I awoke in the forest.

Not a forest... THE forest. The forest with sun, trees, and birds everywhere. The forest with flowers whispering in the wind, where and butterflies chased each other with reckless abandon. My eyes could barely take it all in, the world was so big, so vivid! Slowly, as my eyes adjusted, a tall blurry shape took the form of a tree. So transfixed was I by this site, I didn't even realize I was inching toward it. My long, spindly legs unfolded on their own accord, bearing my weight for the first time. Of course, they gave way the first time, and the second... On the third attempt, they held.

Everything was quiet and peaceful, allowing me the time I needed to understand myself a little more. I had 4 legs, could walk, stop and lay down. If I pushed myself a little harder, my feet would carry me swiftly in any direction! But I was prone to falling on my face when stopping.

A friendly rabbit led me through the quiet thicket, until we exited the trees to see a truly breathtaking sight. Water, so much water! The lake shimmered and seemed to go on forever, hypnotizing me with its rippling surface. I stepped forward...

And suddenly the shore was alive! A flash of orange and black stopped me in my tracks as a doe darted past, disappearing into the water with a splash. Startled, I reared back and dashed into the forest, running for my life. There were so many colors and sounds, I didn't know what to do!

My headlong dash was brought to a halt by a sudden collision. With the sound of a distant storm, an older deer whispered his greeting. He was a tall, dark stag whose antlers were adorned with glimmering candles, whose eyes told me nothing and everything at once. When he bowed, I followed suit, learning and growing from that moment on.

With a regal nod, turned into the woods, bidding me to follow.

I did.