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In the late-afternoon forest edge, towering dark pines loom over Malani Jay. She stands outdoors clutching a small red backpack against her chest, soft sunlight glowing through distant branches.
Malani Jay stood by the tall trees. The forest looked very dark and big. She gripped her small backpack tight. "I can do this," she whispered softly.
Deeper inside the dim forest path, dappled evening light flickers between leaves. Malani Jay lowers one sneaker onto a carpet of dry leaves that crunch beneath her, shadows twisting ahead.
She took her first step inside. The leaves crunched loudly under her shoes. Shadows danced on the path ahead. Malani took a deep breath and walked.
Under the shadowy canopy, bluish moonlight filters down as a small owl perches high on a branch. Malani Jay stands at the trunk, head tilted back and eyes wide, her mouth forming a startled question.
Suddenly, a loud hoot echoed above. "Who is there?" Malani asked, her voice shaking. High up, a little owl looked down. It was just a bird.
On a winding, narrow forest trail between gnarled roots, dusk light fades to cool grey. Malani Jay waves up toward the departing owl, her other hand steadying the backpack as she continues forward.
Malani waved at the owl and walked on. The path became twisty and narrow. She remembered her mommy's words. "Be brave, my little star," she thought.
Deep inside the forest tunnel where interlaced branches block the sun, the scene looks almost nighttime. Malani Jay walks between closely spaced trunks, faint bluish gloom surrounding her, one hand touching rough bark for balance.
The trees grew closer together, blocking the sun. It felt like night time already. "It is okay to be scared," Malani said. She kept walking anyway.
At a mossy clearing lit by scattered sunbeams, a tiny squirrel perches on a fallen log. Malani Jay giggles, pausing mid-step as the squirrel twitches its nose at her, backpack swinging against her small frame.
Something fuzzy ran across her toes. Malani giggled, feeling surprised. A tiny squirrel sat on a log. It twitched its nose at her.
Along a narrow ridge inside the forest, gusting wind rattles high branches, scattering leaves in the overcast afternoon. Malani Jay marches forward with stiff, determined posture, jacket zipped tight around her chin, hair whipping sideways.
The wind blew through the branches. Whoosh, whoosh! It sounded like a giant sigh. Malani pulled her jacket closer. She marched like a soldier.
In a deep, shadow-filled hollow, late-day light barely reaches the damp forest floor. Malani Jay leans on her knees beside a fallen branch, sweat on her brow yet eyes fixed on the distant path.
Her legs felt very tired now. The forest seemed to go on forever. Malani wanted to sit and cry. But she knew she must keep going.
Between parting trunks, a faint silvery sparkle glows at the end of the narrowing corridor. Malani Jay hurries forward, ponytail streaming, one foot lifted mid-stride toward the light while branches frame the scene.
Up ahead, she saw a sparkle. Was it the end of the woods? Malani walked faster towards the light. The trees started to open up.
At the forest’s edge, bright midday sun bursts through leaves onto a wide green meadow dotted with wildflowers. Malani Jay steps from deep shade into full light, arms spread in relief, shadows retreating behind her.
The sun poked through the leaves. The dark shadows melted away quickly. Malani felt a smile grow big. She stepped out into a bright green meadow.
In the sunny meadow, warm golden air shimmers while birds perched on nearby reeds sing brightly. Malani Jay stands center field, hands on hips, smiling confidently with the forest wall dark behind her.
The air was warm and sweet. Birds sang a happy song for her. She had made it through the dark alone. Malani felt very strong.
At the meadow rim near a lone flowering shrub, late-afternoon sun casts long shadows across grass. Malani Jay faces the dark tree line, chin lifted and nodding slightly, her small backpack resting at her feet.
Malani Jay knew things were hard sometimes. But she was a brave girl. She looked back at the forest and nodded. She was ready for anything.
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