Leela and the Forest of Light

by Lin Northrup

  Leela felt a bit foolish. “Deer told me when I face my fears, they begin to shrink.”

  “Deer was right. If you see past your fears, you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

  Just as Weasel was about to say more, the wind called her name. “Leela, Leela. It’s time to go.”

  She put on her sneakers. “I have to go now. I have to get to the canyon,” she said, hurrying on her way.

  A crow flew past her circling over a spot ahead. She followed it to a patch of wild strawberries. Her stomach churned in happy anticipation. Stuffing the juicy strawberries into her mouth, she picked some to take on her journey, but the more she picked, the more she dropped.

  “Eat only what will satisfy your hunger, Leela. There will be food when you need it. Hasn’t that happened every step of the way?” whispered a gentle voice.

  “Yes, but this might be a long journey.”

  “I’m an abundant earth. Trust me and you won’t go hungry.”

  Reassured, Leela took only a handful of strawberries and headed west walking for miles until the last rays of the sun went behind the hills. A mossy knoll beckoned her to stop and rest. Maybe her dreams would show her the way to the canyon. Drifting off to sleep, a shrill screech shattered the peace of the night. She bolted to her feet. Crunching leaves told her that whatever made that ghostly scream was moving closer.

  “In order to know whether I’m dangerous, go beneath the surface and feel my intent. Should you stay or run?”

  Leela expanded her senses. She could smell its breath, taste its fur, feel its whiskers. The leaves crunched a few feet behind her. It was some sort of cat. Was it Mountain Lion? No. It was smaller. She focused her mind. It felt as if she had claws, pointed ears and a tail.

  Without warning, the creature screamed again jolting her back into her body. A lynx jumped down from the rocks. The tufted ears and ruff about its face gave Lynx a regal appearance that commanded instant respect. Leela looked down at her hands expecting to see claws. It took her awhile to shake off the feeling that she had the body of a lynx. When she looked into the wild cat’s eyes, her heart told her Lynx was trustworthy.

  “I felt like I was you, Lynx.”

  “You have the ability to merge with animals and people to feel their true essence. But it’s a skill you must keep practicing, so you don’t merge so deeply that you lose your own form.”

  “What do you mean lose my own form? Would I disappear if I don’t do this right?”

  “When you merge your energy with another form, you have to maintain control so you can return to your physical body. If you merge with a dark energy it will try to keep you from going back because it wants your light.”

  Leela looked down at her hands again just to make sure they were normal.

  “You’ll find others like you who have this skill, but you’ll have to be careful. I’ll meet you at the top,” said Lynx, disappearing into the darkness.

  Leela climbed slowly still feeling lightheaded from merging with Lynx. In her dazed state, she kept stumbling and falling over rocks and roots of trees, but she could feel Lynx urging her on.

  “Sense where I am, Leela. Feel my claws. Become a lynx.”

  Leela closed her eyes and felt the energy of Lynx enter her body. She crouched low, her claw-like hands digging into the earth as she bounded up the rocky terrain. A wave of exhilaration swept over her at this sudden burst of strength. As the wind blew away the clouds, a shaft of moonlight lit the rocky ledge where Lynx sat watching her ascent.

  “I felt like I was you again,” she exclaimed, when she reached the top of the hill.

  The cat’s silence tempered her eagerness to ask questions, so she made a bed in the hollow between the rocks. Lynx moved closer knowing she needed warmth and rest for what she’d be facing. Despite her desire to talk to Lynx, Leela fell into a deep sleep.

  Her dreamtime was filled with a beautiful vision. Children were playing with all kinds of wild animals in a field filled with flowers. A tall woman, surrounded by a circle of shimmering light, walked across the field and gathered the children around her.

  “There’s a planet called Earth that’s been embroiled in strife for many eons,” she said. “You are the children who understand the laws of unity and when you go there you’ll bring forward a new way of life.”

