Just in the mid of night, many hours after the town drifted to the land of nod,

A small clearing of wood just to the north twinkled in the glow of the Moon. 

Tiny lights flickered, a welcome sight to the creatures under the canopy.

A soothing hum emitted from the Great Spirit as It patiently waited for Its children.

Timidly at first they entered, their paws tattered, their wings weary. All arrived, both friend and foe. They waited as the blessed glow of the moon washed over them and the Spirit's voice echoed through their souls. They sat and waited, their eyes gleaming at one another as they were restored, one by one. They bowed respectfully for the comfort of the wood and the bounty of food.

One by one their voices raised in song. The wood filled with their humble and broken stories; some of sorrow and joy. The Great Spirit listened silently, never interrupting at each concern, fear, and delight. Creatures from young to old began to shine as the colors of their burden rose above, combining with the Moon's glow. The songs careened overhead in their haunting beauty, a sea of discord reflecting the vivid array of colors in the eyes of Its children. The trees listened in patience before adding their own and soon all had lifted their voices high.

Still, the Great Spirit was careful to hear all of their precious songs. For all was meaningful to It. It waited in purpose as the last creature gave their tune. The air stirred a soft breath upon the creatures and a feeling of peace and meaning washed over their tired souls. Rejuvenated, they turned and left thanking the Great Spirit. 

The dawn's light began as the Spirit looked upon the town. It waited in silence.

As the Sun peeked over the hill, an enormous burst of light emitted from The Great Spirit. In joy and love, It looked upon Its children of light. As It hummed the psalm of life, sunbeams emanated from Its fingertips and toes; the harmony stretching across the bustling town.

Most of the men and women went about their day, attending to their chores. A few stopped to listen, and felt a gentle breeze wash over them. 

The children, however, stopped in their tracks. They turned their ears to the wood and smiled, basking in the beautiful hymn. The adults looked to their children in bewilderment, why did they do this every day? 

They scolded the children, believing this was a way to rebel.  Most of the older ones would heed to the adults demands, however, the youngest would argue and try to wander away. Day by day had gone the same, each child would stop, and each parent would scold.

Until the day arrived that the youngest child, Peter, could no longer stand the curiosity. He finished his chores and snuck away. "I'll be back before dinner and Mama will never know! I've finished my chores and she will be pleased,” he thought.

Feeling very proud indeed, he set forth to the wood. “Besides, I’ve been in the woods many times and nothing bad has ever happened,” he reasoned. He just had to see what made those beautiful sounds and feelings. He passed over the grassy hills as the lazy breeze tousled his dark locks.

Before he knew it, the woods were before him. The feelings became stronger and he stood outside bathing in its soothing melody. With his eyes closed, Peter waited; for what he did not know, but he waited just the same.

“Come child, come inside,” the voice beckoned. Hesitant at first, he pushed his way through the brush. Finally, Peter came to a clearing. He saw nothing, and yet he felt a strong presence filling the air, gently encircling him. “Wait,” It commanded, and then the air was silent. Though his legs became twitchy, and he knew his parents would be cross, he waited. 

Night fell slowly and he heard the town calling, but somehow Peter knew he must remain. Above all, he heard his mother's distress, and he felt guilty for worrying her. Still he waited patiently for the Spirit's return.

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Upon the eleventh hour, the town lit torches and marched toward the Northern Wood, calling out to him. After a while they reached the edge. It took every ounce of restraint not to call back as he patiently sat and waited.

When the townsfolk reached the clearing, they were shocked to find Peter. His mother was the first to bolt across and hug him tight. "Child, where have you been? Did you not hear us calling?" she asked. He looked up at his mother and answered, "I was told to wait."  "By whom boy? Is this some kind of joke?" "No Mama, a spirit told me,” Peter said.  Anger flashed in her eyes for a moment as she stared at him. 

Peter cringed in anticipation of angry words and pressed his eyes together. When nothing came, he slowly opened them and looked up. His mother was frozen in place, gawking before him. Peter turned his attention to the crowd, and realized she wasn't the only one. Everyone was staring in the same direction. Animals of every size and shape filled the clearing, and sat just beneath the glowing orb that floated in the center. It pulsed, radiating the most vivid array of colors Peter had ever seen.

Unsure of what to do, the awestruck townsfolk stood and looked on in silence. Each animal hesitated in front of the humans, but soon joined their voices in song. The people could not believe their ears; all the voices could be understood! Oh, what a sound! Utmost beauty, like nothing they'd ever heard. Had the animals always spoken with such clarity? They listened in reverie as the creatures thanked the Spirit above. 

The people were made giddy with the tales of frolicking through the woods, and the love the creatures felt for one another. They cried as the animals spoke of their hardships, and of their fears. 

They stood in silent shame at the animals’ sorrow of fading homes and lost loved ones. This song was the most heart-wrenching and all of the townspeople were given such pictures of the past, that some fell to their knees. Had they always been so selfish? Maybe, just maybe, the animals had been speaking to them all along. But they were too caught up in their daily lives to listen.

From the crowd a lone boy walked forward, it was Peter, the child that had brought all of them here. Fearless, he continued over to the animals and stopped just in front of their curious gazes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take your homes. It was wrong to leave you with no place to go. Please, won't you forgive me?" humbled before them, he offered his hand. The animals shifted uneasily and looked around for a trap. They eyed him for a long, long time. Minutes stretched by but still the boy waited, offering his kind smile and extended a hand.

Ever so slowly, a single wolf stepped forward. He sniffed at the child's hand, and Peter motioned with his other hand in caution to his mother’s outburst. The wolf met the boy’s gaze and saw within him no malice or ill will. With renewed confidence, he nuzzled against Peter's hand. 

The Great Spirit saw that this was good, and so the first animal to walk by man's side, was the wolf. Peter promised to care for the animal. To respect its home and do it no harm.

One by one, each person stepped forward, apologizing and bowing humbly before the animals. They offered their protection, the food from their town, and aid in tending to the land they had stripped away. Two by two, man and animal leave the clearing in tandem.

After this night, with each new generation, the townspeople walked with their young up to the forest on the clearest of Winter nights. They listened to the Great Spirit's song, and the voice of the creatures. 

Together both animal and man combined their voices, making a solemn promise to coexist and to respect one another. 

And so it continued until after many, many years, the Great Spirit rose to the heavens vowing to only return when animals or man could no longer hear each other's words of wisdom.