The Magical Aleph Bet Forest Adventure

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, you lived near a forest that the older children talked about in whispers. This was no ordinary forest. They said the letters of the Aleph Bet glowed among the trees.

Curiosity got the better of you. Off you went to see what all the fuss was about.

At the edge of the forest, two great trees touched high above the path, forming an entrance. Behind you, the sun shone. Between the trees, it looked as dark as night. Should you go in?

You really wanted to learn the Aleph Bet, just as the older children had. But now you had that first day of school feeling. Your feet wanted to go forward, and your tummy wanted to stay right where it was.

So you took one step. Then another.

Just beyond the trees, a golden letter floated in the air. Standing on tiptoe, you reached out and touched it. Suddenly, a bright light spilled across the path. In the middle of it lay a lion. Wow!

“Welcome, friend. I’m Aryeh,” said the lion. “And that letter you found is Aleph.”

Aryeh waited while you caught your breath. Then he lowered his great golden head until his eyes were level with yours. You reached out and felt the soft fur between his ears.

“Aleph is the first letter in ahava,” he said. “That’s our Hebrew word for love.”

You sat together for a moment. You could hear the leaves rustling and the lion’s breathing.

“Now listen to Aleph,” Aryeh whispered.

“Before we speak, we listen,” said Aleph. “Try being silent for a moment. In English, silent and listen use the very same letters.”

You grew quiet. Somewhere in the forest, a twig snapped.

“Find the letters in order,” said Aryeh. “Each will show you the way to the next and teach you something along the way.”

Aryeh tipped an ear toward the trees. From farther down the path came a sweet little tune. “Follow that sound. Bet is waiting.”

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

Ahead of you, a blue bird hopped from branch to branch, singing the tune you’d heard beside Aryeh. You followed until the bird landed at a nest that looked remarkably like a house. Bright balloons bobbed at the entrance.

“friend, come into my bayit,” said the bird. “I’ve just poured some chocolate milk.”

Inside, a golden Bet glowed beside a tiny window. You took a long sip. The room smelled like warm wood and felt as cozy as your own home.

“Why do birds build nests?” asked the bird.

“To keep their babies safe?”

“That’s part of it,” said the bird. “When they learn to fly, they’ll know where they can come back to.”

You looked out at the enormous forest. It felt good to know that your home would be there when you got back, too.

“Before you go, I have a bracha for you,” said the bird. “May your own home be a place of warmth and comfort for everyone who visits you.”

You thanked the bird and untied the balloons at the door. You thought they might float along above you. Instead, they pulled your heels off the ground.

“Hold tight!” called the bird.

“Safe travels!” called out Bet.

Up you went, past the roof of the little house. The bird waved from the branch. Beyond the treetops, a grey cloud was rolling in.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

The first raindrop landed on your nose. Then the balloons lifted you a little higher, and the rain began to fall beneath your feet.

“Geshem,” you whispered. You watched it patter on the leaves and run in little rivers down the bark. The flowers below lifted their heads. You wondered if the flowers in your own garden were getting a drink too.

A glowing letter drifted toward you. It was tall enough to make you think of a camel stretching its neck to reach a leaf.

“Shalom, friend,” it said. “I’m Gimel.”

You held the balloon strings in one hand and reached out with the other. Gimel was cool to the touch, like a smooth stone after rain.

“Do you see that little patch of green?” asked Gimel.

You looked down. A plant that had been drooping by the path was standing a little straighter.

“It only needed a drink,” you said.

“And the cloud had one to spare,” said Gimel.

The rain softened. A young deer stepped out to drink from a puddle. As if the balloons knew it was time, they lowered you until your shoes touched the wet path. You tied the strings to a low branch so they could dry in the breeze.

“Remember,” said Gimel as you set off, “even a small act of kindness can brighten someone’s day.”

Through the trees ahead, you saw a door standing all by itself.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

As you neared the door, you spotted another forest friend inside. It was Dov the bear. He beckoned you closer. “Come in!”

You’d begun to feel hungry. Dov sat eating a honey and peanut butter sandwich, with a little honey on his nose.

