In the small town of Kwai Yangji where the streets curved like the gentle bends of a river and the trees whispered secrets in the cool breeze, life moved slowly. The town people shared smiles easily and held doors open for one another, but in quiet corners, shadows of the unknown lingered, waiting for the right moment to emerge.

Agatha Franklin is a devoted mother to thirteen-year-old Satas. She loved her daughter fiercely, embodying the fierce protectiveness that comes with motherhood. Satas was a bright child, known for her curiosity, always asking questions and diving headfirst into adventure. Agatha often found comfort in that vivid mind of her daughter’s, until one chilly evening when everything changed.

It began with a simple story Satas told, one laced with magic and mystery. “Mom,” she said one evening while they prepared dinner, her small hands meticulously chopping vegetables, “I met someone in the woods today. They’re... not like anyone else.” Agatha paused, wiping her hands on her apron. “What do you mean, honey?”

Satas’ blue eyes sparkled with excitement, but there was something deeper beneath her enthusiasm. “They have long hair that floats like wisps of smoke and eyes that shine like stars. They said their name is Farbs .” Agatha felt a chill creep down her spine, the hairs on the back of her neck standing straight. “Satas, was this a game? Or maybe you just imagined it?”

“No, Mom! They’re real! They showed me how to listen to the trees, and they helped me find a hidden path.” Satas’ voice was insistent, yet it trembled with an intensity that propelled Agatha into a world of uncertainty. What had once been a harmless bedtime story began to unravel into something deeper, a stirring that tugged at Agatha's heart.

That night, as Agatha tucked Satas into bed, the moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the room. “Do you promise to be careful?” Agatha whispered, heart filled with worry. Satas nodded, her expression earnest. “Promise, Mom. Farbs are kind. They want to show me things.”

I know all these are figments of your imagination Satas, you are just thirteen so promise mama again that whatever the "Farbs" tells you, you will let mama know.

I promise mommy, I will never keep any secret from you, Satas said as she finally dozed off.

The next morning, Agatha made breakfast and went into Satas' room to call her but surprisingly she met Satas talking to an invisible creature and because of the concentration of Satas' attention on the creature, she didn't even notice the presence of her mom.

Satas! Agatha called with anger in her voice.

Yes mama, I was talking to the Farbs and they…

Come out for breakfast and please no more Farbs Satas. Said Agatha as she departed from Satas' room.

Days turned into weeks, and as Satas continued her visits to the woods, her stories grew more vivid and perplexing. She spoke of invisible boundaries filled with laughter, whispering secrets about the past, and spirits that danced under the moonlight. With every tale, Agatha’s heart swelled with pride for her daughter’s imagination, but it also tightened with fear. What was she exposing Satas to? Were these creature encounters simply figments of childhood creativity, or was there something deeper at play?

One day, while Satas was at school, Agatha ventured into the woods alone, a mixture of maternal love and trepidation guiding her steps. As she walked, she felt the air shift; the woods felt alive, almost waiting for her. The trees loomed tall, their branches intertwined like fingers knitting a web of magic. It was mesmerizing and terrifying all at once. Agatha’s heart raced with each step deeper into the wilderness.

She reached a clearing, and the atmosphere hummed with a nearly palpable energy. Suddenly, a figure stepped into view. It was ethereal, shimmering in the dappled light. “Welcome, Agatha.” The voice was melodic, both inviting and unsettling. Agatha’s breath caught in her throat. “Who are you?”

“I am Farbs,” they said, their presence ethereal as they lifted a hand, long fingers gesturing to the vibrant world around her. “I’ve shared stories with Satas, and she listens with an open heart. She sees the world as it once was, teeming with wonder.”

Agatha felt her defenses rise. “But she’s just a child. This isn’t right.”

“Is it not?” Farbs asked, their gaze penetrating. “This world is one of many, and the unknown holds wisdom unseen. Your fear may blind Satas to the wonders that await her.”

A tempest of emotions swirled within Agatha. She thought of Satas' laughter, her boundless imagination, the way her eyes sparkled with life. Was she protecting her, or was she trapping her in mundane safety? The dilemma warred within her: fear of the unknown versus longing for her daughter to explore and grow.

“Satas is precious to me,” Agatha finally whispered, the weight of her fear evident in her voice. “I want to keep her safe.” Farbs tilted their head, understanding shining in their eyes. “Safety often comes at a cost, my dear. Will you allow her the freedom to discover while still guiding her with love?”

Tears brimmed in Agatha’s eyes as she realized the gravity of her choice. To let go was to trust, to believe in Satas’ abilities, and to confront the shadows that whispered warnings in her mind. “I want her to be safe, and I want her to know she can come to me with anything,” Agatha said, her voice steadying.

As Agatha returned home, the moon cast silvery light through her window. Satas sat on her bed, sketching furiously, her imagination spilling onto the pages. Agatha smiled, brushing her daughter’s hair back, making a decision in her heart. She would support Satas' explorations, not stifle them.

“And hey,” Agatha said, sitting beside her. “Tell me more about Farbs.”

