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This story, I know, is true.

Many years ago a quiet woodsman lived alone on the edge of a forest that he loved most dearly. He loved the forest more than he could love any woman, for the forest was richer and full of life than any woman could ever be in his eyes. He spent all of his days rambling through the woods, protecting this sacred place, and caring for injured animals he happened to run across. He was a good and honorable man, always giving more than he would take, and he lived in harmony with the world.

Even so, he was still a man, and he found himself lonely away from the nearby villages. He tried again and again to find a wife or companion, but no one loved the forest enough to join him in his seclusion. Sad, the man sat in the moonlight and wished, in the deepest, quietest part of his soul, that he weren't so alone.

Now, the great Tree Spirit that lived in the center of the forest had long since been watching this man. She knew that he loved her and her children dearly, and that it was his faithful devotion to them that kept him so lonely. On a happy whim, she smiled, and decided to grant his wish.

"My children," she called through the forest, her rich voice echoing like a bell, "I have found this to be a good and honorable man. I do not wish him to be lonely- help me create for him a child."

From all corners of the forest came a brilliant array of creatures, each bearing a gift for the child. Rabbit brought swiftness, Raccoon brought generosity; from the Fish came joy, and from the Birds the gift of song. The turtles brought sweet patience, trailing behind the Snake who brought cunning- all of the animals were eager to please the man who had defended them so well.

Last of all came Deer, moving slowly because she was heavily pregnant. Butterfly rode on her delicate ear, keeping her company on the long trek; she looked around at the animals assembled there and nodded her head.

"The woodsman set my broken leg last spring, so that I was able to run again," she said clearly, and all of the animals stopped to listen. "I will give to him the twins that I carry, so that he may have twice the joy."

The Tree Spirit smiled sweetly and stroked her soft fur. "That is an honorable gift, and one filled with love," she said softly. Butterfly lifted himself from Deer's head and circled the clearing; when he came back down he carried light in his wings.

"I will give them the gift of light- the warmth of the Sun and the cool serenity of the Moon, so that they might always see the light in the hearts of others," he said joyously, and the Tree Spirit laughed.

"My children, they will truly be!" she sang, and gathered her companions close. "Now! We must give to him our gift."

* * * * *

The woodsman was out in the forest, enjoying the warmth of the summer sun, when he heard the strangest sounds coming from the brush. He stopped, tilting his head in confusion- he knew every sound the forest made, and that wasn't one of them. Carefully, he parted the branches around him, and came face to face with a mother deer and...two human babies?!

He drew in a sharp breath, and the mother looked up at him- but her eyes were gentle and she didn't seem startled at all. He stepped forward as he slowly pulled herself to her feet, but he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see who had invaded his forest as the mother deer reached out to nuzzle his hand.

He knew instantly that this had to be the Spirit he had felt watching him. She was beautiful, everything he loved about the forest made real- she smiled at him, and gestured to the babies.

"You will never again be alone," she whispered. "There is only one catch...when they are old enough, they will return to me for a month out of the year. Fear not, for they will always be your loving children." And then she was gone, as if she had never been.

* * * * *

The woodsman took the children home, followed faithfully by the mother deer, and raised them as his own. He named the boy Keita and the girl Aureli, and they went everywhere together. They were a happy, devoted family, and the children grew up strong and tanned by the sun from hours spent in the woods. Once they reached the age of ten they did indeed disappear into the forest for a month out of each year- it saddened the Woodsman and frightened him at first, but after they returned safe and sound he was able to draw a deep breath, accept the strangeness, and welcome them back home.

Their happiness, however, was not meant to last forever.