“Shalom!” he said. “There’s enough for two.”

Peanut butter and d’vash sandwiches were your favourites from home. You sat beside Dov and told him about the balloons. He listened all the way to the part where your feet touched the ground again.

Then the door gave a soft golden glow.

“What makes your delet so special?” you asked.

“Watch,” said Dov. He opened it a little wider.

A tiny mouse stood at the threshold. The mouse looked at the table, then back at the path.

Dov beckoned to the mouse. “Come in.” He broke off a piece of his sandwich and set it on a little plate. The mouse stepped inside.

Above the doorway, a golden Dalet lit up. You saw how a door could make room for someone, just as Dov had made room for you.

Dov handed you a small golden key.

“What does it open?” you asked.

“The doors that kindness creates.”

You tucked it into your pocket. The room was warm, and after the climb and the rain, your eyes were beginning to close.

As you began drifting off to sleep, you heard Dov whisper, “Open your heart to new friends and new beginnings.”

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

You curled up beside Dov and fell asleep. When you awoke, Dov was still there. A butterfly rested on the windowsill, and a warm light floated just beyond your nose.

You breathed out. The light formed a little golden letter.

“Hey,” said Dov.

You thought he was greeting you, so you said, “Shalom.”

Dov laughed softly. “That’s its name. Look again.”

You let out another breath. There it was, the letter ה, Hey, floating in the air for a moment before it melted away.

“Breath is a special gift,” said Dov. “You’ve had it with you all day.”

You hadn’t paid much attention to it until now. You took a gentle breath and let it go slowly. This time, you could feel your shoulders relax.

“I think I’ll remember that when the path gets dark,” you said.

At the doorway, you stopped to thank Dov for the sandwich and the key. Then you took one more breath. A golden mist drifted from your mouth and curled around you like a scarf.

As you were leaving, Dov said, “Keep noticing the beauty around you with curiosity and joy.”

You could still smell honey on your fingers. Ahead, the trees were beginning to darken, but you felt ready to go. Something green stretched between two branches, catching the last of the light.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

The green thing was a vine. It curled around one tree, stretched across the path, and curled around another. A little golden mist from Hey still clung to your shoulders as you stepped closer.

“Shalom!” said the vine.

“You can talk?”

“Of course,” it said. “I’m Vav. Watch what I can join.”

A bee landed on a flower. Two squirrels scampered along the vine from opposite trees and met in the middle. The branch dipped as they bumped noses.

Then Aleph and Bet floated down and settled beside each other. Together they made the word av, father. Vav curled into place at the beginning. Now the word said ve’av, and a father.

“Such a little word,” you said.

“Little enough to fit between two big ideas,” said Vav.

You thought about all the people who helped you grow. Some lived close by. Others were far away. You could still think of something that joined you to each one.

Vav looped a little tendril around your wrist like a friendship bracelet. Then the vine stretched ahead through the trees.

“Follow me as far as I go,” said Vav. “And wherever you go next, bring people together through friendship and caring.”

You did. At the end of the vine, something bright zipped across the path.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

Zip! Zoom! Zig-zag!

Tiny golden lights raced around the end of Vav’s vine. One stopped in front of you and spun until it formed the letter ז, Zayin.

“Shalom, friend!” laughed the letter. “I’m Zayin.”

A zebra trotted out from behind a tree. Golden sparks danced along the stripes. The zebra took two careful steps, then spun so fast that a whole pile of leaves flew up.

You laughed and nearly fell over.

“That’s my friend,” said Zayin. “Always ready to make a little joy.”

The zebra tried the same turn again and landed in the leaves. This time, both of you laughed. You clapped a rhythm and the zebra tried to follow it, getting the last beat quite wrong.

“Do you want to try?” asked Zayin.

You stamped once. The zebra stamped back. Soon you were making up a dance as you went.

When the lights began to settle, Zayin caught a spark and placed it in your hand. It was small enough to tuck beside Dov’s key.

“A reminder to share your enthusiasm and help others smile,” said Zayin.