  As the woman spoke, colorful sparks of light were streaming to earth and Leela knew the sparks were the children being born. Their luminous eyes and clear vision saw new possibilities. They rejected war for it had spun the earth into confusion and despair. Some of the children were mocked and told they were inferior by those who were holding onto the old energy of darkness and fear.

  Leela saw herself walking among the children. “Thank you for coming. Be strong and remember who you are.” The dream was so beautiful she started crying. As her tears slipped to the ground, a gurgling sound made her jump out of her dream.

  “I’m drowning and you’re daydreaming the day away as if you have nowhere to go,” sputtered an indignant ant. The plump black ant was sitting in the palm of her hand in a pool of her tears. Smiling at the tiny creature’s blustery outrage, she gently lifted it up so they could talk.

  “Leela you’re very close now. You’re only a breath away from your destination,” said Ant.

  What a strange thing to say, she thought, looking around for Lynx. “You all talk in riddles. I’m supposed to hurry. I’m supposed to wait. I’m supposed to be patient. What do you mean my destination is only a breath away?”

  Ant was silent.

  “Wait a minute. I’m trying to find the Canyon of the Four Winds. Aren’t most big canyons out west?” When Ant didn’t answer, Leela felt a stab of fear in her belly. What if she had lost her way? She didn’t really know where she was going. As the sky darkened, doubt clouded her heart. Everything she’d been taught was useless if she couldn’t trust her instincts. But everything changed so quickly here, she never knew what to expect.

  Without any further explanation, Ant crawled behind a rock. Fighting a growing panic, Leela ran down the hill forgetting to move like a lynx. She tripped twisting her ankle in the roots of a tree. “No, no,” she shouted, angry at her own clumsiness.

  Quickly peeling off her sock and sneaker, Leela watched in dismay as her throbbing ankle swelled. She wiggled her foot. It wasn’t broken, but a bad sprain would keep her from walking very far. Thunder rumbled and heavy dark clouds sent a drenching rain adding to her misery. She had to find shelter from the storm. Standing up to test her ankle, she cried out in pain. The slightest pressure was agonizing.

  “Think backwards. Go into your quiet space.”

  Soaking wet and desperate for relief, Leela did as she was told.

  “Think back to what you were doing before you twisted your ankle. Hold that moment in your mind for as long as you can. Picture every detail, hear every sound, feel every sensation.”

  Leela took three deep breaths and went back in time to her dream. The wonderful feeling of being in the field of flowers with the other children seeped into every cell of her body. She held onto that peaceful feeling, heard the woman’s gentle voice, smelled the wildflowers and envisioned every detail as if she were still there.

  When she opened her eyes, a fine mist hung in the air turning the pine trees into otherworldly beings. She looked at her ankle. The swelling was gone. Instinctively, she scooped up some soft, cool mud, rubbed it on her ankle and wiggled her foot in every direction. How could her ankle get better so fast?

  “What just happened?” she asked.

  “You shape-shifted time and sent the energy of healing into your ankle. The happiness you felt during the dream was full of love. By using your imagination, you brought that energy into your ankle. Love is powerful medicine and it helped speed up your healing.”

  “Can anybody do this? And who is speaking to me? Is it you, Fox?” she as
ked.

  “Leela, this voice is inside you. It’s your wise self. And yes, everyone can ask for the healing power of love.”

  Leela stood up marveling at the strength in her ankle. She ran around testing it, remembering how quickly doubt had shaken her confidence.

  “Leela, you become stronger every time you let the voice of your wise self help you. Be steadfast and keep going forward.”

  Raindrops dripped from pine branches and the brightening sky promised an afternoon sun. She kept thinking about Ant’s mysterious words, “Your destination is only a breath away.” It sounded so important, but didn’t make any sense.

  In her hurry to make up for lost time, Leela didn’t hear the cawing of Crow who flew above her. The ancient darkness, aware of the power of her light, was sending its forces to silence her.

  The animals watched as she journeyed toward her next challenge. The Tree Nation and Stone People kept their silent vigil. The Medicine Women who had given her the sacred feathers, gathered nearby.

