As they walked deeper into the forest, the sun began to set. There was a glimpse of a full moon in the sky.

"We better hurry; it’s getting kind of dark. I'm afraid I won't be able to find my way back. Now let's see," Sam said, looking around. "The tree should be straight up ahead."

They made their way up the hill. There was a light mist in the air. The sound of them pushing the weeds down while they walked echoed in the forest. Soon dusk began to set in. Sam spotted the tree from a distance. A figure was standing nearby, with its back to them.

"Howdy!" Sam called to the person as he got closer to the tree. The person just kept their back to Sam and Joey.

"Pa, why ain't they answering ya?"

"I ain't sure they can hear me."

"Howdy!" Sam called out again.

The person just stood still and did not turn around. Joey and Sam walked closer to the tree. Joey nervously reached up and held on to Sam's hand. Sam called out again, this time much louder:

"Howdy! I'm Sam," he said, slowly approaching the person who’s back was still to them. The butterflies flew all around the tree. Sam noticed that they were crawling all over the person's hat and clothes. It looked as if the figures hand was stretched out feeding the butterflies.

"Pa, what's he doing?" Joey whispered.

"I ain't sure son," Sam said, trying to see. "How do!" Sam called out again. The person still didn't respond.

"Joey, stay close to me."
Sam and Joey slowly walked up and stood behind the figure.

"Umm, it's a... It's a beautiful sight," Sam said, looking up at the tree. "I don't know if ya heard me before, but I'm Sam and this here is my boy Joey."

The person nodded their head as if they were saying hello, while still facing the tree.

                                               Copyright ©2000 Kimberly A.LaGrone-DeMarco

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