Prologue
A daughter. A father. A horse. A long, stretched grassy field surrounded by trees. Dandelions dancing in the wind. A road ahead, with a car passing by. Butterflies fluttering low near the ground, blackbirds gliding high in the sky. White clouds partially blocking the bright rays of the sun. Birds singing, bees humming, and the soft whispers of the father and daughter.
“Be careful now, Adelia. Horses are incredibly elegant creatures; they can sense your intentions before you even know them,” the father warned.
The young girl gently petted the horse near its nose. “Isn’t she beautiful, Papa?”
“Yes, she is.” The father smiled and kissed the crown of his daughter’s head.
“Can we keep her?” Her eyes were wide with anticipation.
The father chuckled. “No, my darling, she’s meant to be free. But we can visit her anytime you want.” A warm smile settled on his lips.
“Really?” The girl asked, her eyes even wider.
“Yes, really. But let’s say goodbye for now; your mother will have dinner ready soon.” The girl pouted but took her father’s hand and followed him home.
As they made their way through the tall grass, the girl swatted at a bee buzzing near her. “Adelia, don’t,” her father scolded gently.
“But why, Papa?”
“Bees are essential to life on Earth. Every creature—crawling, flying, running, or swimming—has an important role in keeping the balance of nature. If one is lost, the entire cycle can be disrupted. So, you must treat every animal with respect, Adelia. Never forget that.”
“Treat every animal with respect,” the girl repeated solemnly.
“Yes, that’s right,” her father praised.
And with that, they continued their walk home, hand in hand, through the whispering grass.
