The Purpose of the Shadow
Sabilla loved to lean on old trees.
The shade was cool and bark felt chill on her skin.
A gentle breeze
that blew through the forest brushed gently against her cheek. Sometimes a beast of the forest would wander here to keep her company, be it a lonely bachelor wolf or a solitary bear. Sabilla felt a connection to the beasts, since they wouldn’t flee from her. They had an understanding, trust that could never be broken. Neither would hurt the other, and they would remain coexisting in harmony.
Sabilla’s eyes peered up at the light that trickled between the leaves. There was a time she yearned to feel the warmth and light, to be able to step out of the shadows and soar together with the birds. But that was never her purpose. She could live the light through her sister.
The dark, ever alert eyes turned to glance to nearby stream. There she was, the light of the forest. A small river splashed as Sorina made circles in it with her hands. The water reflected the sunlight onto her face and it made her skin look like it was glowing. Sabilla’s lips curved into a gentle, nurturing smile. Yes, there was a time she yearned for that light, of seeing things from a higher place. But it was not her place.
As Sabilla stood and started to walk back towards the court of the Forest King, Sorina shouted something after her before taking her ever so light steps to go after her sister. Sabilla only barely heard her steps, that’s how light and carefree they were. Sabilla’s were always strong and steady as a rock. There used to be a time she wanted to tread lightly and dance as she strayed from the path to chase the butterflies. But that was never meant to be her fate.
The court of the Forest King was magnificent. All walks of life came to the court as equals, united by the same energy that flows through the earth and air. There, on his mighty throne of wood and stone sat the Forest King, the father of life in this kingdom. Sabilla’s eyes were filled with respect, fear and love upon seeing her father. But she stayed away. Sorina rushed to her father’s arms, telling him about all the things she had seen today, and how it all made her so happy. Once Sabilla too wished to rush to her father’s arms with loud screams of joy, grasping him tightly and showing her affection. But that would never be her place. Instead, she calmly walked to sit beside her father, sharing a look of understanding and peace.
It was never Sabilla’s place to be up there soaring with the birds, or racing squirrels, or spreading light and joy. There used to be a time she wanted to be something she is not.
However, that used to be so. Much has changed since then, and envy and doubt of her circumstances no longer exist. Her father has taught her so much of how the forest works, how everything has a meaning.
So instead of thinking of whatever Sabilla could never be, she now thinks of the things she can do for the ones she loves. She can’t play with rabbits and make them happy, but she can lead a hungry bear to the fruitful berrylands on the door of winter. She can not help birds build nests when there are no materials, but she can help new sprouts grow to make new ones. Most importantly, she can not make peace with anyone who hurts her forest, but she can do whatever it takes to protect it. She can help protect the light, so that it would never go out. That was, and always will be her place.
(Credits: Photographer and antlers Anna Pyhäjärvi, models Blue and Red, styling and story by Red, assistants Suvi and Minttu. Thanks to everyone involved in this project!)
The shade was cool and bark felt chill on her skin.
A gentle breeze
Sabilla’s eyes peered up at the light that trickled between the leaves. There was a time she yearned to feel the warmth and light, to be able to step out of the shadows and soar together with the birds. But that was never her purpose. She could live the light through her sister.
The dark, ever alert eyes turned to glance to nearby stream. There she was, the light of the forest. A small river splashed as Sorina made circles in it with her hands. The water reflected the sunlight onto her face and it made her skin look like it was glowing. Sabilla’s lips curved into a gentle, nurturing smile. Yes, there was a time she yearned for that light, of seeing things from a higher place. But it was not her place.
As Sabilla stood and started to walk back towards the court of the Forest King, Sorina shouted something after her before taking her ever so light steps to go after her sister. Sabilla only barely heard her steps, that’s how light and carefree they were. Sabilla’s were always strong and steady as a rock. There used to be a time she wanted to tread lightly and dance as she strayed from the path to chase the butterflies. But that was never meant to be her fate.
The court of the Forest King was magnificent. All walks of life came to the court as equals, united by the same energy that flows through the earth and air. There, on his mighty throne of wood and stone sat the Forest King, the father of life in this kingdom. Sabilla’s eyes were filled with respect, fear and love upon seeing her father. But she stayed away. Sorina rushed to her father’s arms, telling him about all the things she had seen today, and how it all made her so happy. Once Sabilla too wished to rush to her father’s arms with loud screams of joy, grasping him tightly and showing her affection. But that would never be her place. Instead, she calmly walked to sit beside her father, sharing a look of understanding and peace.
It was never Sabilla’s place to be up there soaring with the birds, or racing squirrels, or spreading light and joy. There used to be a time she wanted to be something she is not.
However, that used to be so. Much has changed since then, and envy and doubt of her circumstances no longer exist. Her father has taught her so much of how the forest works, how everything has a meaning.
mSo instead of thinking of whatever Sabilla could never be, she now thinks of the things she can do for the ones she loves. She can’t play with rabbits and make them happy, but she can lead a hungry bear to the fruitful berrylands on the door of winter. She can not help birds build nests when there are no materials, but she can help new sprouts grow to make new ones. Most importantly, she can not make peace with anyone who hurts her forest, but she can do whatever it takes to protect it. She can help protect the light, so that it would never go out. That was, and always will be her place.
(Credits: Photographer and antlers Anna Pyhäjärvi, models Blue and Red, styling and story by Red, assistants Suvi and Minttu. Thanks to everyone involved in this project!)
Kommentit
Lähetä kommentti