The Boy Who Was One with Nature

Fionn Pierre Nelson was never good at keeping secrets. Especially if he had one himself, because he loved to brag to his friends. There was just one thing.

His friends were wild animals. Literal wild animals.

Fionn trekked through the Alpernian forest, leaves crackling under his feet. This forest was right next to his little cabin, in the Alpernian village. He often visited here, and his parents weren’t suspicious of anything.

The pine trees emitted a fresh, strong scent. Fionn could see animal tracks flattening the ferns and grasses. He sighed. It was just so peaceful here, and he couldn’t imagine that anything dangerous would dare to enter.

A pitter-patter of soft paws made him turn. Petal, a chestnut brown rabbit, was hurtling toward him. Fionn bent down as she approached, stroking her coarse fur. The little animal was trembling in fear.

“Petal, what’s wrong?” he asked gently.

Petal panted, “It’s . . . a wolf! In the forest!”

Fionn jerked upright. Wolves of any kind would put all the forest creatures in danger! Enfolding Petal in his arms, he demanded, “Show me where it is.”

Petal sniffed the air. “Straight ahead!” Her eyes widened. “And coming right for us!”

Suddenly, the bushes in front of them gave way. Fionn froze. A gorgeous, pure white wolf with icy blue eyes stood in front of them. She had a glowing amulet around her neck, shining with a fierce amber color.

Fionn took a step back, but tensed as a voice murmured, “Don’t run away. I am not your enemy.”

Fionn stared in amazement. “Who . . . are you?”

“I am Shadow, protector of Alpernia,” the wolf replied telepathically. “I have news.” She blinked her cold eyes. “Lucy has taken over part of this forest.”

Fionn almost dropped Petal. Lucy Borgmann was a terrible girl. She had started to enslave animals and build up her domain.

He ordered, “Tell me what I can do!”

Shadow answered, “You must help me. Come with me, and stop this evil mind. Protect your sacred forest!”

Fionn nodded, and they raced off.

Credit to these Crowd Sorcerers: Bounty, age 12, for Fionn Pierre Nelson; Rosie D., age 14, for Shadow; and Puff the Magic Dragon of Honnah Lee for Lucy Borgmann.