Ольга Дурбан
Tales of the Crystal Forest

Chapter 1: The Mysterious Call

Deep in the heart of the enchanting¹ Crystal Forest, where time seemed to stand still, lay a quiet little village. Small houses nestled beneath the lush canopies of ancient trees, their windows glowing with warmth and coziness. Children’s laughter echoed through the meadows, filling the air with life.

In this idyllic place lived an extraordinary² girl named Miranda. She was unlike other children, gifted with a rare and mysterious ability—she could see sounds. Each rustle³ of leaves, each whisper⁴ of the wind transformed into a swirl of colors, dancing before her eyes like living brushstrokes. Since childhood, she had understood the forest’s silent language, listening to its melodies⁵ and harmony.

Lately, however, something felt different. The music she had always heard in her mind was growing faint, distorted. The night before, a deep, unsettling⁶ sound had reached her—a whisper of many voices carried through the darkness. Were they real, or was the forest playing tricks on her? The question lingered even as morning arrived, the uneasy feeling refusing to fade.

"Darling, are you all right?" her mother asked gently, noticing Miranda's thoughtful gaze⁷ fixed on the window.

"Yes, but… the forest feels different today," Miranda replied slowly, trying to mask the uncertainty in her voice. She pushed her cup aside and turned to the trees beyond the glass. Their colors were not as vivid as usual.

Her father, watching her with curiosity⁸, said, "The forest is full of mysteries, but it is also full of life. If anyone can understand it, it's you."

Her mother rested a hand on Miranda’s shoulder. "Maybe a walk will ease your mind? Look at that beautiful sunshine. Perhaps it will chase away these troubling thoughts."

Miranda hesitated. The idea should have comforted her, but the strange feeling in her chest only deepened. Still, she nodded. "I think I'll do that."

Taking a deep breath, she quickly got dressed, her heart beating with a mixture of curiosity and unease. As she stepped outside, the cool morning air wrapped around her, crisp and full of the scent of earth and pine.

As soon as she entered the forest, Miranda noticed the changes. The flowers, which usually bloomed in vibrant⁹ shades, appeared wilted. The birds, whose melodies filled the air each morning, had fallen eerily silent. A heavy stillness lingered among the trees.

She stopped, closing her eyes. Taking a steadying breath, she reached for the familiar rhythm of the forest—soft chirps, the gentle rustling of leaves, the distant murmur of a flowing brook. But today, there was nothing.

No… not nothing. A whisper. Faint, distant, barely perceptible, laced with foreboding¹⁰, like the forest itself was holding its breath.

Something was calling her. And she knew—she could not ignore it.

To find the answers, she would have to go to the very heart of the Crystal Forest, where its oldest secrets lay waiting.

Vocabulary Practice

Match the words to their meanings:

1. enchanting

2. extraordinary

3. rustle

4. whisper

5. melodies

6. unsettling

7. gaze

8. curiosity

9. vibrant

10. foreboding

а) A quiet and soft voice or sound

b) Full of energy and bright colors

c) A soft, whispering sound of leaves

d) A magical and fascinating place

e) A long, fixed look at something

f) A strong feeling that something bad will happen

g) Very special or unusual

h) A strong desire to learn or know something

i) Disturbing, making someone feel uneasy

j) Beautifully arranged sequences of sounds

Fill in the blanks using the words from the list:

1. She felt a strange sense of foreboding before stepping into the dark cave, as if unseen eyes were watching her from within.

2. The leaves made a gentle rustle as the wind passed through the trees, whispering ancient secrets.

3. His gaze was fixed on the painting for a long time, lost in thought.

4. The forest was silent except for the faint whisper of the wind, carrying the echoes of something forgotten.

5. This town has the most vibrant streets, full of color and life, where music and laughter never fade.

Extended Practice:

Write a short paragraph (3–4 sentences) using at least three vocabulary words.

Find a synonym for each vocabulary word and use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you think Miranda's ability to see sounds helps her understand the forest?

2. Why do you think the birds are silent and the flowers are wilted?

3. If you had a special gift like Miranda, what would it be?

4. Have you ever felt a sense of foreboding before? What happened?

5. How does silence in nature create different emotions? Does it feel peaceful or unsettling to you?

Vocabulary Notes:

¹ enchanting– magical, fascinating

² extraordinary – very special, unusual

³ rustle – soft, whispering sound of leaves or fabric

⁴ whisper – soft, quiet speech or sound

⁵ melodies – beautifully arranged sequences of sounds

⁶ unsettling – disturbing, making someone feel uneasy

⁷ gaze – a long, fixed look at something

⁸ curiosity – a strong desire to learn or know something

⁹ vibrant – full of energy and bright colors

¹⁰ foreboding – a strong feeling that something bad will happen

Chapter 2: The Encounter

The forest greeted Miranda with a cool breeze¹ and the fresh scent² of pine. Sunlight filtered³ through the dense canopy, casting playful shadows⁴ on the ground. Guided by an unseen force⁵, she walked deeper into the woods, her heart beating in sync with the whispering leaves around her.

Suddenly, she stepped into a peculiar clearing⁶—perfectly round, blanketed with red flowers that swayed ever so slightly, as if stirred by an invisible breath. At the edge of the clearing, where the towering trees formed a protective barrier⁷, she saw it—a magnificent white unicorn. Its mane shimmered⁸ with colors that danced like liquid light, and its eyes held the wisdom of centuries.

"Who are you?" Miranda whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft rustlingof the wind.

The unicorn stepped forward, each movement filled with grace⁹. A comforting warmth¹⁰ radiated from its presence, wrapping around Miranda like a gentle embrace.

"I am Indigo," it spoke, its voice smooth and rich¹¹ like a melody woven into the wind. "The forest has sent me to you because you are its voice. You hear its pain, and it has chosen you."

Miranda felt a jolt of recognition. She had seen him before—in dreams, in echoes of the wind, in glimpses of color that faded before she could grasp them.

"Something is wrong with the forest," Miranda murmured, her voice tinged with sadness. "It is losing its colors, its music. I feel it, and it frightens me."

Indigo nodded solemnly. "I feel it too. The magic is fading, and we must uncover the reason before it is too late. Will you help me?"

Miranda looked into the unicorn’s wise, knowing eyes. A strange warmth spread through her chest—fear and doubt melting away, replaced by a quiet determination. She knew there was danger ahead, but the thought of saving the forest filled her with purpose.

"Yes," she said firmly. "I will help. The forest is my home, and I will do everything I can."

And so, their journey began—a journey into the heart of a mystery that threatened to silence the magic of the Crystal Forest forever.

Vocabulary Practice

Match the words to their meanings:

1. cool breeze

2. fresh scent

3. filtered

4. playful shadows

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