Irma held her breath as she gazed at the enormous creature before her. Its antlers stretched like tree branches, and tiny mushrooms grew among the moss draped over its body. It was as though a piece of the forest had come to life. But there was nothing frightening in its great, gentle eyes. The creature slowly lowered its head. Irma knelt and reached out, resting her hand softly on its nose. It felt cool beneath her fingers, but its breath was warm. “Can you… understand me?” she whispered. “I can, little traveler.” Its voice was so deep that Irma felt it humming beneath her palm. “I am Eldorin, the Guardian of Lumera.” Keeping her hand on his nose, Irma glanced around. “Is that what this forest is called? Lumera?” Eldorin nodded, rustling the leaves in his antlers. “And what is your name?” “Irma.” Saying her own name suddenly made her think of home. Her room. Her desk. The drawing she had left unfinished. A small lump rose in her throat. “I don’t really understand how I got here,” she continued. “My friends were with me, but now I can’t find them. I’ve looked everywhere and called their names… No one answered.” Eldorin listened quietly. “I can’t leave them here,” Irma said. “But I want to go home, too. Everyone must be wondering where I am.” The last words came out in a whisper. The guardian leaned closer and gently nudged her palm with his nose. “Do you remember where you last saw your friends?” Irma thought for a moment. Then she began to tell him everything she could remember. As she spoke, her voice grew steadier. Eldorin never interrupted. When she finished, the forest fell quiet. A leaf drifted down from the branches above and settled on her knee. “Can you help me?” she asked. “Can I really get home?” A soft light shone in Eldorin’s eyes. “Listen carefully, Irma,” he said. “I will tell you how to find your way home.”