Woodlington

Epilogue - One Month Later...

The Circle's life was a strange one.

Without visitors, it didn't seem to exist. Or rather, it had no recollection of existing.

Life for The Circle, meant people.

This time there were five of them, accompanied (to its great delight) by a dog.

The Circle liked dogs - they were simpler creatures, happier and more content.

As they explored its meadow, The Circle eased itself out of the great tree and entered the flowers around them.

A feeling of warmth swept through it.

It knew some of them.

Not the woman and boy, no. But the others, they'd been before.

The girls in fact were frequent visitors.

The dog they'd brought was one of The Circle's favourites.

As always, it scampered around, barking at butterflies and sniffing the air.

Passing from bloom to bloom, The Circle observed them as they walked.

The first part of a visit was always the most exciting. It loved keeping close, watching as the dullness they brought slowly faded, to be replaced with joy and happiness.

It wasn't let down.

Fingers pointed excitedly, expressions of wonder appeared, and silence fell, as the people lost themselves in The Circle's realm - sky, bluer than blue; clouds, white and fluffy; trees, strong and vibrant; flowers, bright and delicate.

Transferring itself into a butterfly, The Circle swept closer.

Through the insect's eyes it saw the colour of their emotions - gold, lilac, pink.

It soared higher, drawing their attention to a row of distant treetops, tinted silver with reflected sunlight.

The dog, its feelings revealed through less subtle hues – mainly vibrant shades of orange and yellow - jumped as it fluttered out of reach, barking playfully.

Slowly, the visitors headed for the Water Corner.

As they settled under the limbs of a willow, The Circle eased itself into the graceful branches.

Peering through the leaves, it waited as the bag they'd brought was opened, and food appeared.

A picnic. They were having a picnic!

While they ate, The Circle crept along the spreading roots, onto the mossy grass beneath them.

Their feelings of contentment, translated through a million subtle vibrations, gave it a sense of pride.

The Circle was doing what it did best - working its magic.

Afterwards, while the girls were leaning over the bank, staring into its stream, The Circle looked back at them through the eyes of a fish.

They laughed as it spat water into the air, and watched, entranced, as it floated on the surface, rotating slowly in the warm current.

The Circle had never been happier.

Though a little sleepy from the food they'd eaten, the girls were full of excitement and eager to explore.

The Circle shared their every emotion – one minute becoming a gust of wind playing with their hair, the next a rabbit, bounding alongside them.

As their senses soared, flowing from one colour to the next, The Circle grew giddy.

At last however, as such things always did, the visit came to an end.