Once upon a time, there was a woman named Elspeth. She lived in a small village on the edge of a great forest, and she loved nothing more than spending time in the woods. As a child, her grandmother had taught her the ways of the forest. When midsummer came around, the first year after Grandmother’s passing, Elspeth snuck out of the village to celebrate in her favorite grove alone.
She put on her finest dress and set out into the forest. She walked over hills and valleys, following the winding paths and listening to the sounds of the night. As the moon rose higher in the sky, Elspeth came to a clearing in the woods. In the center of the clearing stood a great oak tree, its branches reaching up to the stars. If there was anywhere that her grandmother’s spirit had come to rest, it would be there.
Elspeth lit a fire at the base of the oak tree and sat down to wait for the moon to rise. As she waited, she sang songs and told stories, calling out to the spirits of the forest and to the spirit of her grandmother.
When the moon finally rose above the trees, Elspeth stood up and danced. She twirled and spun, her dress billowing around her. She felt the magic of midsummer coursing through her veins, and she knew that anything was possible.
As the night wore on, Elspeth continued to dance. She felt the energy of the earth rising up to meet her, and she knew that she was part of something greater than herself. Just before the sun finally rose above the horizon, Elspeth heard a whisper in her ear. It was her grandmother’s voice, telling her that Elspeth could always find her there, among the oaks. The young woman collapsed onto the ground, exhausted but happy.
She knew that she would never forget the magic of that midsummer night, and that she would always be connected to the spirits of the forest, where her grandmother could hear her songs.