Page 67 - North Star Magazine 2022

“Thank you for granting me vigorous gifts, oh Great Wind,” Beeatrisa said, ready to continue her journey.
The young girl was off, through the dark wood, toward the sound of the running river. Along Beeatrisa’s journey, the river always paralleled the path, behind the tall pines, but it finally caught up with her as it stood in the way of the old road. There were remains of an old foot bridge—as Beeatrisa assumed—was left from the merchants who traveled through the woods. The river cut through the path, which made it difficult for Beeatrisa to continue without asking for its assistance. The ripples of the water, flowing effortlessly over the rocks was a sound that comforted Beeatrisa. Feeling thirst from her journey and her lesson with the wind, she walked up to the river to take a sip of the crystal water.
“Hello, young one,” the river whispered through the waves. “I’ve been waiting for you to come to me. I’ve heard about your vigor from the wind.”
“I’ve gained the ability to move on, but I haven’t learned to remember,” Beeatrisa exclaimed. Although the wind told her to move on, she never wanted to forget her sweet grandmother.
“Losing someone doesn’t stop you from remembering them, young one,” the river said as it lapped on Beeatrisa’s feet like a friendly fawn. “If you love them enough, they will always be with you. Love is deeper than the physical world. Your grandmother will always be with you, like I, the water, am always present.”
“Every time your rains would fall on our heads, my grandmother and I would embrace you and frolic in the puddles that collected,” the girl said with a tear forming in her eye. Thinking back on the good times made Beeatrisa sad, but glad she created memories with her grandmother.
“When you see my rainfall, you’ll remember your beloved grandmother. However, just like the wind said, you must not dwell on her loss. You must be strong. You must be able to love again,” the river kindly explained.
“That is my goal, oh Mighty River. I want to learn to love again,” Beeatrisa said timidly. “Will you bless me with that gift?”
“It is time,” the river stated, the water moving faster against the rocks. “Remember the rain and cherish the moments of love you’ll have in the future.