the Great Spirit of the Mountains is assisted by angels and demons. And precisely because of the latter, no one should venture in that direction without being invited by the Lord of that realm. Compared to those demons, dragons like me are harmless butterflies!”

“Now, if you look towards the East,” resumed Hope, “beyond the dunes, you can see a beautiful beach that borders the Ocean of the Unknown. Once again, that path is neither for everyone nor free of obstacles and dangers. A powerful spirit also grants beautiful seagull, pelican, and albatross wings which, as you might have already guessed, he doesn’t give them away to anyone. This marine spirit is perhaps the least merciful to his chosen ones. If reckless little bugs head towards the coast of that immense ocean without having matured enough, in the best of cases, they will spend the rest of their days wandering among the dunes of indecision, never even reaching the beach,» said the fairy. 

At this point, Destrouch interrupted her, declaring: “And in the worst case, they will die in a storm of terrors or shipwreck on the island of delusions, where all end up crazy! The mermaids, nymphs, mermen, and other creatures that serve as assistants to this merciless spirit don’t share the same ethical values, ​​nor do they have the same considerations that we, the forest or mountain beings, usually have with the bugs we help. The beings of the unknown have no compassion, so whoever ventures in that direction must be guided by a powerful intuition to keep them alert even in their sleep,» the little dragon concluded, with an exaggerated look of terror on his funny face.

I turned to the South, holding firmly to the branches, and sitting with my back to the forest, I pointed ahead with a trembling hand and asked: “And that great abyss where the prairie ends, what is it?”

«It’s the Abyss of Nothingness,» replied the fairy almost in a whisper. “It consists of many levels, each governed by a different spirit.

At the top level, a rather pious spirit rules, and depending on how a bug gets into his realm, it will come out again quite quickly. At this level, called desolation, the sun’s rays still penetrate, and the beings that help there can lend their invisible wings to the unfortunate bugs that accidentally fall there.

Below this first level is another twilight level called agony, and the spirit that governs it is more indifferent than its neighbor above. Anyone who falls there must use all their strength and willpower to climb up to desolation in search of help. In agony, there are no helpers for anyone. So, if one does not give everything, it is probable that they will end up falling to the level below, called death.

The Reign of Darkness is governed by an elusive spirit that few souls claim to have known.

That level is a great mystery for those of us who are alive. However, there are many myths and stories of what it is like. Some say that that spirit crumbles the bodies of those who arrive there and lets their souls out on the other side of the abyss of nothingness, towards other unknown worlds. Others say that with the elements of the bodies that he undoes, the spirit creates the eggs that later mysteriously appear in the nests of the Prairie of childhood and that inside them he puts the souls of those bugs that he had left without a body. But never before have they slept in his kingdom long enough to have their memories and dreams confused and lingering as mere sensations.

One mythical version says that only specific bugs of great wisdom and supernatural power can keep their memory intact, on the condition that they overcome a series of terrible tests. If they succeed, the spirit of death gives them magical phoenix wings and grants them immortality. But nobody knows if this is true or just a legend,» concluded the fairy.

Destrouch sat up straight and, in a very grave tone, warned me: “Never even think about the possibility of leaning over the edge of that abyss because it is true that for the poor little bugs that fall there by accident or imprudence, the spirits that inhabit it may be pious and try to help them. But with those who fall there out of selfishness or stupidity, these beings don’t have the slightest consideration and, in the best of cases, will let the misfortunate bugs try to get out by their means. And I assure you that nothing is more difficult for a bug than getting out of the Abyss of Nothingness without anyone’s help!»

I felt weak and dizzy again, and holding on tightly to the branches, I turned around and stayed in silence for a long time, gazing at the horizon beyond the forest and contemplating the sunset. The sky darkened, and I saw the first star shine. I made a wish in silence. Then I told my new friends it was time to go home, or my parents would worry. Before we said goodbye, I asked them one last question: “Where does the forest of adolescence end? I can’t see an end to it!”

