Hannah walked alone in the woods and felt sad . She was nine years old but she had already seen many changes in her short life. They weren't all bad things, some were pretty wonderful. Hannah loved having her new little sister and her stepmother ,Emma, was just lovely. She had to start at another school soon, but she was always able to make friends. Even so, her secret self wished that things didn't have to change at all.
" Why do people have to leave, families move, a little girl grows up?”These thoughts made her feel worried .
Hannah kicked a stone on the path and it hit a huge oak tree. She walked nearer to the tree. "Am I dreaming ?” Hannah rubbed her eyes. The tree was moving! Its big branches were reaching out to her. Soon, she was encircled by branches and leaves. Then she became one with the tree. Her brown hair grew longer and longer, as it curled around the leaves. Her body grew lean and strong and it mixed with the outer covering of tree until they shared one trunk. Her arms and legs reached out finger and higher. Finally, Hannah's spirit softly settled into its new home and she became a forest goddess.
Hannah was now part of the woodland. Seasons changed and brought wonder and warmth to her. Winter was quiet and peaceful. In the springtime, she breathed in the rich smell of the soil and enjoyed the green new life in the forest. Her favorite season was autumn. Her leaves became magnificent colors and she loved to watch them dancing in wind.
Hannah observed how things didn't stay the same in nature's world. She saw young animals born and the spirit of old creatures pass on. Within the tree, she spent hours watching the clouds move across the sky. Sometimes it was fair, and sometimes heavy and gray .In the evening she watched the stars twinkle against the night sky. As part of the forest, Hannah came to love the changing world around her.
Suddenly, a nut hit her head. A squirrel hid from the tree quickly. Oh , she realized herself napping under the oak tree. What a wonderful dream! Hannah learned her cheek against the bark and gave thanks for their time together. Then she went back home, thinking and smiling.……
a. Hannah's spirit settled in the tree. b. Hannah walked close to the oak tree.
c. Hannah's arms and legs stretched out d. The branches of tree spread toward her.
e. Hannah's body mixed with the tree trunk. f. Hannah's hair grew longer and curled around the tree .