Come Alive

Ellara’s ears flicked at the sound of tiny, quick footsteps racing to catch up with her, followed by the skittering halt of little paws on damp earth. She turned to see Ioan, breathless but eager, his young eyes wide and curious as he took in the garden’s waking beauty. A soft smile curled at the edge of her muzzle, amused by the boy’s earnestness.

“Hello, Ioan,” she greeted gently, her voice warm but quiet, respecting the tranquility of the God's Garden. She watched him steady his breathing, excitement shining in his gaze. “I’m clearing away the leaves and debris, giving the new plants some room to grow,” she explained, gesturing to the small sprouts peeking through the soil. “Spring is a time of new beginnings, and we can help it along by giving everything a bit of care.”

She nudged aside a clump of fallen leaves with a careful paw, revealing another green shoot pushing through the soil. “You know,” she began, an idea sparking in her mind, “we could plant something new together. That way, the garden will have even more to grow this season, and you’ll get to learn a bit about taking care of it from the start.”

Ellara padded over to the edge of the garden where she kept her small collection of seeds, carefully hidden beneath a rock to protect them from scavengers. She lifted a paw to pull out a few tiny seeds, each one filled with the promise of life. Holding them out to Ioan, she explained, “These are for a type of herb that can be very helpful in healing. When it grows, its leaves can soothe wounds. Would you like to help me plant them?”

She nudged a patch of soil beside them, showing Ioan how to gently press the seeds into the earth. “Just a little bit of soil on top, like a blanket, and then we’ll give them a drink of water,” she instructed softly, demonstrating for him. “With some patience and care, we’ll come back in a few days and see the first little green sprouts.”

"Ellara"