The rain fell without warning, dimming the forest
and sending the motes of light drifting down fast.

Ari and Pim ran between the trunks,
raising nut-shell caps to catch each glimmer
before the water could wash it away.

The forest roof was so close tonight,
all the treetops cuddled together.

Maybe that’s why Ari noticed the strand of glowing motes slipping between them,
floating off like a shy little tale.

He didn’t know where it led.
But he knew he had to go.