You took two more dancing steps down the path. Then you noticed flowers on either side of a gate, and you slowed down to see what was growing there.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

A small turtle was making his way across the path. When a butterfly brushed past, Chaim tucked his head into his shell. A moment later, he peeked out again.

Behind the turtle, two posts and a beam stood at the entrance to the garden. Together, they formed the shape of the letter ח, Chet.

“Welcome, friend,” said Chaim the turtle, opening the gate.

Inside, birds nestled among tall flowers. A rabbit slept in the shade. You could hear the forest outside, but the sound was softer here.

“Why does the garden need a gate?” you asked.

“To give the little things time to grow,” said Chaim. “Look beside your foot.”

Tiny shoots were pushing through the soil. Now that you were looking closely, the garden seemed full of little things growing.

You thought of Hey and let out a gentle breath. The golden mist appeared around your shoulders. It reminded you of sitting beside Dov, where you’d felt safe enough to fall asleep.

Chaim stretched out of his shell. “This is my bayit, my home. Some things that shelter us are easy to see. Some we can feel.”

“Like when someone stays with you?” you asked.

“Exactly,” said Chaim. “Care for others and help everyone feel safe and welcome.”

Chaim nodded and placed a golden leaf shaped like ח in your palm. You tucked it beside Zayin’s spark. At the far gate, Chaim lifted one little foot to wave. You waved back, then followed the path into the shade.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

The path grew quiet. Specks of light flashed in the dark. You followed them to a cave whose mouth curved like the letter ט.

Inside, crystals threw tiny stars across the walls. Golden coins lay in heaps. A letter glowed in the middle of it all.

“I’m Tet,” it said. “Can you find my greatest treasure?”

You pointed to a jewel as big as your fist.

Tet smiled. Behind the jewel, a tiger cub was trying to hide.

“This is Tovi,” said Tet. “Tov means good.”

Tovi took one small step forward. Then a bird chirped from a dark corner. A fallen branch had pinned one of its wings.

The cub hurried across the cave. You held the little bird still while Tovi pushed the branch aside. The bird flapped once, then flew out into the light.

You looked back at Tovi. The cub’s paws were trembling a little. Tovi had helped anyway.

“Did you find the treasure?” asked Tet.

You nodded toward the cub.

Tet placed a warm gemstone in your hand. Its shape was a tiny ט. You slipped it into your pocket and waved goodbye to Tovi. “Discover your gifts,” said Tovi, “and remember to use them to do good.”

Outside, a point of light hovered above a flower. It was smaller than any jewel in the cave.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

The light above the flower was so small that you took it for a firefly. Then it curved into the letter י and floated down to your palm.

“Shalom, friend,” it whispered. “I’m Yud.”

“I could almost close my hand around you,” you said.

“Come and see what else would fit.”

Yud led you to an oak whose branches seemed to hold up the sky. At its roots lay an acorn.

“Could that great tree really begin with something this small?” you asked.

Yud nodded. The little letter rose again, and the letters you’d met so far appeared among the branches. You saw a tiny point of light wherever a letter began to take shape. In your mind, you called them out. There was Aleph, and there shone Bet, Gimel, Dalet, Hey, and Vav. As you looked around, Zayin flickered, and Chet and Tet were there too.

“Every story begins with a letter,” said Yud. “And a friendship can begin with one shalom.”

You thought about how the mouse had looked when Dov invited it in. It had taken only a few words and a piece of sandwich.

Yud set a star no bigger than a raindrop in your hand. “The Spark of Possibility,” said Yud. “Even a tiny act of kindness can make a big difference.”

You put it beside Tet’s gemstone. Then you watched Yud rise into the sky until you couldn’t tell the tiny light from the stars.

Ahead, the path climbed into a bank of silver clouds.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

Above the trees floated a silver cloud shaped like an open hand. It lowered until it brushed the path, then curled into the glowing letter כ.

“I’m Kaf,” said the cloud. “Come, friend, and see what your hands can do.”

In a clearing ahead, a koala stood beside a little wooden gate. Beyond it, a bird was stretching for a berry. A squirrel was trying to roll a nut over a root. In a sunny patch, a little flower drooped.

