Beyond the Stream: When Courage Needs Wisdom — Lyrion’s Journey (Episode 4)
As children grow more independent, curiosity can sometimes carry them farther than good judgment would.
They may keep a concern to themselves because they don't want us to worry, fear that asking permission will lead to a “no,” or simply believe they should be able to handle the situation on their own. Yet learning independence also means learning when to stop, when to reconsider, and when to ask someone they trust to walk beside them.
In this episode, Lyrion's curiosity leads him toward something he doesn't understand—and eventually forces him to consider the difference between being brave enough to seek answers and being wise enough not to face the unknown alone.
As you read together, this may be a gentle opportunity to remind your child that asking for help doesn't take away their courage or independence. Sometimes, it is one of the wisest and bravest choices they can make.
Lyrion tossed and turned. He couldn’t stop thinking about that sound. He wasn’t imagining it. The forest seemed to growl. He rolled over and stared at the moon. Its silvery glow comforted him. That’s impossible. A forest can’t growl. There must be an explanation. He curled up and gripped his knees thinking about it as he counted the swallows that flew by.
A strange haze was in the air as the morning sun rose above the trees. Lyrion walked towards Glimmerwood Stream with the determination of an explorer. He wanted to know where the strange sounds were coming from. The forest animals were his friends. Although he had recently moved there, he knew most of them by name. He played hide-and-seek with the deer. The smaller animals followed him as he played his flute while the birds sang. But something bothered him about that growl. It rang in his ears constantly. He couldn’t eat thinking about it. His mother asked him what was wrong, but he decided not to worry her and said nothing. If she knew, she wouldn’t let him go on any more adventures.
The wind flowed briskly through the trees as he stood beside the stream. It was colder than usual, and the air seemed charged with more than the morning fog. He climbed to the top of the bluff so he could see the entire valley. It was beautiful even hidden beneath the gray clouds that hovered above the ground. Lyrion reached for his telescope, looking for anything that seemed abnormal.
In the distance, he saw a heavily worn path going into a dense thicket. It was beyond the deer’s home, and he wondered what made it. He tightened his satchel across his chest and raced down the slope. Broken twigs and tree branches were everywhere. Deep scratches had been clawed into the trees, becoming more frequent the further he walked. He began breathing deeply as it became difficult to see through the canopy of leaves.
Suddenly, a low, deep growl filled the air. The forest was eerily silent and Lyrion heard it clearly. He slipped his hand into his overcoat, feeling for his slingshot. This was not a good idea, he thought. He should have come with a friend instead of coming alone. His mother didn’t know where he was. How would she know if something happened to him?
The gruff sound thundered around him. He didn’t know what was making it, but… it was big. The sun peeked through the thorny limbs, dimly lighting the path as he walked deeper into Glimmerwood. The growl echoed louder the further he went. With every step, Lyrion wondered if he had made the right decision. Now he had a friend that he could have asked for help… but he didn’t. He could have told his mom about the strange sounds. But he didn’t do that either.
The light faded gradually as he followed the path. He stopped when he heard the heavy steps of something coming towards him. At first, it was moving fast- then more slowly the closer it came. Nothing else in the forest moved. Just the heavy thud of paw prints moving closer and closer through the darkness.
Lyrion looked around for somewhere to hide. The forest was too dark, and he could barely see in front of him. He held his hands out feeling blindly through the air reaching for anything he could hold on to. Tears flowed down his cheeks as the fear of what was coming overwhelmed him.
The sound of crushed, brittle leaves grew closer. Lyrion felt his way around a large tree trunk and hugged it tightly, staying as still as possible. In the fading light, a large shadow sniffed the air. Lyrion held his breath and pressed his cheek against the tree. The creature walked closer and its breath made Lyrion nauseous.
Suddenly, he was lifted off the ground. Vines and branches gripped his body as he was lifted face to face with the Tree of Wisdom.
“You didn’t think you’d see me here, did you?”
Lyrion let out a deep sigh. “No,” he cried. “Where did you come from?”
“I’m the Tree of Wisdom. I’m always where I am needed most. And right now… you need me.”
He nodded.
“You realize it wasn’t wise to leave home on your own in search of something you knew nothing about.”
“I just wanted to know what was making those sounds.”
“The forest holds many mysteries. It may be beautiful… but it can also be deceiving.”
Before Lyrion could respond, the tree released him. He fell towards the ground and rolled over to stand up. His hoof stomped the floor when he fell out of bed. He sat there dazed for a moment, then he realized it was all a dream. The moon was still shining brightly through his window, and his mother was fast asleep across the room.
He thought about his dream and what the Tree of Wisdom said: “He’s always where he is needed most.” Lyrion watched the clouds float by and decided he would use wisdom and not face the challenge of the unknown alone.
Thank you for visiting the Glimmerwood Kingdom, one of the many magical places within the Starlight Realm, where every adventure helps courage, kindness, and imagination grow.
The growl is still out there. And this time, Lyrion knows he shouldn’t face it alone. Join us next week as Lyrion's journey continues in Episode 5. Discover what waits beyond the stream.
— Written with care by W. L. Shaw, creator of Fanciful Tales