Miracles

eggie walked through the hallway as quietly as her little feet could take her and stopped in front of her parents' room. Her little hand grasped the doorknob but voices from inside the room stopped her from hurtling in. Mummy and Daddy were arguing again. They fought almost every night over almost everything ever since Daddy lost his job at the stock market. Meggie bit her lips and gathered her courage to proceed into the room.

Inside, Mummy was sprawled on the bed with her right hand covering dark red cheek. Daddy was standing not far away, hands clenched tightly. Mummy was the first to see Maggie standing at the door. She arose unsteadily and asked,

"Meggie, dear, you're supposed to be in bed." She tried very hard to act as if everything was all right, but with one cheek burning and throbbing madly, her façade was not convincing enough.

"There...there is a monster in my closet," she whispered timidly.

"For Heaven's sake, Megan, you're nine years old. It's time you grew up. Now go back to bed!"

Daddy was roaring at the top of his lungs. His whole face had turned red in undisguised anger, making him look like a monster himself. Screaming, terrified of her maddened Daddy, Meggie bolted back into her room, leaving her stuffed Winnie the Pooh forgotten on the floor. She could faintly hear her parents' argument starting anew.

"You should not have done that! She's only a little girl, Hank."

Counterattack. "She's too pampered! It's time someone put some backbone in her."

Meggie shut the door tightly. It was her fault they started fighting. She tried holding back ensuing tears, but hearing another slapping sound was too much for her. Tears streamed down uncontrollably, but another noise coming out from her cupboard was too loud to go unnoticed. Wiping away her tears, the frightened but curious little girl approached the dark cupboard and took hold of its wooden knob. The door creaked open -

- And out tumbled a queer-looking boy. Recovering his dignity - not to mention his balance - the boy stood up. He was not much taller that Meggie, and he was dressed in tattered brown clothes with leaves scattered about his person. His not-so-short mouse-brown hair was wild and unkempt. He was also barefooted. Softly pointed ears stuck out of his thick mane of hair. His face beamed as he grinned and outstretched his hand towards Meggie.

"You are not a monster!" she exclaimed.

"Of course I'm not!" he retorted indignantly. His face lit up again like quicksilver. "I'm Ralfniqsiqici, but you can call me Ralf."

"What a funny name." Meggie giggled. "I'm Meggie. What are you?"

"Hello, Meggie." He took her hand and shook it enthusiastically. "I am a wood sprite, and I came here to take you to a very special place." His face sobered immediately. "We need your help."

"But...but you are not real. Are you? Anyway, my parents will start fighting again if they found me missing."

Without a warning, Ralf pinched Meggie's cheek, making it burn angrily.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"To show you that I'm real. Now you believe me?" Without waiting for an answer, he continued speaking. "Now, back to more serious matters, we really need your help. As for your parents finding out, don't worry. You've heard of the story about the sandman, haven't you? Well, your parents are sleeping like babies. They will only wake up by sunup, and we'll be back by then. No one will even miss you.

"Now." Ralf tapped a foot impatiently. "Are you ready to go?"

"I think so. What do I do?"

"Just tell yourself that you believe in miracles and hold on tight. Now take my hand and don't let go. Believe!"

Taking hold of Ralf's hand, Meggie closed her eyes tightly and whispered, "I believe!"

Meggie opened her eyes to the melodious whistles of birds. She looked around and found herself in a dense jungle thick with life. Everything looked beautiful and lively, and the whole place seemed to spring with life. Even the trees seemed to whisper secretly among themselves. Meggie was almost lost in wonder when she finally realised that she was all alone. Ralf was not beside her anymore.

"Ralf! Ralf!" Her shouts were only answered by the rustling sound of leaves, as if mocking her worried calls. Suddenly, out of nowhere, up sprang Ralf, his face beaming even more.

"Scared you, didn't I? Take hold of my hands and prepare yourself for the wildest journey of your life."

Grabbing hold of Maggie's hand, Ralf darted through the dense undergrowth, ignoring Meggie's feeble protests. Quick as lightning, and nimble as rabbits, the young adventurers jumped over roots, dodged low-hanging branches, and sped through grassy spaces.

After what seemed a long time, Ralf stopped dead at the centre of a small circular clearing. Meggie could not help but notice small colourful mushrooms growing at the border of the clearing, forming a near-perfect circular ring. Ralf whistled in a queer way three times and looked at Meggie.

