Magical Forest
(cc flickr photo by Etolane)

Shouts of “Hey, Genesis!” followed by a witty comment surrounded Genesis Katidad until Ms. Glitch called everyone into the schoolhouse for history. Genesis hated her name being teased and history. The history of Anaywia was very boring. Usually Genesis doodled in the dirt around her pillow seat and tuned out of Ms. Glitch’s lecture, but today the words “magical forest” brought her attention to the front of the class. Ms. Glitch was talking about the powers of the forest.

“One must travel through three different obstacles to get to the heart of the forest, where he or she must have a key acquired during the journey to unlock the secret powers of the forest.” Genesis was listening now, but Ms. Glitch concluded, “ Tomorrow is the last day of school as you know,” The room erupted in cheers. After she had quieted them down she continued, “So during the summer vacation you need to study all this history, because we will have a test after summer vacation is over. Class is dismissed.” The room cleared quickly. Genesis hurried home.

At dinner that night, Genesis couldn’t take her mind off of the magical forest. So she mentioned it to her parents. “Mama, Papa,” she started, “I want to go through the magical forest,” she blurted out. Her parents laughed. “Maybe someday, Genny,” her mother chuckled.

Genesis knew that her parents would never let her go out alone, so late at night, when everyone was asleep, she packed a small drawstring bag, snuck out of the house after telling her pet bird, Chicho, goodbye, and ventured into the magical forest. She passed the lake that Papa brought her to, to swim in sometimes. She passed the tree where she used to climb to write in her journal. Finally, she came to the place where Papa told her never to go past, the Golden Gate. Genesis knew that this was the first of the three obstacles. Now she just had to figure out how to get through the gate.

She spotted a keyhole, so she searched and searched for a key. Suddenly, up in the treetops, something glittered!  

[Continued in Part 2]