“Like this tree, that forest grows with each step you take until you no longer need it,» Hope replied. And Destrouch added, “And what lies beyond it will depend on the path you decide to travel, the feathers you find after each challenge overcome, and the wings that the spirit makes you with those feathers.”

With these words, they said goodbye, promising we would meet again in the forest when I decided to return that way.

They took flight blending in with the birds returning to their nests, while I descended from the tree, already almost in darkness. It took me less than five minutes to reach the ground but after all I had experienced, nothing surprised me any more. I ran home, where they were waiting for me, with dinner almost ready.

2. The prairie of childhood. 

During my childhood, we traveled through different regions of the prairie; and in those years, I discovered unique places where I interacted with various weird bugs of every species imaginable. I liked traveling with my family, although sometimes we went to places where they spoke languages I didn’t know, and this was not so much fun. Yet I was a quick learner, so soon, I made myself understood and could make new friends to play with. 

Then school days came, and though I didn’t like school very much at first because it made me nervous, I quickly got used to it, and I loved learning new things every day. Besides, while I was there with my classmates and teachers, I had some rest from my brother, who was still too young to come with me and had to stay in the nest with our Mom until he started going to kindergarten to play with little bugs his age. 

For a couple of years, my life went easy and happy until one day, our nest grownups began to talk about a move. We would live in a region south of the prairie called Patagonia. 

They were all excited about this plan, and so was I. But I was also worried about separating from my grandmother, who lived near our nest and would not move south with us. Neither did I fancy the idea of changing schools and leaving my friends behind. 

But they all had promised to visit me in my new home, and my parents also promised to bring us back to our old nest during the school holidays. They assured me my life would be much more amusing in our new place since my brother and I would enjoy greater freedom. And I believed them because they all described that southern place as paradise.

One summer, we visited the place where my parents would build our new nest, and it was spectacular! So when the time finally came for us to move there, I was both happy and sad. It was true that that place was much better than the previous one, and there I could ski and fish, two of my favorite hobbies. But on the other hand, I didn’t want to leave behind my grandmother, my friends, and my old school. 

We moved at the end of the summer, a few days before school started, and I could have never imagined I would be so happy that my younger brother started coming to school with me just that year. And yet, that’s how I felt: I didn’t feel so alone with him by my side, among all those strangers.

Shortly after we moved, relatives and friends from our old nest began to visit us, and little by little, I became used to my new home.

Behind the new nest, we had a vast garden, which soon I knew better than anyone. There was a stream with fish in it, and in my neighborhood, I could ride my bike with my friends, climb trees, and play, play, and play until we got bored. 

But I was growing up, and my parents gave me more and more chores to help around the house, and I didn’t like that as much. Although I knew they asked me to collaborate for my good so that I would learn to be responsible and self-sufficient, They used to repeat that soon, I too would be an adult and would have to take care of myself. 

In this new home, the arrival of several new members of the family took place. Our beautiful and intelligent puppy, whom we all loved from day one, was the first to arrive. We named her Modesty. 

Then, some cats arrived but stayed shortly, as they didn’t get along well with our neighbors’ dogs. Finally, two sister kittens came to stay. 

Many birds also came and went, but they lived free in our garden or the surroundings and visited us regularly. 

And, when I least expected it, not one, but TWO EGGS appeared in our new nest!!! 

Once again, everyone was happy with the great event. But I, who had already gone through that before and now knew very well what this implied, wasn’t so convinced that the arrival of two little bugs like my younger brother was something to be so thrilled about…

In any case, their arrival was a fact, and like the previous time, it was best to try to see the positive side of the matter.

However, it was more difficult for me this time. My parents’ “small jobs», homework, and the music lessons, were already enough work for me. I didn’t need to add more things to my daily list, like changing diapers, giving bottles, and babysitting my new siblings!

My witch aunt tried to reassure me by saying that I wouldn’t have to do any of it, that the baby bugs were my parents’ responsibility and not mine.

But what did she know? She didn’t live with us and only came to see us occasionally. 

The eggs cracked prematurely, so my parents rushed them to the hospital while my younger brother and I stayed with our carpenter uncle, who was just visiting us.