You reached into your pocket. Dov’s key fitted the gate. Once it swung open, you could bend the branch close enough for the bird to pluck the berry.

You held the nut steady while the squirrel climbed over the root. Then you used Chet’s leaf to shade the flower while the koala fetched water.

“I didn’t give away very much,” you said when you were done.

The koala held out two open palms. “The squirrel could have pushed that nut all morning. You stopped and helped.”

You looked at your hands. There was a smudge of dirt on one thumb.

Kaf smiled. “How else could you use your hands to help, give, and share?”

You were still thinking about that when you noticed a tree so tall that its top disappeared into the clouds.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

A lamb stood at the foot of the tallest tree you’d ever seen. Its trunk curved at the top like the letter ל, Lamed. You opened your mouth to say how tall it was, but the lamb tipped one ear upward.

“Wait until you see the view from the top!” called a voice.

An owl with silver and gold feathers fluttered down. “I’m Yanshuf. This is Lamed. Would you like to see what you can find from a little higher up, friend?”

The first branches were easy. Then your foot slipped.

“I don’t think I can,” you said.

“Did you know all the letters when you came into the forest?” asked Yanshuf.

“No.”

“And here you are.”

You looked for the next branch and reached for it. The lamb was still below, watching. Higher up, words glowed on the leaves. You could read kindness, joy, and friendship. Those leaves felt like old friends.

At the top, you could see water shining between distant trees.

“Will I ever be done learning?” you asked.

Yanshuf laughed. “I hope not.”

Yanshuf gave you a golden acorn shaped like ל. “The Seed of Learning. See what grows if you keep asking questions. And remember to share what you discover with others.”

You climbed down, one branch at a time. At the bottom, the lamb was waiting. Beside the lamb stood an old friend…

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

At the foot of Lamed’s tree, a familiar letter was waiting.

“Aleph! What are you doing here?”

Aleph smiled. “friend, do you remember what we learned at the forest gate?”

“Before we speak, we listen.”

Aleph nodded and slipped away between the trees.

Then you heard it. Mmmmmmmm…

You followed the soft hum to a pond. Moonlight rippled across the water as an otter slipped past. A silver shape rose and curved into the letter מ, Mem.

“I’m Mem,” said the letter. “Tell me, who are you becoming?”

You had been ready to tell Mem all the letters you knew. But this was a different sort of question.

The pond grew still. In the water, you saw yourself opening the little gate in Kaf’s clearing. Then you saw your foot slip on Lamed’s tree and watched yourself reach for the branch again.

Splash! A little golden fish popped out of the water.

“I’m Mira!” she said. Then her voice grew quieter. “I’ve been practising that jump all day. Did you see it?”

“I did,” you said. “Would you show me again?”

You stayed to watch. This time, when Mira jumped, you were ready to clap. Mira beamed. You could see how much it meant to her that you had stayed.

Before you left, Mem gave you a silver droplet with tiny stars floating inside.

“The Drop of Reflection,” said Mem. “When the world gets noisy, take a quiet moment. Notice how others feel, and respond with care.”

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

The path opened into a sunny meadow. A stream ran beside it. Among the little green shoots stood a glowing letter.

“Shalom, friend,” said the letter. “I’m Nun. Welcome to the Garden of Growth.”

A snail was crossing the path. It had barely reached the edge of a leaf.

“Do you ever wish you could go faster?” you asked.

“Sometimes,” said the snail. “But look how far I’ve come since breakfast.”

A silver trail stretched all the way to the stream. Slowly, the snail was getting where it wanted to go.

Nun asked if you’d like to plant something. You took out Lamed’s golden acorn, dug a hole, and covered it with soil. Then you sat back on your heels.

Nothing happened. You leaned closer. Still nothing.

“Give it a little water,” said Nun. “Then let’s see how far our friend grows.”

You poured water over the soil. By the time the snail reached the other end of the leaf, a green tip had begun to push through the earth.

“Already?”

“Outside this forest, an acorn takes much longer,” said Nun. “Even here, the roots had to begin where you couldn’t see them.”

