Read Wildwood Dreams free: the opening chapter

The Whispering Wind

Leo’s tummy felt like a nest of fluttering birds. Tomorrow was the day. The day he had to stand in front of his class and talk about…rocks. Not even cool, sparkly rocks. Just plain, gray rocks he’d found in the garden.

He’d practiced with his mom, but his voice always sounded wobbly. And his hands? They shook like leaves in a storm. He wished he could just disappear. Instead, he found himself walking, further and further, past the last houses and into the trees. He hadn’t meant to go so deep, but the woods felt…quiet. Maybe quiet was good.

He kicked at a pinecone, sending it tumbling through the ferns. It didn’t really help. The fluttering in his tummy just kept going. He noticed two bright red balloons caught high in the branches of an old oak. They bobbed gently, tied to a thin string snagged on a twig. They looked a little lost, like him.

A gentle voice startled him. “Lost something, little one?”

Leo turned and saw a badger, sitting on a mossy stump, a steaming cup in his paws. The badger was older than anyone Leo had ever seen, with kind eyes and a neatly trimmed beard.

“Just…wandering,” Leo mumbled, looking at his shoes. He didn’t want to tell a badger about his rock presentation. It sounded silly.

“Wandering can be good for the soul,” the badger said with a warm smile. “I’m Old Man Tiber. And you are?”

“Leo.” He pointed to the balloons. “Those are stuck.”

“Indeed they are.” Old Man Tiber sipped his tea. “Sometimes things get tangled, don’t they? Just like our thoughts.” He set his cup down. “You seem a little…ruffled, Leo. Like a bird with damp feathers.”

Leo bit his lip. “I have to do a presentation tomorrow. And I’m scared I’ll mess it up.” He squeezed his hands into fists. He could feel the shaking starting again.

Old Man Tiber nodded slowly. “Ah. That familiar flutter. It feels like a trapped butterfly, doesn’t it? A quickening in your chest, a tightening in your throat.”

Leo’s eyes widened. That was exactly how it felt. He hadn’t known anyone else understood.

“It’s your body’s way of saying, ‘Pay attention! Something feels important!’” Old Man Tiber explained. “But sometimes, that attention gets a little…too big. A little overwhelming.”

“Here,” Old Man Tiber said, gesturing with a paw. “Let’s try something. Just sit with me, if you’re willing.”

Leo sat on a nearby log, trying to still his shaking legs.

“Now, close your eyes, if that feels comfortable.” Leo did as he was told. “And breathe in, slowly. Imagine you’re smelling the pine needles, the damp earth, the sweet wildflowers.”

Leo breathed in. The scent of the forest was lovely. He focused on the cool air filling his lungs.

“Good. Now, breathe out, slowly. Imagine you're gently blowing those red balloons, sending your worries up and away with them.”

Leo breathed out, picturing the balloons lifting higher and higher, carried by the breeze. He breathed in again, and out. With each breath, the fluttering in his tummy seemed to quiet down, just a little. His hands still trembled, but not as much.

“That’s it,” Old Man Tiber said softly. “Just slow, steady breaths. A little anchor in the storm.” He paused. “It doesn’t make the worries disappear, you know. But it gives you a little space around them. A little room to breathe.”

Leo kept breathing, focusing on the rise and fall of his chest. It wasn’t a perfect fix, but it felt…better. Much better. He opened his eyes.

Old Man Tiber smiled. "The Wildwood has a way of holding quiet spaces. But you carry that quiet with you, Leo. Inside yourself.” He glanced toward the tangled balloons. "Perhaps we can find a stick and gently coax those down later."

Just then, a flash of red fur darted past. Luna, a playful fox, skidded to a halt, a half-eaten berry dangling from her mouth. “Did someone say balloons? I’m excellent at reaching things!” She looked at Leo, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Though…sometimes I get a little carried away.”

The sample ends here.