Umbril scooped up the empty patch where her child's small shadow should be. Where did you go? she called beneath the golden trees.
Dry grass whispered, and Umbril darted toward the nearest hollow. She searched under a mushroom cap, behind a sunlit stone, and inside a cozy tree hollow.
Each place was empty. A pinecone rolled with a tiny clack. Umbril called, Come out, little shadow!
Umbril followed a trail of wiggly marks across the meadow. A rabbit-shaped shadow suddenly hopped from a bush, making Umbril jump.
Then it vanished, leaving only swishing leaves. Umbril continued her search.
Umbril climbed the hill and saw a small shadow waving from the top of a golden rock. I'm exploring! called the child.
Umbril rushed over, then stopped and watched as the child mapped the meadow with a twig.
Umbril sat beside the child and offered a patch of shade beneath a tall tree. Explore—and tell me where you go, Umbril said.
Together they watched their shadows stretch across the grass as the sun lowered.
The meadow grew quiet. The golden trees stood still. Umbril thought, Here we are.
Umbril stayed in the shade. The little shadow rested against her side.
Above them, the first star blinked awake. Umbril watched it, and waited for morning.