Nun gave you a glowing Seed of Patience. “Keep trying,” said Nun, “and take one small step at a time.” You tucked it into your pocket and left the acorn where it was. You hoped the snail would come back one day to rest in its shade.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

Beyond Nun’s meadow, flowers grew in a ring around an old oak. Even the butterflies flew in circles.

Something round and golden rolled out from behind the tree.

“Shalom, friend! I’m Samech.”

“You look like a big hug,” you said.

Samech laughed. Before the letter could answer, a little voice cried, “Help!”

A squirrel clung to a branch high above you. You reached up, but the branch was too high.

“Samech,” you said, “I think I need help too.”

A familiar green vine curled around the trunk. It was Vav! Yanshuf fluttered onto a branch below the squirrel, and Dov came to stand beside you. Samech rolled around the oak, casting a warm circle of light.

“Try this branch,” called Yanshuf.

The squirrel found the vine and put one foot on the branch. Then came another step, and another, until the squirrel was low enough to hop into your arms.

“I did it!” said the squirrel.

You laughed. You’d wanted to help, and asking for help had been the first thing that worked. With everyone’s help and encouragement, the squirrel had found a way down.

Samech placed a little golden ring in your palm. “The Circle of Friendship. Keep it for a day when you need someone beside you. And when a friend needs encouragement, help them keep going.”

When you looked back from the path, the squirrel was still sitting beside Dov, telling everyone how the branch had looked from up high.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

Beyond Samech’s circle, the forest grew darker. Two golden eyes blinked from a branch overhead.

“Yanshuf!” you said as an owl swooped down. A rabbit looked up from beside the stream.

“My name is Ayin,” said the owl. “Yanshuf is my cousin. Ayin is also the Hebrew word for eye. Come and see what you notice, friend.”

The rabbit sat very still under a tree.

“What do you see?” asked Ayin.

“A rabbit.”

You looked a little longer. The rabbit’s eyes were fixed on a basket across the shallow stream. Three carrots poked out of the top.

“Are those yours?” you asked.

The rabbit nodded. “I dropped the basket when I jumped across.”

You stepped over the stones, picked up the basket, and brought it back. The rabbit pulled out the smallest carrot and held it up to you.

“You can have this one.”

You sat together and ate. Above you, a golden cloud curled into the shape of ע, Ayin.

“Close your eyes for a moment,” said Ayin.

You thought about all the good the forest animals had done, and how much their help had meant to you.

You heard the water slip past the stones and felt the wind on your cheek. When you opened your eyes, Ayin gave you a golden feather. “The Feather of Understanding. Take it with you when you need to look a little closer. Look for the good in others, and try to understand how they feel.”

You tucked it away and followed the stream. Farther down the path, someone was singing.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

The singing you’d heard beyond Ayin’s stream led you to a little stone bridge. A squirrel sat on the wall with an acorn tucked under one paw.

The squirrel sang three bright notes. On the fourth, the voice squeaked. Two frogs on a nearby stone giggled. The squirrel stopped singing and looked down at the water.

A golden letter floated up from under the bridge. “I’m Pey,” it said. “Peh is the Hebrew word for mouth. Mine can sing, ask questions, and say things someone might need to hear.”

You almost said, “Sing it again!” Then you remembered what Ayin had taught you and took a moment to look. The squirrel was holding the acorn so tightly that its cap had cracked.

“I liked the first part of your song,” you said. “Would you like me to hum it with you?”

The squirrel nodded. You hummed the three notes you remembered. The squirrel joined in, quietly at first. The fourth note squeaked again.

“That part’s tricky,” said the squirrel.

“We can try it slowly,” you said.

One of the frogs hopped closer. “Sorry I laughed,” it said. “Could I try too?”

Soon all four of you were making a tune. The frogs kept time with little splashes. The squirrel sang the last note twice, just for fun.

A pale flower opened between two stones. Pey tucked it into your hand. “A perach for the path,” said Pey. “When you see it, remember the words that helped the song begin again. Choose your words with care. They can encourage, comfort, and bring peace to others.”

