It was a Tuesday like any other when the tree spoke to Nell.
The day was oppressively humid, and Nell was sweaty, lost, and tired. How could she have got lost? It was just a scrap of woodland. You went in one end, kept going for a bit, then you came out the other side. Her brain always jumbled directions into a tangled mess.
She came to a chattering stream, knelt, and eagerly submerged her hands. She embellished this momentary relief by splashing water on her face. As droplets dripped off her nose, she leaned back against a tree behind her. Were all adventures frustrating? She supposed they were, but this one wasn’t fun anymore. She sighed forlornly.
“That way,” said the tree.
“Hello?” said Nell without moving.
“Quite right, I should introduce myself,” said the tree.
“But, but … Where are you? I can’t see you.” Nell stood up and made a circuit of the tree. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, she looked out into the woodland in consternation.
“Behind you. My name is difficult. For you, that is. It’s something like she who dances the twisting dance when the wind comes from behind and shows everyone up. How about you call me Dance…ee. Dancee.”
Nell turned to look at the tree. “Are you hiding in the tree?” she asked.
“You really should introduce yourself, you know.” The tree sounded put out.
Not wanting to cause further offence, Nell bowed. She’d never done before. “Hello Dancee. I’m Nell. I don’t mean to offend you, but are you somewhere in the tree? I’m struggling to see you.”
“That’s a philosophical point, in the tree. It’s probably easiest to say that I am the tree. Yes. Let’s leave it at that.”
Nell scrutinised Dancee. She peered up into the filigree of dappled light, looking for a prankster. Try as she might though, she could see nothing except trunk, branches, leaves.
Dancee shook, flowing herself in the movements which had inspired her name. “What do you think?” she asked. “The others complain that I’m showing off but I can’t help it. You know what it’s like, when the movement takes you and you can’t help but boogie with the winds.”
Nell didn’t feel that she could relate to this. “What did you mean when you said ‘that way’?” she asked.
“You’ve been going in circles,” replied Dancee. “Happens all the time here. Something in the air here befuddles people. I try and help, but usually when I tell people where to go, they run off screaming.”
“I think you’re very polite,” said Nell. She wasn’t sure what further conversation to have with a tree, this being the first one who’d spoken to her. She needed to get home for dinner anyway, or her mother would get cross. “Could you tell me again which way is ‘that way’?”
“Of course,” said Dancee. She shivered some branches at a cluster of shadows. “Come and visit any time. I’d love to dance for you again.” Nell took a few steps towards the shadows, suddenly realising that there was a path which she had completely failed to notice.
“I would like that very much,” said Nell. She waved goodbye and began towards the path. “Thank you Dancee. Have a lovely evening.”
Nell never found Dancee’s clearing again, but she planted many trees in her life. When no-one was looking, she greeted every tree she met, but only Dancee ever spoke to her.