On that sunny morning in late August, Lalita - the tree nymph – woke up when the first sunrays kissed her cheek.  She immediately looked at the little oak tree next to her bed of moss and – like every other morning - checked whether everything was OK with the tiny tree, which was only 3 feet high but destined to live for 1000 years and become the future Mother Tree of the witch’s forest.  It’s been 2 years now since Lalita arrived in Flanders after an epic 2-year walk from her home soil in South-East Asia, with only one lifelong mission : protect the little oak tree.
After getting up, she went to hug and cuddle the badgers who live in a circular network of tunnels around the little tree.  At that moment, she saw something unusual in the corner of her eye. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw it was a fully grown banana tree.  She started to chuckle spontaneously, as a banana plant in a forest in Flanders is a really weird sight.
As Lalita doesn’t allow herself to move more than 100 yards away from the oak tree, she dispatched Bob The Owl to call Hekske – the little witch – and Falke – the 9-year old witch apprentice.  A few minutes later, the 2 witches arrived at the scene and looked at the banana tree in awe.  It felt like a birthday gift for Falke, who happened to turn 10 on that very day.  After realizing it was Falke’s birthday, Lalita gave 27 hugs and kisses to the ever-smiling blond-haired witch apprentice.  After this intermezzo, the girls turned their attention to the banana tree, especially to its fresh green leaves, which were in sharp contrast with the dusty brown colors which were now dominating the forest, as a result of an unprecedented drought which started back in June and showed no signs of ending.  Several wells had dried up and some trees were even shedding their brown leaves.  Many herbs, animals and insects had died because of a lack of water.  It was a very tough summer for the forest dwellers.  Meanwhile Lalita caressed the banana tree, as memories came back from her childhood in South-East Asia, when she sheltered every day from the torrential rains under a banana tree leaf.
The 3 girls sighed and the lack of rain weighed heavier than ever.  The arrival of the banana tree was surely a good omen and the girls decided to do a rain dance.  But just as they were about to shuck off their clothes and start dancing, Bob The Owl landed on Hekske’s hand.  He had an urgent message to convey, as a visitor had just entered the forest.  And he was not human, which is why the guard animals didn’t chase him away (like they always do with human intruders).  Hekske told Bob The Owl to show their guest the way.  And 15 minutes later, the girls welcomed their guest.  He was obviously a wizard, as he was wearing a long black cloak.  He looked very young, just a teenager.  His shiny skin was soft and pale, in contrast with his black hair and mesmerizing black eyes.  He was obviously very shy, as it was the first time he ever saw a witch or nymph.  Lalita immediately prepared oriental herbal tea to welcome their guest.  A little later, they all sat down in a circle on the soft moss and introduced themselves while sipping tea.  The boy appeared to be only 13 years of age and he came from the Caspian Hyrcanian forest, a lush mixed ecosystem near Mount Damavand on the southern side of the Caspian sea.  He introduced himself as Esfandiar (اسفنديار,) - a Persian name which means ‘pure creation’.  The little witch got very curious as she had never met a witch or wizard from that part of the globe.  Then she asked whether he knew a magic spell to make rain…

(To be continued in Witchtape #132)

Connect with the artist : 
https://soundcloud.com/truenaturemusic

Photo credits : Distinctive Images
https://www.shutterstock.com/nl/g/distinctiveimg

Witchtape #130 | Guest Witch : True Nature

Witches are the guardians of the forests.  We're not evil or dark, just a bit shy.  And even surprisingly sweet and kind... as long as you respect the forest.

Art project of Hekske ('Little Witch' in my native Flemish language).
Founded on the 22nd of January 2017

Avatar and wallpaper by Ironika (Irina Alexandrovna)

Witchtape #130 | Guest Witch : True Nature

Hekske ❋ The Magic Witchtapes