Satas' eyes lit up as she recounted her latest encounters. Agatha leaned in, absorbing every word. She realized that while the unknown could be daunting, it also held the promise of adventure, learning, and growth. She didn’t have to hold Satas back; she could walk with her into the unknown, hand in hand, discovering wonders together.

In that moment, Agatha chose to embrace the stirrings of the unknown—not as something to fear but as a part of life’s beautiful, intricate dance. The woods would weave magic into their lives, and Agatha now, was ready to join the adventure.

After Agatha's encounter with the Farbs, she made up her mind to allow Satas explore as it was a part of a good childhood.

One day, when Satas was dismissed from School instead of going straight home, she went to the forest to meet with the Farbs and this continued.

One morning, Agatha confronted her thirteen year old daughter about her recent attitudes.

Mom; you said I could go to the Farbs anytime and here I am doing what you told me. Am I not mom?

Satas, mind the way you speak to me, Agatha said as she departed into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Fine mommy, Said Satas as she took her school bag and banged the door without having her breakfast.

Satas! Satas!! Agatha called out to her but there was no response.

What am I going to do now, Agatha asked herself rhetorically.

***

Satas was thinking about the conversation she and her mom had at home as voices kept resounding in her head.

"Who does she think she is by the way, one said; does she think she owns you? The other whispered.

No, no, Said Satas as her teacher Mrs Neny intervenes.

Are you alright Satas, she asked and immediately Satas held her neck and raised her up and whispered to her; Mind your damn business.

All the students, perplexed by what Satas was doing, ran out of the Classroom.

Mr Rogers ( The head teacher) saw them and requested an explanation, the pupils explained and he immediately ran to Satas class but shockingly, Satas and Mrs Neny were having a very nice chat.

Mrs Neny scaringly told the head teachers that it was a prank organized by her and her students.

Mr Rogers scolded her and told her to make sure her class is well organized and coordinated.

After dismissal, Mrs Neny tendered her resignation letter and quit her job.

That day, Satas went home happily and slept without a word or an answer to her mother.

***

The next morning, Satas went to her mom and apologized for being rude yesterday and then narrated everything that happened in the school to her mom.

What? You did that, asked Agatha.

No, no, mom, all that was my imagination and it happened because my teacher said magical creatures are not real.

Satas, you are just thirteen years old, please don't let your imagination grow into a case study.

Okay mommy said Satas as she went out to play with a neighbor's child.

***

It had been a gloomy afternoon when Satas again saw the Farbs and at this time, not in the woods but in Agatha's home.

Mom! Mom!!, Satas called.

This was the first time Agatha laid eyes on the Farbs properly. She was very perplexed when she saw the—curious little creatures no taller than her knee, with skin that shimmered like a freshly polished gemstone. The Farbs had come from the woods, their laughter echoing like chimes carried on the wind. They were mischievous, yes, and their eyes sparkled with the kind of mischief that could turn an ordinary day into an adventure. They had offered Agatha and Satas a taste of their enchanted berries, promising an afternoon filled with wonder and joy.

And wonder it had been, with swirling colors, laughter, and stories from a world Agatha had long thought she had outgrown. She watched as Satas transformed under the spell of their joy, her laughter mingling with the Farbs’ like a melody. For a brief moment, Agatha revisited her own carefree childhood, filled with vivid dreams and endless explorations.

But the moment was ephemeral. The sun began to dip below the horizon, the chirps of the evening crickets drowned out by the rustling leaves signifying that it was time to return. A part of Agatha wished they stay, to explore that world where magic mingled with reality, but the protective instinct of a mother took over, and they quickly said their goodbyes.

When the Farbs left; Agatha could still picture the colors of the Farbs’ world still dancing in her mind. But returning to the mundane felt heavy in her heart. As she tucked Satas into bed that night, Agatha found herself grappling with a profound realization. She had restricted Satas for far too long, keeping her precious child within the confines of safety while denying her the chance to explore, to discover, and to grow.

The very next day, Agatha sat Satas down. "You remember the Farbs?" she asked, her voice soft, her mind teeming with fresh thoughts.

"Yes, Mama! The Farbs are my friends and I have told them to come visit anytime. Please can we see them again?" Satas’ eyes sparkled with excitement.

Agatha took a deep breath. "I think it’s time you had the chance to explore. You’re growing up, and adventure is part of a good childhood."

Satas’ face was a mixture of disbelief and pure joy. "Really? You mean it? I can go outside and see what I can find?"

“Of course, but let’s make it safe and structured,” Agatha replied, a little of her caution creeping back in. “We’ll have boundaries, but I want you to experience things, to learn about the world, just like I did.”

And so it began. Over the following days and weeks, Satas explored the valley that cradled their village. With Agatha at her side, they ventured to the edge of the woods, where the sunlight dappled through the trees and where laughter echoed from hidden glades. They discovered the sparkling brook that babbled secrets of the earth, etched patterns in the muddy banks, and observed the tiny creatures that called it home.

With each adventure, Agatha found herself loosening the firm grip she had held over Satas' life. They made flower crowns, had picnics under the old oak tree, and even built a fort from sticks and leaves. Satas’ laughter filled the air, a sound so pure and invigorating that it breathed life back into Agatha’s own spirit.