Narrator: Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Annalise, who lived in a small cottage near a wood. She loved watching birds come to her window every morning, but she had never gone into the woods. The shadows, even though they were cast by the adorable squirrels, somehow seemed a bit ominous. But one day, she couldn't bear her curiosity any longer. Annalise: Even though it seems a bit scary, I need to know what's in there. Narrator: And with that, she went on her way, down the winding path into the wood. Narrator: When she entered, the trees seemed to close behind her. But, even with her uncertain steps, she kept going. As she made her way further into the woods, more and more animals scampered into view. Deer and fawns chewed leaves, squirrels dove in and out of trees, rabbits nibbled on clover, and even a peacock walked about. Annalise: (astonished) Magical… Narrator: As she looked around, she thought she even saw a unicorn through the trees. Annalise continued further in, and after a bit she came into a clearing. At first everything seemed normal, but then, everything started coming alive. An oak and an ash tree formed into the shape of small nymphs, tree leaves turned into little sprites, flower buds turned into faeries, grass stalks turned into pixies, a tree trunk turned into a brownie, and strangest of all, the mushrooms grew, and started to walk about! Annalise: Well, I wasn't expecting there to be bouncing mushrooms in the forest — Holly: (calm) I see you lurking in the trees there, come on out! Narrator: Annalise reluctantly stepped into the clearing. She hadn't expected them to notice her, even though it had seemed like her presence had awakened them. Holly: Who might you be? Annalise: My name is Annalise. Holly: I am Holly, and I'm a brownie. We are a group of magic forest creatures. Astra: My name is Astra, and I'm a meliae - an ash tree nymph. Phoebe: (genuinely happy) I'm Phoebe, and I'm a dryad, an oak tree nymph! Florian: My name's Florian, and I'm a faerie. Fayetta: I'm Fayetta, and me and Florian are cousins. Narrator: Next, the pixies entered. Venus: I'm Venus. Trillyan: I'm Trillyan. Sprig: I'm Sprig. Narrator: Then, the little bouncing mushrooms approached. Venus: Those are enchanted mushrooms. Trillyan: Their names are Petunia, Evergreen, and Sprout. Petunia: (excited) Hello! Evergreen: (excited) Hi! Sprout: (excited) Ahoy! Sprig: They like to hop everywhere, and help us water the plants. Petunia: Welcome! Evergreen: We love visitors! Sprout: Tell us if you need anything! Berri, Blossom, Bud: (in unison) Hello! Berri: We're tree sprites. Blossom: We live in maple trees! Bud: Our names are: Berri: - Berri, Blossom: - Blossom, Bud: - and Bud. Narrator: From behind a persimmon tree, a small fox-like creature timidly approached. Holly: That's Star, a kitsune. Astra: Kitsunes are mythical foxes with nine tails. Phoebe: Star's a bit shy to newcomers, but she'll warm up in time. Holly: So, what brings you here? Annalise: I live just outside this forest, and I had always wondered what it was like here. Holly: Well…we're glad you came. Annalise: Is something wrong? Florian: A few weeks ago, a strange stone appeared on the trunk of a tree. Fayetta: It had an iridescent glow around it. Astra: Ever since it appeared there, the trees haven't felt the same, and no one has been able to exit the forest. Phoebe: We think that you might be able to break the spell. Annalise: Me? Holly: Star seems to think so. Narrator: The kitsune then walked past Annalise, and disappeared into the cluster of trees. Fayetta: Follow her. Narrator: Annalise followed the kitsune back out of the clearing. Star came to a tree, then stopped and looked at Annalise. She looked up at the trunk of the tree. It had a stone on its trunk. Annalise: What could have caused this? Narrator: Star hung her head, then reached up and touched her paw to the stone. Her nine tails glowed gold, and then Annalise heard a strange voice in her head. Star: I'm sorry… I caused this. I've always wanted to meet a human. Before this stone was here, we could only get out, but no one could get in. Now it's the opposite, but it needs to be both – anyone can enter and anyone can leave. And we need your help. Annalise: My help? Star: Yes. We need magic from both sides. Annalise: (confused) But I'm not magic… Star: In the forest, you are. We need to combine the magic into the stone. Annalise: And how do we do that? Star: Touch the stone, and then try to send the tingles into it. Narrator: Annalise stepped forward and touched the stone. The tree glowed, then green light exploded out of the tree and then settled over the forest. Star took the stone off the tree, and then handed it to Annalise. Star: Take this. It will let you talk to the other woodland creatures, like the bunnies, squirrels and deer. Annalise: Thank you! Narrator: With that, Star scurried back into the trees, and Annalise headed home, back to her cozy cottage.
Cast of Characters - Narrator Annalise Pixie - Venus Pixie - Trillyan Pixie - Sprig Tree Sprite - Berri Tree Sprite - Blossom Tree Sprite - Bud Faerie - Florian Faerie - Fayetta Dryad - Phoebe Meliae - Astra Brownie - Holly Enchanted Mushroom - Petunia Enchanted Mushroom - Evergreen Enchanted Mushroom - Sprout (roll taken) Kitsune - Star