"Why are we stopping, Ralf?"

"You'll see. To get to the special place, we have to ask the help of this forest's guardians. They may be oh-so-serious," he added in a low voice, "but they're all right for such big creatures."

"I heard that, Ralfniqsiqici!" boomed a voice like a distant thunder. Then, out of the shadows, walked a big form. Curly chestnut hair and beard framed his rich and tanned face, and hair of the same colour covered his wide, muscular chest. He looked like any powerful man until one looked below his waistline. From waist below he had the form of a very large horse. Having read many a fantasy book, Meggie immediately knew that she was gazing upon a mythical being named centaur. She also knew that it would not do to be impolite to such a creature.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mister Centaur. I am Meggie," she said, and curtsied deeply.

"Ah, the pleasure is mine, young lass. But thou may call me by my name given to me by my father three thousand moons past, Orin Thunderfoot."

Centaurs were very formal, even among themselves, and Orin was no exception.

"Now, lad." He gave Ralf a stern look. "Thou should learn some manners from this lassie here. Now, how may I be of service?" The last sentence came out in a grave and serious tone of voice.

"I have brought the Chosen One, and it would be very kind of you if you would transport us both to Mother."

"Aye lad, I will be honoured to do so with much haste. Come," he boomed. The centaur folded his forelegs to enable the young adventurers to climb up his wide back. "I will aid thee up my back."

With Orin's help, Ralf and Meggie scurried onto his back and secured themselves, with Meggie sitting behind Ralf.

"Now, now," he chuckled, "Thou need not squeeze the air out of me. Young Meggie, squeeze thy knees gently. That's it. Now hold on tight to Ralf. And you, lad, hug my waist, not that hard, mind you. That's it. Now hold on tight!"

Without another word, the enormous centaur thundered through the dense forest. With agility surprising for his bulk, Orin dodged trees and thick undergrowth, galloping at a fast and constant speed. Before long Meggie was lulled into sleep by the soft breeze that caressed her little face. She only woke up to scratch her neck when she felt something biting her there.

After a long, uncomfortable nap (centaurs were half-horse after all, and sleeping on their backs were the least bit comfortable thing to do), Orin halted in front of a wide clearing. Gently he woke both Ralf and Meggie who were fast asleep and folded his legs to let them climb down easily.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Meggie looked around to find them all alone. Not a single sound could be heard. Soft green light illuminated the place, but Meggie could not discern the source of this gentle and warm light. A ring of great, ancient oak trees surrounded the clearing, and in the middle of the circular area stood a mighty tree, greater and far older than the ring of ancient oaks themselves. It stood taller than the tallest trees, its highest branches touching the clouds. So awe-struck was Meggie that she did not realise that Ralf and Orin had exchanged brief, grave words before the great centaur left them silently.

"Meggie, you are the second and most probably the last mortal human to step foot here. The tree you see in the middle of this clearing is the spirit of Mother Earth herself." His voice was low and solemn with deep reverence.

"Where...where are we?"

"We are in the world within and without. The fabric of time and reality holds no law here, but here is the essence of all reality. To ease your mortal mind, we are at the heart of the planet Earth."

"But what are we doing here?"

"Look at the tree. What do you see?"

"An old tree. She's beautiful."

"Now look again. Carefully."

Squinting, as if not believing her eyes, Meggie tore her gaze away from the ancient tree. It was gnarled, twisted and sickly-looking.

"She's...hurt. There are worms coming out of her trunk."

Ralf nodded slowly. "She is dying, Meggie. If she dies," he breathed horridly, "the whole world will die too."

"But why? What made her like this?" She had to ask.

"Why?" he spat vehemently. "Why? Ask your so-called highest, so-called noblest kind, the humans. They plunder, kill, and destroy. They clear away ancient forests for petty reasons. They kill innocent animals for fun. They wage wars, killing each other, destroying everything in their wake. They pollute the pristine waters and air. And you ask me why?"

Meggie could see undisguised anger burning in Ralf's eyes. Not only did he look mean and angry, but lost and anguished at the same time. This was simply too much. Covering her face with her hands, Meggie cried.

"I'm sorry we did this. But not everyone is that bad!"

