Anna and the Nature Spirits

Keegan the Fire Faun: Chapter 1

Anna was born with the Sun in the Heart of Leo the Lion; and she showed it. She could speak in English, German and Czech. She knew her way around a keyboard and mouse and any other gadget her Father brought into the house. She could dance and sing with her Mother and she could do Arts and crafts like it was in her nature. In short, she was very creative.

Anna was also very curious and she was indeed very mischievous.

Anna had a big heart, and a long memory and she was also very sensitive

One morning, Anna awoke, in her bed. A sunbeam was dancing on the wall. She watched it, with her big eyes sparkling. She put up her hand to catch it. The light from the sunbeam bent into a shape like a little man. She pulled back her hand quickly.

Then she heard a flute playing. It seemed to be coming from the sunbeam. She sat up and looked out the window to see if there was someone there. The flute playing seemed close by. It sounded like it was in the room with her.

Anna bent over her bed to look under it. She saw a sock, a plastic train and Dad's TV remote exactly where she had hid it. "No one playing a flute, there" she thought.

Then she stood on the bed to look at the sunbeam painting the wall. The flute playing made her smile. It was like playing outside, by the brook under the trees, and watching the bubbles float and burst in the water. It was a happy song.

The song drifted off. Anna waited, watching the sunbeam. Then, in a wink of an eye, someone or something, jumped out of the sunbeam onto her bed. This caused Anna to jump back, falling onto her pillows, teddy bears and stuffed Unicorn. Anna swallowed and looked up at the ...

"Faun," he said with a whimsical look. He began to laugh and dance around the bed. "Anna, I am a faun, a fire Nature child, riding a sunbeam where you caught me. I am your friend and my name is Keegan." , he said aloud while bowing low. He stood up and placed the flute to his mouth and played another happy song. He danced and looked at Anna with smiling eyes.

Anna watched for a moment, then said, "Keegan, what kind of a name is, Keegan, and what's a Faun?"

The Faun laughed and sat down at the end of Anna's bed. Keegan cocked his head to one side, as if listening to something or someone, far away. His ears were fluttering about. Anna began to giggle at this very funny looking faun.

Keegan stopped his ears from wiggling, looked at Anna and said, somewhat offended, "Well, Anna, I am your friend, and friends don't laugh at how they look, you know." He closed his eyes and turned away, a little pout on his mouth.

Anna put out her hand, touched Keegan on the arm and gently said, "Oh, I am sorry Keegan, it is just that I've never seen a faun before, and watching your ears wiggle," she paused, "Well, it is very funny." She smiled with a look of caring on her face.

"Besides, Faun, how come you are my friend, when I have never met you before today?" She said with a quizzical look on her face.

Keegan looked back at her. "Anna, only our friends can 'see' us!" He exclaimed with pride. "and only our very special friends can open a sunbeam to let us out." He pointed to the sunbeam on the wall.

Anna thought for a moment. Then replied, "That seems to make sense, but you still have not told me what a Faun is or what you are doing here, dancing and playing the flute, on my bed" Anna just wanted to know.

Keegan bowed low again. He put the flute to his mouth and played another happy song. After a moment he stopped playing, and looked at Anna. Smiling, he said, "Anna, we are the keepers of the flame of life. Creativity, energy, dancing, running, jumping and laughter are all our gifts. We are Nature's children and we share our gifts with only those children who can see us. And we only come to those children who really know Joy in their Hearts." He pointed to Anna's chest saying, "Like you, Anna!"

Anna smiled. She got out of bed and looking back at Keegan, said, "OK Keegan, then let's go outside and play by the brook where the trees are." She went to the dresser and opened the top drawer.

Keegan looked out the window, then jumped onto the sill with a single bound. "I'll meet you there, Anna. Other Nature children are wanting to meet you. They are your friends, too"

"There is the Air faerie", He continued, "She is magical, and a joyous little creature who loves to dance on the wind. Her name is Aurea. Then there is Nancy the Water Nymphet who likes to splash and swim, and Ernie the Earth Gnome. He likes to sit and always looks like he is waiting for something.", he laughed and ...

... leaped out of the window riding a sunbeam to the ground.

Anna ran to the window and looked out after Keegan. She watched him continue to dance towards the brook and heard Keegan playing a wonderful happy tune. She smiled and dressed quickly to catch up with her new friend.

It was the beginning of a magical day; Anna rushed out of her bedroom, down the hall and ran, giggling, down the stairs. She was thinking about the new friends she was going to meet today.

Anna slid on the wood floor, in her stockings, coming to a halt just as she heard her Mother call out, "Anna! Stop running down the stairs and come have your breakfast."