A young girl, the daughter of a king, lost her mother when she was very young. Her father is too busy, so she spends most of her time alone.
She is a princess … but doesn’t feel like one. Without a mother to show her how to be a woman, a princess, and eventually a queen, she spends her days hiding in the woods behind the castle, playing with the animals, afraid of who she is expected to become.
One rainy day, she is running in the woods. She slips, falls, hits her head, and is knocked unconscious.
She enters a dream-like state, in which she comes face-to-face with death. Death appears in the form of her mother, and she is not afraid. For the first time since her mother’s death, she feels safe.
My child
Though I cannot be with you
You have never been alone
The animals have seen you through
In these woods, you’re known
I know you often feel afraid
Do not ignore the porcupine
Her body full of quills was made
To keep her children fine
The bunny, known for multiplying
Keeps her babies close
She comforts them when they are crying
Their hearts have her engrossed
Miss Beaver doesn’t give a damn
Whose job it is to build
She works and sweats and builds the dam
Until the space is filled
Look high; look low
Look all around
There’s wisdom to be found
Don’t let your fears reside in tears
There’s history in these grounds
When baby birds are at their best
It's time; they must take flight
With a motherly nudge, they leave their nest
But freedom is found in the fight
The earthworms teach the best lessons of all
Grounded and flexible while small
They humble themselves under all as they crawl
And embody both genders with gall
The beautiful women of every species
Have taught you what I could not teach
There isn’t one way to show up as a “she”
Your heart this message must reach
Whenever I feel so far, far away
Remember I live in your heart
Look deep down inside where forever I’ll stay
And know we’re not so far apart
The young girl begins to feel the sun on her face. As the image of her mother fades, the girl regains consciousness. The rain has ceased. She opens her eyes, sees the Bird circling above her, free; the Beaver collecting sticks, working hard and providing; the Porcupine on the lookout, protecting; and the Bunny nestled next to her, comforting.
She begins to stand with a deeper knowledge of her true identity. She catches her reflection in a puddle of water and sees her mother there.
A rainbow leads her home.
Comments