At the edge of the autumn wood, a little girl paused beneath the arch of trees, where golden leaves whispered of secrets and mushrooms glowed like lanterns to light the path ahead. A squirrel, bold and curious, scurried close as if to greet her, its tiny eyes shining with questions. She felt the hush of the forest settle around her like a welcome, for this was no strange place to her—it was home, alive with promise, and waiting for her to step deeper into its quiet magic.
