Once upon a time, in a picturesque and tranquil village nestled on the edge of a sprawling forest near the town of Jokioinen in Finland, lived a young elf named Raspberry. She was a delightful creature with a sweet, dreamy personality, always ready to spread kindness and warmth. Her curly dark hair cascaded like a woodland spring, and her cheeks bore a perpetual ruddy glow, as the morning sun. She shared her cozy home with her loving parents and an adventurous little brother named Tomi. 

Raspberry had a cherished secret. Each afternoon, she would stealthily approach to the forest’s edge and quietly watch a young human girl named Anneli. The little girl with her radiant golden curls adorned with vibrant bows, danced through her garden like melodic wind. She spent her days swinging on a sturdy tree swing, hosting tea parties for her dolls, or gathering bouquets of wildflowers. Sometimes, she simply sat beneath the sky, gazing at the horizon, her thoughts as light and free as the drifting clouds. 

To Raspberry, Anneli was a vision of grace and possibility. Her pale, delicate skin seemed to glow, and every movement she made was poetry in motion. But it wasn’t just Anneli’s beauty that captivated Raspberry—it was her boundless potential as a human. Humans, Raspberry believed, had the world at their fingertips, free to explore, to dream, to achieve. Watching Anneli inspired the young elf, filling her heart with wonder and a yearning to experience life as a human. 

As seasons changed, Raspberry became a master of adapting to nature’s whims, braving rain, snow, and autumn’s chill just to catch a glimpse of Anneli. One crisp autumn afternoon, while sketching Anneli in her notebook, Raspberry heard a faint rustling nearby. She froze. The noise came again—crunch, crunch. Her heart fluttered like a startled bird. Who could it be? 

With cautious steps, she moved toward the sound. Pushing aside some brambles, she discovered a small creature hiding in the underbrush. “Come out!” Raspberry commanded, her voice wavering between firmness and fear. “I see you!” 

After a moment’s pause, a tiny hedgehog emerged, his plump form and twinkling eyes brimming with timidity. “My name is Breno,” he whispered. “I’ve been watching you… because I think you’re wonderful.” 

Raspberry’s surprise softened into amusement. “Spying isn’t very nice,” she said gently. 

“But you spy on the human girl every day,” Breno replied with unexpected boldness. 

Raspberry felt her cheeks flush, caught off guard by his honesty. “It’s… not the same,” she stammered. “Anneli is special. She’s human. She has a life full of possibilities.” 

Breno tilted his head. “And you don’t see how special you are? I’ve watched you cross rivers, climb icy trails, and brave thunderstorms—all just to sit here and watch her. That’s bravery, Raspberry. You see beauty in her world, but you bring beauty to your own. Don’t you realize how extraordinary that makes you?” 

Tears shimmered in Raspberry’s eyes, but they weren’t tears of sadness. They were born of a realization, a dawning warmth in her heart. Breno’s words were like sunlight breaking through stormy clouds. She reached down and hugged him carefully, mindful of his quills. 

From that day on, Raspberry and Breno became inseparable. They spent afternoons exploring the forest, climbing trees to marvel at breathtaking vistas, and sharing dreams under starlit skies. Sometimes, they still watched Anneli from afar, but now it was different. Raspberry no longer yearned to be human; she had found joy in the small, wondrous things around her—the gentle rustle of leaves, the melody of birdsong, and the steadfast friendship she shared with Breno, she even spent some afternoons playing with her mischievous little brother Tommi, whom she rarely spent time with before. 

Anneli remained an inspiration for Raspberry, a muse for her art and a symbol of the beauty in the world. But Raspberry’s dreams began to shift. She no longer longed for a life she didn’t have; instead, she embraced the magic of her own. With Breno’s friendship, Raspberry discovered not just the meaning of true companionship but also a newfound appreciation for her own bravery and uniqueness. 

Together, Raspberry and Breno wove their dreams into the fabric of the forest, their laughter and adventures adding vibrant threads to its story. And though Raspberry would always carry a soft spot for the human girl in her heart, she no longer watched with longing—but with a quiet, contented joy. 

And so, in the heart of the forest near Jokioinen, life bloomed brighter than ever, guided by the light of newfound friendship and self-discovery. 

The end.

by Georgina Jim