"Grandfather, where are we going today?"
"We are following the path Mikel,"
"But where does it lead? We've gone on a thousand walks and you always answer me the same. What is the path and why does it feel stronger in some places?"
Grandfather smiles at the questions. These walks are so enjoyable because of his grandson's endless curiosity, always asking for names of destinations,
details on how we'll arrive, requests for directions.
"Alright Mikel, if you really must know where we are going today,
you must close your eyes and continue walking."
"But grandfather I will not be able to see where I am going,
I'm not very good at walking with my eyes closed.
Remember how I fell in the river last spring."
"I remember. You simply were not watching where you were going.
There is a difference between closing your eyes and not watching."
Mikel closes his eyes slowly following the trail beside the river.
After only a few steps he feels a tree branch brushing his ankle.
Opening his eyes he scans the ground for the branch,
but there is nothing there.
"Why did you open your eyes?
There is no branch rubbing against your leg."
"How did you know I thought there was a branch grandfather?"
"Your thoughts are out there in the open, child, they are easy to read.
"Now I want you to close your eyes and breathe through your nose.
Feel your toes sink into the ground. The trees are calling you,
so this morning we are trees.
"Imagine your toes spreading beneath the soil like roots.
Drink in fresh water to strengthen your trunk.
"Let your hands sink beside you until you feel the sun on your face.
Feel its warmth run deep through you.
As it combines with the water, you will feel magic occur.
Allow your arms and hands to move where they will
remembering they are your branches filling with leaves."
Mikel follows the directions his grandfather gives.
The feeling his grandfather calls magic is amazing.
He begins feeling the glow spread through his body to his fingertips.
He connects with everything in the forest.
Seasons cycle past in the blink of his eyes.
His glow feels stronger as he listens to his grandfather's voice
whispering instructions. His eyes begin to open.
"Where are we going?" he tries to ask,
but the wind hushes his thoughts.
His arms sway and Mikel feels magic all around.
It's as if his fingers have intertwined with all the trees of the forest.
Powerfully, he stands drinking the water through his toes
listening to the river.
In the distance, Mikel hears voices different than his grandfathers.
He realizes they are approaching.
He tries to lift his eyelids to see who it is.
He can barely make out the shape of what looks to be a boy and his father.
There is laughter in their voices.
"Manke naa lye autien?" he says
and the little boy looks right at him.
He feels as if he is looking into a mirror.
A smile greets him.
"We are following the path Mikel,"
"But where does it lead? We've gone on a thousand walks and you always answer me the same. What is the path and why does it feel stronger in some places?"
Grandfather smiles at the questions. These walks are so enjoyable because of his grandson's endless curiosity, always asking for names of destinations,
details on how we'll arrive, requests for directions.
"Alright Mikel, if you really must know where we are going today,
you must close your eyes and continue walking."
"But grandfather I will not be able to see where I am going,
I'm not very good at walking with my eyes closed.
Remember how I fell in the river last spring."
"I remember. You simply were not watching where you were going.
There is a difference between closing your eyes and not watching."
Mikel closes his eyes slowly following the trail beside the river.
After only a few steps he feels a tree branch brushing his ankle.
Opening his eyes he scans the ground for the branch,
but there is nothing there.
"Why did you open your eyes?
There is no branch rubbing against your leg."
"How did you know I thought there was a branch grandfather?"
"Your thoughts are out there in the open, child, they are easy to read.
"Now I want you to close your eyes and breathe through your nose.
Feel your toes sink into the ground. The trees are calling you,
so this morning we are trees.
"Imagine your toes spreading beneath the soil like roots.
Drink in fresh water to strengthen your trunk.
"Let your hands sink beside you until you feel the sun on your face.
Feel its warmth run deep through you.
As it combines with the water, you will feel magic occur.
Allow your arms and hands to move where they will
remembering they are your branches filling with leaves."
Mikel follows the directions his grandfather gives.
The feeling his grandfather calls magic is amazing.
He begins feeling the glow spread through his body to his fingertips.
He connects with everything in the forest.
Seasons cycle past in the blink of his eyes.
His glow feels stronger as he listens to his grandfather's voice
whispering instructions. His eyes begin to open.
"Where are we going?" he tries to ask,
but the wind hushes his thoughts.
His arms sway and Mikel feels magic all around.
It's as if his fingers have intertwined with all the trees of the forest.
Powerfully, he stands drinking the water through his toes
listening to the river.
In the distance, Mikel hears voices different than his grandfathers.
He realizes they are approaching.
He tries to lift his eyelids to see who it is.
He can barely make out the shape of what looks to be a boy and his father.
There is laughter in their voices.
"Manke naa lye autien?" he says
and the little boy looks right at him.
He feels as if he is looking into a mirror.
A smile greets him.
thank you elves of the grey-company organization for translation