  Leela followed a narrow trail shrouded with dense brush that led her into a deep ravine. As the silence closed around her, it felt like the earth had stopped breathing. The path forked. Should she go left? Or right?

  She put her arms around the nearest tree, pressing her cheeks against its rough bark, but was greeted with silence. The evening shadows crept into the ravine. She climbed onto a large rock and asked the Stone People which way to go. There was no response.

  Leela laid down to listen to the earth. She heard the river calling to her. Pushing aside the thick undergrowth, she headed toward the water. Prickly branches snagged her sweater so she had to keep stopping to free herself. The gnarled roots of trees along the edge of the water slowed her down.

  There was a splash downstream. The hairs on her arms prickled. An eerie stillness hung in the air. Was she being followed because she was getting close to the Canyon of the Four Winds? Why hadn’t Gray Wolf told her more?

  She scrambled back up the bank remembering his words. “You must travel alone to the Canyon of the Four Winds.” So whatever was out there couldn’t be Gray Wolf.

  Heavy clouds swallowed up the waning light of the setting sun. She smelled something, but it wasn’t the scent of her animal allies. Her instincts told her to run, but thorny bushes sprang up around her blocking the way.

  “Stop. Your panic has dimmed your good sense, Leela.”

  “Who’s speaking?” she asked, looking around.

  “A friend.”

  Leela crouched low like a cornered animal. “I don’t know you. Get away from me.”

  The night was split open by a chilling roar. Yellow eyes peered through the darkness. A black panther emerged from the shadows. The energy around the sleek cat was unlike any she’d ever felt.

  “Leela, why are you afraid of me? I’m here to help you. You’re lost, but I’ll guide you through this ravine,” said Panther.

  “Gray Wolf told me I’d be going alone on this journey. I don’t need your help.”

  “Leela, Gray Wolf wouldn’t send you on such a treacherous journey without an ally. I stayed hidden in the shadows to see if you trusted your instincts. They’re very keen. You’ve been well trained. And now that we’re introduced, you can relax. You’re looking for the Canyon of the Four Winds are you not?” asked Panther, circling around her.

  Leela turned to watch him. His eyes were mesmerizing, but when she looked into them she felt nauseous. “Don’t look into his eyes,” warned her inner voice. Before she could look away, a bolt of energy flew from his eyes knocking her to her knees. She tried to stand. He threw another bolt.

  “Stop!” she yelled, her head pounding from the pressure.

  Despite the warning, she looked at him again. This time his energy felt different. Softer. The pounding in her head left. She took a deep breath. Her legs were shaking, but she could stand up. The panther moved toward her. He didn’t feel threatening anymore.

  “Yes, Leela, now you feel my true essence. You’ve been taught to be careful of dark shapeshifters. It was wise of you to question me because you’re standing at the edge of a threshold. I was just testing you to see if you were ready to cross it. When you join with me, we’ll do great things to help the earth,” he said, in a pleasant voice.

  Torn between her instincts and Panther’s soothing words, Leela wavered. “What do you mean join with you?” she asked, still wary.

  “Take your time, Leela, to feel the truth of my words. I’m yours to command.”

  The pressure inside her head returned. She could feel him trying to bend her thoughts. Reeling from the pain, she closed her eyes and went into her heart. That infuriated Panther. He threw another bolt of dark energy slamming her to the ground.

  His eyes turned red. “It was a simple choice, Leela. I offered you power. Because you failed to accept my offer, I will destroy you and your vision for a new earth.”

  Backing away, Leela struggled to maintain control of her thoughts. She heard Mountain Lion’s voice. “Remember, Leela, the power is inside you.”

  “I will never follow you,” she shouted. Instantly, she was catapulted to a branch near the top of a giant sycamore tree.

  “That trick won’t help you,” snarled Panther. He flew to the end of the branch trapping her. “I can find you anywhere you go, foolish girl. You’re too weak to withstand my powers.”