Recovering his composure, Ralf patted Meggie's back fondly, compassion now evident in his eyes. "I know. I'm sorry I lashed at you. Just that seeing the Mother of all dying makes me very angry. That's why you are here, Meggie. Only you can make her well again."

"Me? What can I do? I am just a little girl. Even Daddy says I'm good for nothing. I'm useless. I cannot help. Honest."

Ralf's face beamed again as he laughed the richest laugh Meggie had ever heard.

"You believe in miracles, don't you? You have a beautiful and kind heart. We can hear you wishing every single night for your parents to stop fighting and love each other. Your wish is the loudest and least selfish. You can do it. Just believe."

Timidly, Meggie stepped into the clearing and whispered, "I believe." Ignoring the slime-coated squirming worms, the brave little girl spread her arms and embraced the wide trunk as tightly as she could. Her innocent, pure faith and love spread from her tiny heart throughout her whole body. Meggie began to glow, and the pure white glow expanded throughout the whole tree.

Slowly, the trunk began to straighten, and a new coat of golden wood replaced the decayed and gnarled bark. The worms began to bloat up and they exploded into colourful petals that floated in the soft breeze. Meggie could hear life springing about, and soon noise began to fill the air. Meggie smiled and collapsed to the ground, exhausted beyond comprehension.

Ralf stood at the edge of the clearing, awe-struck. He had travelled the world for thousands of years, and had witnessed countless miracles and amazement. But witnessing a mortal human child performing this greatest miracle had him taken aback.

The Elders were right, he thought. This little girl is the Chosen One. All around him now stood all the woodfolks. Animals great and insignificant had forgotten their hunger and fear and gathered together to witness the healing of Mother Earth. Creatures out of fairy tales, beautiful and terrifying, had crowded the clearing too.

Slowly making his way through the crowd, Ralf at last found Meggie lying on a bed of moss and flowers at the foot of the magnificent tree. The great centaur, Orin Thunderfoot, and a host of his kindred were circling the tree to guard Meggie from danger, though there was no need for it. Danger was the furthest thing from the ancient grove. Finally recovering his wits, Ralf asked the chief guardian,

"Master Thunderfoot, is it over?" Is Mother saved?"

The centaur shook his head gravely. "Alas, young lad, what your Meggie has done is not enough. Mother is safe for now, but until all of the humankind realises their mistake and stop hurting nature, Mother Earth is not truly safe. There is many a kind heart like the young lassie here, but they are not enough. But even they can make a difference."

Orin then turned his gaze to a magnificent white horse with folded wings by his sides. "Master Pegasus, would thou be so kind as to transport this lassie here to her dwelling? The sun is waking up and she has to be home before sunup. Am I right, young Ralf?"

Ralf nodded solemnly and the winged horse pranced in front of the chief centaur and nodded his proud head.

"Aye, lord. I would be very honoured to transport this noble human back safely. Master Ralf, please, if you could escort us there?"

Nobody in his or her right mind would say no to a Pegasus offering a ride on his back. The flying horses, the very symbol of freedom, did not let just anyone ride on their backs. Nodding enthusiastically, Ralf helped Orin carry Meggie up the Pegasus's velvety back. This time, Ralf sat behind as Meggie was fast asleep on his shoulder. Gently taking hold of the Pegasus's silken mane, Ralf declared that they were ready to go. With a mighty leap, the great horse spread his enormous wings and sailed gracefully in the air. They sped faster than wind to Meggie's house.

Finally reaching there, Ralf carried Meggie with uncanny stealth of the fairy folk and tucked her into bed. Kissing her fondly on her cheek, Ralf sneaked out of the window and both wood sprite and Pegasus were soon safely out of nosy humans' eyesight well before dawn.

Meggie rubbed her eyes and stood up. It was all a dream. Sleepily she moved out of the bed and stopped in front of the mirror, startled. There stood her reflection, with leaves stuck in her hair and mud and moss matted on her night-dress. Quickly she changed her clothes, as to not let her parents scold her for playing in the woods late at night. She felt strangely dizzy as she donned her school clothes, and when she stepped into the dining hall, the dizziness was unbearable. Despite the pain, though, she managed to spot Daddy's absence there. She sat on her chair and asked Mummy,

"Where's Daddy?"

Looking at Meggie, then at her little brother Charlie, and back at her, Mummy unsuccessfully tried to hold back her tears.

