Hide and seak

Her mother took her to the forest, believing that if she gave the changeling back they fay might return their real daughter. She took her right towards the centre, near the ancient oak tree that was (unknown to her) the home of the Dryad that was Elsie’s ancestor.

“Let’s pay hide and seek.” Her mother suggested as she covered her eyes and counted to 100.

Elsie ran off and hid inside the oak tree, covering her bright red hair with her green hood, so it didn’t stand out. Her mother’s voice got further and further away but she heard her shout, “Ready or not, here I come.” Elsie stayed still and silent. She occupied herself counting, in her head, the different birds whose songs she could hear. She didn’t have a watch and the counting made her lose track of the time. She was so proud of her hiding place. She had counted all 37 woodland birds and moved on to counting the creepy crawlies that scurried over the bark of the tree. She must have found a really good spot, she couldn’t hear her mother at all. She had stayed still, counting in her head for so long that rabbits and deer came out of hiding and into the grove. It was getting dark. The game was no longer fun.

“HERE I AM!” Elsie shouted as she jumped out of the tree and the wildlife scattered. She kept shouting as she searched for her mother. When it got too dark to see properly she returned to the tree crying. Her teacher had told her that if she ever got lost, it was best to stay where she was, as long as it was visible and wait to be rescued.

She cried and cried until she could no longer. A deer had come up to investigate her. The Deer lay down beside the child, sharing its warmth as they both fell asleep in the nook of the tree.