  He moved in closer. She drew the veil of invisibility around her.

  “Two can play that game,” he said, turning himself into a mass of poisonous black smoke.

  Choking on the deadly fumes, she called upon the power of Eagle. The force of her energy field doubled sending sparks flying into the air. She flew to another tree.

  “I need your help Tree Nation.” A deep rumbling came from inside the tree. Branches broke off hitting Panther like spears. They ripped open a gaping wound in his side. Enraged, Panther threw his fury at the tree. It crashed to the ground.

  “Concentrate, Leela,” warned the tree. Or Panther will use your fear against you. Keep your focus.”

  Panther chased her from tree to tree anticipating every move she made as if he could read her mind. Maddened by her defiance, he created a double. If she escaped him, another black panther blocked her. Caught inside their force field, Leela felt herself growing weaker. Panther laughed as he drained the energy out of her body. “When I’m finished there will be nothing left of you or your dream. It ends here!”

  The forest creatures watched the battle praying Leela’s concentration would hold strong. Panther showed no mercy taunting her for thinking she could defeat him. He sent lightning into the tree tops turning them into fire balls.

  Heartbroken by the cries of the burning trees and screeching birds, she went inside herself to regain her strength. Dodging his bolts of lightning, she leaped to another tree. But wherever she went, more trees were set ablaze.

  “There’s no place you can hide. Give up, Leela or you’ll send this forest to its death,” warned Panther.

  Horrified at seeing the trees engulfed in flames, a sliver of fear entered her heart. She fell to the ground.

  “You’re no match for me,” hissed Panther, mocking her attempts to get up. “Join me now or I’ll throw you into a prison of darkness where no one will ever find you.”

  “I’ll never join you,” she shouted. “There are others like me. You’ll never win.”

  Panther moved closer baring his teeth, ready to strike. She backed away “What should I do?” she asked her heart.

  The face of Gray Wolf flashed before her. “You’re standing in front of your greatest adversary. This time it stalked you in the shape of a yellow-eyed panther. That dark force is fear and hatred. It takes many shapes and traps those who fall prey to its false words and promises. In this moment, in this time be fearless in your love for all life.”

  Emboldened by Gray Wolf’
s words, Leela stared straight into Panther’s cold eyes.

  “Breathe, Leela, breathe. See through your fear. Now!”

  She took a deep breath. When Panther lunged at her, she saw right through him as if he wasn’t even there. In that moment, he evaporated.

  In his place, stood Gray Wolf. “Welcome to the Canyon of the Four Winds.”

  The mist lifted. Leela’s eyes widened in disbelief. Before her was the most beautiful place she’d ever seen.

  Chapter 11

  The New Earth

  Mountains, trees, lakes and animals were bathed in a rainbow of colors that were as alive as the trees and creatures. Gray Wolf waited while Leela accustomed herself to the heightened vibrations of this dimension. Once her body adapted to the lighter energy, she would feel at home in this world.

  Leela didn’t dare speak in case this was a dream. She didn’t want to be transported back into the thick fog where the panther waited.

  “This isn’t a dream, Leela,” said Gray Wolf. “This is the world that was left behind when humans forgot their bond with all creation. It now waits for them to remember.”

  Leela was so entranced by the pulsating colors that surrounded every bush, tree and animal, she barely heard his words. Her whole body tingled with excitement.

  “I feel like I know this place, like it’s a memory inside of me,” she whispered.

  “All humans hold this place in their hearts. Young children see this world of beauty and light, but they are soon taught to forget,” said Gray Wolf.

  Leela looked out over the vast herds of animals grazing on the fields below. They all moved peacefully among each other without any fear.

  “They feel your love,” said Gray Wolf.

  “I don’t know why my world can be so cruel to animals. They hunt wild animals for trophies and destroy the forests where they live. They make dogs fight each other and bet on who wins.”

  Gray Wolf looked at her. “In the new earth, humans and animals will live in harmony again.”