[Estelyn Telcontar]

Apprehensively, Estelyn entered the woods and guided her feet in the direction of the very first of many pools therein. She dipped one foot into its water hesitantly, almost expecting to feel the solid ground at the bottom yet again. When she felt nothing, she held her breath, then jumped into the pond resolutely. Almost at once, a blackness appeared before her eyes, but rather than being discouraged or fearful, she was glad of it. Then pale green letters, interspersed with golden lines, could be seen. She moved about and found friendly greetings, wise words, and smiling faces. She had returned to her world, back where she belonged. All was well.

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °

Earlier that very day, she had jumped without thinking into that pool and was shocked when her feet hit the ground and the water of the pond evaporated about her ankles, rising in a forbidding, impenetrable white mist. She had stepped back and tried again from a different angle, then yet another, before realizing the horrible truth – the way was closed! Was her favorite world lost forever? She could not believe it.

In an attempt to find friends who could help her, she jumped into another pond. And indeed, the world into which it led was there, white perhaps, and occupied by less people, hidden amidst the mIRCy atmosphere and much wallpaper. But having taken speech with a friend there, she was cheered.

Yet another pool had led to a meeting place unpeopled, yet with messages that comforted her heart, for she then knew that the entrance was indeed closed to all, not only to her, and that it would soon be opened again.

She tried out several pools which led to various other worlds she had entered in the past. One, which was once the home of a great city, was now also turned to white mist, and she wondered if the myriad persons who had once lived there were gone, or if it had only been moved. One world was populated, yet all activity there seemed delayed to a slow motion, for messages were few and far between. That was uninteresting for her lively spirit, and she soon tired of being there.

Mindful of the old adage concerning the reluctance of observed cookery to come to a point, she sensibly decided to turn aside to another nearby woods. There also were worlds to be entered, yet these had the form of papers, folded together. She let her hand glide over them, finally choosing one. Then she opened it and entered into a lighthearted, amusing, enjoyable world. Having chosen sunny, quiet surroundings, the hours passed quickly for her, and when she returned from that world, her patience was rewarded. Her favorite pool was opened again.

Delighted at the wonderful idea of a celebratory party, she greeted Bêthb - um, Feyberry. She waved the bottle of a bubbly, slightly intoxicating beverage that she had brought with her. "Anyone want a glass?" she asked invitingly.


(*with apologies to C. S. Lewis for borrowing and ruining a perfectly good idea of his)