Seasons of Sherwood Part Three – Spring
Mary-Anne stood in sunlight, dappled by the branches of an oak tree, the bright green leaves only just breaking through their russet brown buds. She breathed in a lungful of spring air, a gentle smile on her lips.
She was putting down some seed for a nest of field mice and examining the new growth of bracken, unfurling like a fresh green Catherine wheel, when Jax gave a welcoming ‘Yip’. She turned to see Him approaching, taking his usual meandering path through the forest, examining the underside of leaves, turning rocks and decaying logs, in much the same way as she did.
“Hi,” she said, feeling very shy and still lacking confidence in herself. It wasn’t easy breaking the habits she’d learned to protect herself. It was the first time she’d actually spoken to him since that day in the winter, though they’d nodded and smiled in greeting as they’d passed each other on their frequent treks.
“Hey,” he said, sounding as socially awkward as she felt. “Nice day.”
Mary-Anne nodded, “It certainly is. The forest is bursting with life.” She nodded towards the undergrowth, “I’m pretty sure there are baby mice in there.”
“Ah,” he said, “I thought you were just feeding the birds.”
“No, I bring food for several species, especially during the winter and early spring. Not so much in the summer though.” She smiled as a mouse flitted out from the dense undergrowth, grabbed a nut and disappeared in a flash. A red-breasted robin watched them with beady black eyes. “What were you doing?” she asked, “I saw you turning the rocks and stuff.”
“Looking for insects,” he said. “I’m an entomologist and am doing a study of climate change on our insect population. I’m Zack, by the way.”
“Mary-Anne,” she said, “My name, I mean.” She felt rather flustered. “I’d love to hear more about your study.”
“You would?” Zack was startled by this. Other people generally thought he was a little strange.
She nodded. “It’s so interesting. Perhaps you can help me identify some species I’m stuck on.”
“Fancy going for a cuppa?”
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHello Carrie – Another wonderful story about Mary-Anne and Zack! I love the way their story unfolds slowly, gradually, like the seasons themselves. Two questions: What is that amazing picture? And what is a Catherine Wheel?
Hi Fuji, thank you for your kind comments. The photograph is of a bracken leaf unfurling. It’s fascinating the way it spirals. A Catherine wheel is a type of firework. This is an example of one on YouTube https://youtu.be/FEG_XDcqUdo 🙂
Hello again Carrie, thanks for the video of the Catherine wheel. We have some kind of firework like that in the US, but I don’t know what it’s called. Also the young bracken leaf unfurling is a lot like the new growth on my Autumn Fern. Except the Autumn Fern begins its new growth as brown and then gradually turns green. Nature is so full of imagination!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI really enjoyed reading Zack and Mary-Anne’s story, Carrie. Spring is such an exciting season with the rebirth of so many different things. They also are growing something beautiful and new, as well. I love it!
Thank you Melissa. I’m enjoying writing this extension to Mary-Anne’s story. Zack is just who she needed to meet – it seems that the forest is still giving magic in her life. I’ve just finished writing part 4 but, as it 3.45am here at the moment, I think I’d better check it later, when (if) I’ve had a bit more sleep, before uploading ???
Hello, Carrie. Another mesmerizing story of Zach and Mary-Anne. Like Fuji, your photo catches my attention too. It looks so adorable.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks Lotchie. Hope you enjoy parts 4 and 5 too. I was going to end it at part 5, but then had an idea for a part 6 the other day. So we’ll see how that pans out. There definitely won’t be more than 6 though!
Carrie, I was so excited when I read the last line! I love how your story unfolds. Well done.