In the cool and quiet of the shortening days, Lord Frost has covered the fields and forest in a thick coat of white, and the Green Sister has lain down to sleep the long winter through. I too am feeling a bit tired, dear reader, but how lovely it is to sit in my warm cottage and watch the snow fall as I rest for just a moment to share with you some of the little happenings from these past days. It has already been quite an eventful beginning of the season, and the Feast of Wysolice is fast approaching. Lettie and Peter have invited Auntie Ember and me to celebrate with them at the house of Peter’s parents. It is a most generous offer, but well, I’m not sure I’ll be up for a trip back to Larksville with how I have been feeling today… lightheaded, slow and achy, even as I have tried to finish my chores and begin working on holiday gifts. A little rest was in order; so now, as I sit and watch the snow, I ponder over the unusual little encounter I had in the forest a few days ago.
I was out for a stroll in the afternoon when only a small layer of frost covered the browning leaves of the forest floor. I so enjoy the crunching of ice beneath my boots, and I meandered from one trunk to another, admiring the crystal patterns that had formed over the scratchy roots of the trees I have come to know and love. Everything was beautiful but, goodness, oh so cold, and I knew it wouldn’t be wise to stay out for long. It was as I made up my mind to turn back home that I heard a sound: bells? Not loud like something from a tower, but light and tinkling like from a sleigh. I stopped, listened, and heard it again not far off from where I was. So, my curiosity getting the better of me, I made my way deeper into the woods, towards the sound.
Caught in a thorn bush was a goat, and its woolly coat was pure gold! Goodness, it took me a moment to realize it was no ordinary creature, but when I saw its fleece glittering in the flecks of sunlight, I knew it must be one of the forest’s many secret dwellers. I wondered what Lorenz would have thought of this animal as I moved in closer. The poor thing had got its big horns tangled in the knotted branches and was furiously shaking, trying to loosen their grasp. As it did, I noticed the tiny golden bells jingling on what looked to be a little red bridle fastened about its head, and oh how strange, it even had long braids hanging behind its fluffy ears. Who or what, I wondered, could be small enough to ride this creature, and more than that, tend it so lovingly as to braid its long wool. I did not think on it long, however, for the sad goat was still trying to free itself and I feared that if I did not hurry it might do itself some harm.
I put my hand upon the goat’s back and shushed it like a small child. Its fleece was soft and warm, and the creature stilled almost the instant I touched its coat. Carefully, I reached my hands into the briar and took hold of the horns, gently pulling this way and that, avoiding the large thorns, and protecting the wide eyes of the animal until finally we were both clear of the twisting branches. Now free of the bush, it shook merrily causing its golden, curly braids to flash, bells dancing around it. Then the goat turned and bounded off, only pausing once to look back at me for an instant.
Oh goodness, such a peculiar animal and a peculiar meeting! Dear reader, after more than a year of exploring the woods and seeing some of its magic, I can’t say I’m entirely surprised to have met this goat. Nonetheless, the awe never leaves me. And it gives me something sweet to think of as I get back to my chores. I hope the silly, golden goat is able to keep free of thorn bushes from now on, and who knows, maybe it has reunited with its tiny rider somewhere in the forest.