in which meadow is sad about plants

Fern arrives and asks her sad daughter to tell her what she sees. Meadow is nonverbal and, the when her mother asks the pup to tell her what she sees, the woman does not mean with words. While her daughter cannot offer them, she is able to explain everything with her expression and gestures. She quickly moves to where her daughter is, following the gestures at the withering plants. The soft whimper Meadow gives tugs at her heart and Fern opens her arms to embrace her child, if she wishes.

With soft words and a quiet, comforting tone, Fern begins to explain, “It is okay sweet one. You know how, every night, you go to sleep? That is what the plants are doing. As the weather grows cold, they shed their leaves and stems, pulling into themselves so that they can slumber away the winter cold.” A gentle smile is offered as she slowly and carefully, lifts one of daughter’s paws and brings it to rest on the dirt below one of the plants.

Letting her daughter feel the dirt, she keeps her touch light and is ready to pull away if Meadow shows signs of being uncomfortable. Fern continues on, “The dirt is their blanket. While you will not be able to see them, the plants are alive and slumbering deeply in here.” Removing her paw, she says, “When the warmth returns, the plants will awaken with it. You will see them sprout up and out, stretching out and bringing with them, new life.”

A smile, warm and comforting is offered as she, once again, moves to embrace her daughter. If she allows, Fern will also plant a gentle kiss on the girl’s brow. She hopes she has explained it well enough and she looks to her daughter to see if she needs more reassurance.


"Fern Carpathius" | "Puff"