The babies were born too small, and we could not look after them in the nest.

When they took my younger brother and me to meet our new siblings, they were in a special room and we just saw them through a glass wall. They were so tiny, they looked like toy dolls! But they had a thin hose getting into their noses and seemed helpless. Seeing them so small and vulnerable, I felt sorry for them and wanted to protect them, and then I knew that I already loved them.

I was also worried for my Mom because when I saw her, she seemed to be sick. But since my brother was also scared, I tried to calm him down, just like Daddy tried to calm me down -even though I knew he was trying to hide his fears, too.

Despite the worry, we were all happy about the arrival of the twins, and very soon, the day came to bring them home. That day, my grandmother also came to visit, and although I felt too many contrasting emotions, I was happy that my new baby brother and sister were finally in the nest with us. 

Ah, but life has never been the same since then! Too many things were happening simultaneously, and I felt that not only my external world was transforming. Significant changes were also taking place inside me that I couldn’t understand or control.

Life had taken such a speed that I could not find the necessary time or tranquility to reflect on all these changes and order my ideas. In addition, with the babies’ arrival, my parents, although happy, were always tired and had little patience, and I felt they had almost no time left to pay much attention to me. 

Fortunately, my other grandmother soon came to stay for a long time, and along with her, my witch aunt also came, although she only stayed with us for a couple of days.

However, seeing that I was a bit tense, my aunt taught me some magic tricks to help me relax. And though while I did them with her, they seemed to work, once she left, I stopped practicing them that often. So, I was generally nervous and irritable.

Thank Goodness, my violin made me feel much better! 

The changes that were taking place inside me did not let up, and my mind felt like a roller coaster of emotions. One minute, I was thrilled, and the next minute, the most insignificant thing in the world could put me in such a bad mood that life became unbearable. Then, without knowing how or why, my lousy temper vanished, and I was well and happy again.

Other times, anger would take over me, and no matter how hard I tried to get rid of it, instead of going away, it would turn into an uncontrollable rage that left me exhausted and depressed. 

To make matters worse, it seemed that, instead of understanding me, my parents made fun of me, or scolded me unfairly many times, and I hated them when they did that! 

Well, it seemed that the carefree and joyous life in my childhood prairie was gone forever, and I felt alone and confused, as if lost in a dark forest without finding a path that would lead me back to the sunlight. The only thing that relieved me on those days was the company of my friends, for only they seemed to understand and remain loyal to me. 

Adults told me that I was already entering the Forest of Adolescence, but I didn’t know what they meant by that. I needed more and more of my own space and quiet to think, so I began wandering alone in the confines of the prairie, trying to collect my thoughts and get away from my parents’ mistreatment. Although they assured me they still loved me, they didn’t show it often, or at least I didn’t perceive it. 

Most of the time, everything was fine between my parents and me, and we were as happy as we used to be. But just as the warm days in the fall became increasingly rare, so the sunny days in the nest became less and less frequent, and most of the time, what I wanted most was to grow wings like those of adult bugs and fly as far as possible from the nest and be free. 

In those cold days of my adolescence, as the adults called it, I sought the solitude of the most remote corners of the prairie. Thus, I discovered that contrary to what I had always believed, it was not infinite but was surrounded by limits I sensed, sooner or later, I would have to cross. 

But how could I overcome them without having wings to fly over them? 

One day, after arguing with my parents, I walked away, thinking about how to grow my wings and be free. I wandered for a long time towards the forest, trying to find the answer to that dilemma in my mind, but everything seemed to be a useless effort.

I felt like a prisoner in that prairie, condemned to continue putting up with my parents for the rest of my life! 

Exhausted and frustrated, I sat under a tree and tried to reflect. But once again, the anger began to take over me, and I felt like the anguish was tying a lump in my throat. I tried to free myself of these ominous emotions by taking deep breaths and struggling not to get carried away by the negative thoughts that invaded my mind. But it didn’t seem to work as I suddenly felt my eyes well up with tears. 

