How This Came Together
In Path of the Willow, a young girl awakens on Christmas morning eager for gifts, but instead finds a mysterious red thread. Rather than leading her to toys or treats, it guides her through a closet and into an enchanted forest. What begins as a joyful morning quickly transforms into a magical journey across snow-covered landscapes, where each step tests her courage and heart. In a world where animals speak and ancient magic sleeps beneath the snow, she must search her soul to discover her true self.
This is a heartwarming fantasy tale, that blends Christmas wonder with a classic fairy tale twist. With a rich sliver of a magical world and timeless tropes of courage, belief, and kindness, this tale is perfect for dreamers of all ages.
Whether you’re a fan of fantasy’s featuring portals to strange worlds, a Christmas adventure, or stories where magic and meaning intertwine, this short story invites you to rediscover the power of belief and the strength hidden within quiet hearts. It’s ideal for anyone who believes that bravery isn’t about size, but choice.
As I revisit older stories, I’m reminded of how little I documented their creative journey. While memory can be a good hiding place for ideas, it’s not the most reliable archive of such details. Thankfully, I was able to recover the core of this tale and polish it into something that feels true to its spirit.
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Getting it Wrong Vol. 1 Check – a collection of comedic poems featuring Sebastian and Jimmy.
Excerpt of Path of the Willow
Once upon a time, a young girl woke on Christmas morning, a broad grin stretching across her face as she bolted from her bed. She flew down the stairs, stopping before the glittering Christmas tree. The little girl ignored the presents under the tree, locking her gaze on the hanging stockings packed with goodies. She picked up her stocking and found a thread trailing from its edge into a nearby closet.
She eased the door open and followed the thread inside. Her intuition told her she’d reach the opposite wall, but the space stretched on, as if no end existed. Her mind was befuddled when her foot stepped into a puddle. She kneeled and confirmed the water was real. A brush of fabric against her skin accompanied her failed search for the door upon turning. The girl kept the fiber in her grasp as she found a coat, pants, and boots that fit.
When she dressed, she continued to follow the thread until she could see light breaking through the thickening darkness. That light drove her forward, and as she pushed through the darkness, her eyes were shocked by the bright sun. Once accustomed to the brightness, she discovered she was in a wondrous forest clearing. Snow fell around her, and she lifted her hand, inspecting the falling snowflakes. She was so obsessed with the snow that she didn’t notice the small bird on her shoulder until the animal spoke. “Hello, little one.”
The girl yelped, jumping backward, then turned to find who spoke, latching onto a little-winged creature. “Who are you?”
“I’m your guide,” the little creature said between its warbles and trills.
“My what?” The child asked, her hands pressed to her cheeks as her massive eyes studied the creature.
The bird tilted its head and chirped before declaring, “You’re here to save the forest.”
“What?! You must have me confused with someone else. I’m just a child.”
“Come, the wise one will answer your questions,” the bird answered as it leapt from her shoulder.
Despite the unease within her, the girl forced herself to follow her guide to the wise one. When they reached a cave, the bird landed upon her shoulder. The girl drew on a strength she hadn’t known she possessed and explored the cave until she found the wise one. She hadn’t expected another animal, yet there lay an enormous snow-white wolf with large streaks of gray peppered about it. The girl halted, but with a gentle squeeze from the bird’s claws, she inched forward.
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Have a wonderful day my friends!