Peter had woken slowly, savoring his dream, until a beam of sunlight shone directly in his eyes and he begrudgingly sat up, keeping his eyes defiantly closed against the ray of light.
Next moment his eyes shot open and he looked around panicked. He hadn't been woken by sunlight for almost ten years. Had the tribe travelled without him?
The boy-man's beating heart slowed as his gaze saw only large trees swaying slightly. A warm breeze gently blew through his hair and brought his gaze to the sky, familiarly, hearing the slight tinkle of bells. He smiled softly and closed his eyes again letting the humble yet intimate breeze still his heart.
Opening his eyes again Peter looked to where his star always was in the sky, his heart sped again as he couldn't find it. Shielding his eyes from the direct beam of sunlight as he turned his head back to its previous position he comforted himself with the thought that he could not possibly see the star through this blazing light.
The boy who was also a man rose to his feet and looked around, fists on his hips. The warm wind blew through the tree tops, but he furrowed his brow quizzically that in this - what appeared to be - vast forest there was not even the least sign of a bird. Not a chirp, no flutter of wings... The breeze picked up, running through his hair, as was already familiar to him, there was the very faint tinkle of small bells...and then he heard flapping above him. In the distance there was a chirp, and there was the slight disturbance in the tree limbs high above him. The confused look returned, but barely a second later he shrugged his shoulders and started to walk. The boy assuming that he had simply surprised them which explained their silence.The forest where he had awoken was very simple – leaves scattered on a dirt floor, medium sized trees overhead, interspersed with the flutter of wings. Peter knew he should be afraid, but he did not feel it. Instead he felt comfortable.
He walked for a long while, but being who was, soon became twitchy and restless. This was nice, but he longed for the forest he dreamed about before the cold overtook him. Towering trees, vines, bushes, large birds, bright colored birds, small noisy birds, moss, antelope from home, forest penguins – his favorite animal – the swinging monkeys he had heard about from a tribe long ago, scuffling creatures of all kinds, climbing trees, small trees, flowers, hills with caves...The boy's imagination was running wild with the possibilities of this warm forest that smelled wet and more alive all the time.
The breeze became a wind, rushing through his hair and pushing against his cheeks, the tinkle of bells sounding like a whisper in his ears.
The further he walked, the wider his smile became, until the craning of his neck in awe left his mouth gaping, his eyes twinkling. For the forest filled out. The trees grew. The floor turned to bushes and ferns with small delicate flowers at first. He saw the leaping of a deer family out of the corner of his eye, but turned to look when they all stopped and turned towards him. Peter heard them snuffle, and then they bowed their heads at him. There was a moment of eye contact, then the leader snuffled once at his flock, and they pranced quickly through the underbrush. The smallest fawn turning once more to look at him. Peter crossed his fist to his opposite breast and bowed slightly. The fawn seemed satisfied and waggled his tail before hopping after his family.
In the distance he heard a cougar's call, and decided to keep on his way; but he puzzled that it sounded more like a greeting than a warning. Then the gentle rhythm of a bird knocking against wood caught his attention, causing him to almost trip over first a pack of scurrying hedgehogs, one of them giving him a very stern look for having almost stepped on a member of the group. Second a line of quail bustling past, Peter being more careful with his feet this time. The mother stopped to chirp at him cheerfully, each of the young chicklets behind her doing the same. In the next moment they turned, and, picking up their busy pace, whisked away as if they had somewhere important to be. Another soft smile graced his lips as he heard the snuffle of wild pigs.
Slowly the terrain changed entirely. The towering trees had more limbs and became twisted, the leaves far above shaking and swinging mysteriously. He heard loud hoots and calls as he walked through. Vines grew long, the ground underneath the boy's feet becoming wet and covered in long grasses, vibrant flowers and other growth, each trying to outdo the others. The birds occasionally stopped and perched above him, squawking cheerfully when he looked up, showing off their bright feathers before dashing through the canopy.
The creatures that crossed his path now, he wasn't sure he liked, slithery or what he would later learn was called a capybara. However...they all seemed friendly enough. The flowers he touched almost seemed to lean into his touch, caressing his fingers lightly with their petals.
Peter decided to see the full expanse of this wonderland and gain his bearings. Wherever he was, he thought, it was better than "home". The boy grimaced.
He climbed the largest tree he could find. The boy's first few attempts being unsuccessful as he had never climbed a tree before. Eventually he grabbed onto a hanging vine, using his feet and arms to scamper up the length of it. Sweat was on his brow as he reached the large branch and sat on it. The exertion felt like a game, and he was loving every minute of it. The boy who was almost a man grabbed the large tree limb above him. His hands didn't even touch as they grasped around the wood tight. He used the trunk to run up and then swing his legs up to the branch, slowly making his way up the tree.
Peter was thrilled and pleased as he looked down at the giant tree stretching below him, but, as his head broke through the canopy a different feeling overtook him entirely.
The scene was majestic. He could see water along the almost circular shape of the island, it was not a huge island, but to Peter, it was more than he had ever hoped for. He didn't even know it was something he could wish for. There was a small plain with large cats, large grey beasts with long trunks, but there were also buffalo and horses. There was the distant bleat of goats and sheep, and the obvious shape of small cows. There was a tall ridge leading out of a part of the forest with enormous and glorious waterfalls that fell to big lakes and rivers on the ground below. He could see the variation on the plains and in the forest – the hills he had wished for. There were large glittering beaches along the outside of the island where it lead into the ocean. But mostly there was forest. Marvelous, towering, lush forest, teeming with life, and comfort, and safety. First a woodland, and then a tropical paradise.
YOU ARE READING
Neverland, Wiser Than Us All
FantasyThe account of how Neverland saved and raised Peter Pan into a man, only then he was called Peider, who was then ready to raise other children, until the time they must return to our world. For many years Peter may not return to stay, even when his...