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Karen had no time to think as she spotted the pack of stray dogs heading toward her. Quickly she dashed behind a cluster of bushes and shrubs, hoping the angry looking dogs hadn't seen her. She realized her only chance was the forest only a few strides behind her. He feet seemed to sprout wings as she headed directly into the dark woods. Her athletic legs, aching tired only a few moments before, now carried the frantic girl swiftly around bushes, over decaying logs, dead tree stumps, and through briars and brambles. On and on she ran, deeper and deeper into the thickening forest. Karen's fear of the dogs gave her renewed energy and strength every time she thought of stopping to rest. Had the pack spotted her as she dashed behind the bushes and shrubs? Worse yet, were they even now following her scent through the forest? Karen desperately hoped not, as these and other fearful thoughts raced through her mind.
Breathless after her desperate race to get away from the dogs, Karen now slowed to a rapid walk. She started to circle back to what she thought was the direction of the corn field and home, keeping a sharp lookout for the pack of wild dogs. By now her throat was beginning to burn with thirst. She also noticed a growing empty knot in her stomach. "It must be hours after lunch time" Karen thought as she trudged wearily through the thick underbrush and uneven forest floor. "Why did I ever start out on this foolhardy chase?" she asked herself, groaning audibly under her rapid breathing.
The farther Karen walked, the thicker the trees, brush, fallen limbs, and undergrowth seemed to become. She walked for some distance before she began realizing she must have headed in the wrong direction. The trees were beginning to cast dark and ghostly shadows all around her. Nettles and briars were tearing at her legs, making her wince at every step. Strange and inexplicable sounds filtered through the forest floor. It was all Karen could do to fight off feelings of desperation.
As Karen groped along in the growing darkness her mind wandered back to the comforts of her small country home. She thought of her fun-loving dad, who delighted in teasing her. He would have been home hours ago from the little community of Long Cliff where he worked. Karen treasured the time they spent together evenings. "Surely" she thought, hoping against hope, "he's found her tracks in the corn field, and is coming after her, even now."
She thought of her jovial mother and the delicious meals she prepared for the family. She thought of her little brother Edward. Karen was fond of calling him "E-D." Though he could be a real hand full for Karen to take care of, she sincerely loved her baby brother. She wished she could be home now to take care of him, to enjoy her mother's cooking, and to fend off her dad's teasing remarks.
"If I can only find that little creek!" Karen groaned as she continued to fight her way through the thick brush. "I could follow it to the corn field and find my way home." Karen knew the corn was planted in straight rows the length of the field. Once she found the field she could simply walk west to the road she lived on.
Karen's desperation was starting to turn to terror when she suddenly stumbled into a clearing in the dense forest. Though darkness was fast approaching, the clearing allowed enough light through to give Karen a sharp picture of what lay before her.
Beautiful ferns and violets were growing all about. A well-beaten path circled the little clearing. In the center of the clearing was a small, crystal-clear, spring-fed pool reflecting the trees and clouds in the sky. There was an eerie kind of surrealistic aura about the place. Karen was reminded of a special-effect Disney film she had once seen. A clean freshness seemed to fill the dim-lit area; the kind one might expect after a thunderstorm on a hot dry summer's day.
Close by her side Karen noticed some brambles loaded with wild black raspberries, and she gleefully picked several hands full, stuffing the sweet berries into her mouth. She hurriedly grabbed another big handful
before stepping hesitantly onto the well beaten path circling the pool of water. After a few more steps she found herself walking on a plush forest carpet of moss, leaves, and damp ferns. A dozen more steps and she was kneeling at the edge of the clear pool. She cupped her hands and drank deeply of the cool sweet water. "The best water I have ever tasted" the lost little girl told herself, with the hint of a smile lighting up her face.
Karen stepped back from the pond greatly refreshed.
She started to laugh in sheer delight, when suddenly she felt the earth tremble beneath her knees. Startled, she jumped quickly onto her feet. Now she felt and heard the definite rhythm of hoofbeats drumming the forest floor.
In an instant, the thick branches of several trees parted to reveal a magnificent great white stallion rearing high in the air, front legs pawing frantically, nostrils flaring and snorting. The animal's beautiful white mane tossed wildly about, and there in the middle of his bright shining forehead, a long elegant and straight horn pointed skyward. The unicorn had returned.
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