I tried even harder to control myself, but all my efforts were in vain, and I couldn’t stop crying anymore. So, since I couldn’t help but cry, I decided to take advantage of the fact that I was alone to vent completely, and I cried with all the desire I had been accumulating. I released my frustration by screaming: «I want wings to escape from here! I want to be free!» I yelled over and over again until I calmed down. 

When my crying finally stopped, and I felt more relaxed, I heard a little bird fluttering among the lower branches of the tree under which I was sitting. I looked up but couldn’t see it, so I stood and walked around the tree.

Even though I could hear the bird flapping its wings, I couldn’t see it. I went around again, and since I no longer heard anything, I thought it was just a gust of wind and decided to move away. 

I had just taken a couple of steps when I heard that something was definitely moving among the leaves right behind my head. I examined the tree again, still unable to discover anything, and once more, I thought about leaving. 

But as if it had guessed my intention, the little bird flapped its wings harder to make it clear that it wasn’t the wind! 

«Are we playing hide and seek?» I asked out loud. 

And to my great surprise, a lovely and feeble voice answered me: «Yes, and I’m not going to let you find me just like that! If you want to see me, you must prove you deserve that privilege.» 

At first, I thought I was dreaming because after crying my heart out, I usually feel so tired that I often fall fast asleep. Therefore, it was very possible that I had fallen asleep under the tree and that this strange situation was just a dream. 

Anyway, I wanted to see that little bird that could talk. So, after going around the tree a few more times without discovering it, I decided to climb up and look for it among the branches. 

As I ascended, I felt the flapping so close to my head that I couldn’t understand why I didn’t see it. I climbed higher and higher, but the fluttering was always a little higher, forcing me to keep going. That tree had not seemed so tall to me when I was on the ground! Yet now, the higher I climbed, the taller it got; as if it grew as I climbed its branches…

 Already tired and feeling that frustration was taking over me again, I sat down to rest, starting to doubt that it was worth so much effort just to see that silly, talkative bird that had fun teasing me. «I’m sure when I get to the top of this tree, that little demon will fly before I can see him,» I thought angrily. 

And as if reading my mind, the feeble voice said: «In this magical world, there are plenty of miracles and incredible treasures. But they are reserved only for those who do not give up easily and persevere in their goals without being defeated by fatigue or fear of failure. Are you one of them? Or are you already thinking about crying, getting angry at the injustices of this world, and going home without having discovered me?» he asked. 

I got furious with that devilish bird and was about to curse and leave without answering his question. But then I thought that if it were just a dream, it wouldn’t hurt to keep trying until I woke up … So, I straightened up again and continued to climb with renewed enthusiasm.

I used all the energy of my rage to climb without pause to the top of that immense tree, no longer motivated so much by the desire to see the talking bird but by the need to prove to myself that, indeed, I was capable of reaching my goals and defeating the tiredness and my bad mood.

Seeing my determination, I suspected the tree would stop growing and allow me to access its top. So it was! As soon as I quit thinking about giving up, the branches grew thinner, and soon, my body emerged victorious from among the highest leaves, with just the immeasurable blue afternoon sky above my head. 

For a moment, I completely forgot about the little bird. The sight that unfolded before my eyes from up there left me stunned and intrigued by what I had just discovered: 

In front of me, to the north, an immense forest, to which I could not see the end, stretched out like a green sea of treetops that extended like waves to the horizon. 

To the east, the forest grew lower and lower, and sparse shrubs gradually replaced the trees until they faded in some dunes, flattening towards a wide beach bordering a beautiful ocean.

I noticed that, like the forest, the prairie of my childhood also turned into the beach that died in the sea.

The forest and prairie extended to the west to a high mountain range. Yet as my prairie reached these mountains undulating in gentle hills, the forest and the mountains were divided by a dense jungle to the northwest and a great desert of arid steppes to the southwest.

But when I turned to see what was to the south of my childhood prairie, what I saw caught me so off guard and made me so dizzy that I had to hold on tight to the branches and sit down again to keep from falling to the ground.

To the south, my prairie ended in an infinite dark abyss!