"Meggie, Charlie, Daddy...Daddy decided to leave. He -"

Mummy stopped talking altogether and cried. Meggie wanted to console her, but the dizziness was too much. She toppled from her chair and fainted.

"Meggie?" asked someone vaguely familiar. Her head hurt trying to recall that voice. She opened her eyes and saw Daddy sitting beside her on her bed. Mummy was on the opposite site, holding her little hand. She closed her eyes again.

Mummy had managed to contact Daddy just before he boarded a plane for a place far away from home. She had also called a doctor to come and check on her daughter. Now that the doctor had inspected Meggie, he called both Mummy and Daddy to one corner of the room.

"Sir, Madam," he said in a low, grave voice, "I'm afraid your daughter has contacted a strange and lethal illness unknown to me. But I have spotted a strange bite mark on her neck, though. It is possible that a new species of insect has bitten her. I'm sorry to say this, but it is killing your daughter. The only thing left for any of us to do is pray for a miracle to happen. I'm sorry."

"Mummy," called Meggie weakly. Mummy and Daddy quickly rushed to her side. Daddy was holding Mummy's shoulder tightly.

"We are here, Meggie," Mummy replied. She was at the brink of tears.

"Mummy, believe."

It was all she said before falling into a deep coma, but somehow, Mummy understood. She stepped into the sunlight and did something she had not done in a long time. She believed. She opened up her heart to believe in miracles once more.

Out of thin air, a regal young elf riding a great centaur materialised beside Meggie's bed. Daddy and the doctor jumped back, not believing what they saw. Mummy rushed to their side.

"Please Ralf, please Orin Thunderfoot, save my Meggie." Mummy knew their name for she had known them personally when she was a little girl. Back then she had believed. She was their Chosen One.

Ralf, having taken off his wood sprite guise, walked regally to Meggie's side. He looked at the angry welt on Meggie's neck and immediately recognised the source of her strange illness.

"She has been bitten by a winged imp. Nasty little creatures, those. But not to worry, Alice." He patted Mummy's slumped shoulder. "I'm Ralf, the elven prince. There is nothing I can't do. I think." He added sheepishly. "Anyway I'm fond of her. She's a strong Chosen One, even stronger than you, my Alice in Wonderland."

Growing impatient, Orin cleared his throat, which sounded like a rumbling thunder. "Reunions can come later, lad. The lassie needs our help."

"Oh, you are absolutely right. Well," he said, touching the angry welt, "here goes nothing." Suddenly, Ralf glowed and sparks of blue and gold electricity danced all over him. With a voice more ancient than the mountains, he chanted, "By the blessings and powers of the Elders, Heal!"

Slowly, ever so slowly, the bite mark dissipated and colour returned to Meggie's cheek. Soon her eyes opened and a gentle smile brightened her face.

"Ralf," she whispered. "You look different."

Ralf laughed. "I know. I like my wood sprite form better. Being an elven prince can be stifling sometimes."

"Well, lassie, thou are well, and we are all happy for thee. Alas, we have to depart now. Already we have broken the sacred law not to appear in front of adult humans just to save thee. The longer we are here, the more danger we face. Fare thee well, lassie. Fare thee well."

"See how I'm right when I said that centaurs are a tad too stiff?" Ralf whispered impishly with a wink.

"I heard that, Ralfniqsiqici!" roared the centaur.

"Anyway, good-bye for now, Meggie. Till we meet again. That goes the same for you too, Alice. Boy, how could you stop believing?"

Ralf shook his head. After waving to both mother and daughter, Ralf took hold of Orin's neck and both of them disappeared into thin air.

Finally recovering their senses, Daddy and Doctor asked at the same time, "What was that?"

Hugging each other, both Mummy and Maggie laughed. "Believe!"

--*--

A month had gone by, and Mummy and Daddy were back together happily. The firm had asked Daddy to return, and had he had been offered a better position there. Miraculously, Meggie's family was together again. She was thankful for that.

Meggie grew up a wise and beautiful woman. She tried her best to keep nature intact, and managed to preserve a forest not far from her home. She saw neither Ralf nor his friends again, but once in a while, when the moon was full, she could faintly hear Ralf's laughter and Orin's thundering "I heard that!" in the forest that she preserved. She would smile, wondering what mischief Ralf was up to this time.