You thanked Pey and started across the bridge. On the far bank, two voices were arguing over a basket of berries. You could hear both of them from halfway across.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

On the far side of the bridge, two birds tugged at the handle of a berry basket. A young deer stood nearby, watching the basket tip.

“I picked them,” said one bird. “They’re mine.”

“I showed you where they grow,” said the other. “And you promised me some.”

You wanted to tell them to split the berries and be done. Then you remembered what had helped the squirrel sing again. You put Pey’s flower behind your ear and asked, “What did you agree to?”

Neither bird answered at first. The deer nudged a golden letter out from beneath a fern. It rose between the birds and glowed.

“I’m Tzadi,” said the letter. “Set the basket down. There’s time to hear both stories.”

The first bird looked at the ground. “I did promise. I thought we’d find more.”

The second bird loosened its grip. “I can help pick next time. I just wanted you to remember.”

Together they counted the berries into two piles. One berry rolled out and stopped by the deer’s hoof.

“That one’s for our basket keeper,” said the first bird. The second bird smiled and slid it closer.

Tzadi handed you a smooth stone with a little mark shaped like the letter צ. “For the next time a choice feels hard,” said Tzadi. “Choosing to be kind and fair isn’t always easy.”

You pocketed the stone and followed the path. Somewhere ahead, a voice called, “Who’s there?” A moment later, the very same voice called back.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

“Who’s there?” called the voice again.

You followed it to a rocky bend in the path. A monkey stood beside a boulder, holding a lantern and a long golden key.

“I’m Kof,” said the monkey. “That means monkey in Hebrew. I asked who was there, and someone keeps asking me the same question.”

Kof lifted the lantern. A golden letter glowed on the rock. “I’m Kuf,” said the letter. “What could we try to find out who’s answering?”

You thought for a moment. “Say something you haven’t said before.”

“Banana!” shouted the monkey.

“Banana!” came the answer, a little softer.

The monkey giggled. “Even the rocks know my favourite food.”

You cupped your hands and called toward the rocks. “Shalom!” The same word came back. Then you turned toward the open path and tried again. This time, you heard only leaves rustling.

“It comes back when we face the rocks,” you said. “Could it be our own voices?”

Kuf nodded. “That’s an echo. Sound can bounce back to you, like a ball bouncing off a wall.”

Kof turned the key in a small cupboard beneath the lantern. Inside lay a brass ring with the letter ק, Kuf, on it. Kuf placed it in your palm. “Take it with you. Next time something puzzles you, see what one good question can help you discover.”

You thanked Kuf and tucked the ring into your pocket. At the next bend, someone with a notebook was studying three paths. The arrows on the signpost all pointed the same way.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

At the fork, an owl with a green notebook looked from one path to the next. All three arrows on the signpost pointed straight into a thornbush.

“Did the paths move?” you asked.

“The wind spun the arrows,” said the owl. “I promised to put the rabbits’ arrow right. The young rabbits will be coming home soon, and they use these signs.”

You reached for the nearest arrow. A golden letter appeared on its wooden tip.

“I’m Reish,” said the letter. “Before you turn it, what do you know about the path it belongs to?”

You let go. You’d been about to point the arrow down the widest path. From where you stood, you couldn’t see what lay around the bend.

The owl opened the notebook. On the page was a drawing of the rabbits’ path. It curved past a split rock and a patch of yellow flowers.

You walked a little way down the wide path. No split rock. From the narrow path, though, you could see something yellow. You went closer and found the flowers growing beside the rock.

“This is the one!” you called.

Together you turned the rabbit arrow toward the narrow path and tightened its peg. Then you walked back toward the bridge to check that you could still see it.

Soon two young rabbits came bounding down the trail. They read the sign and turned for home.

Reish gave you a little pencil. “For the next time you have something to work out,” said the letter. “Remember to pause and think before you act.”

You slipped it into your pocket. Farther on, a golden light flickered between the trees. You stopped. From somewhere near the light came a soft sound like “shhh.”

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

The golden light came from a lantern in the trees. Beneath it sat a lion in a purple scarf. You knew that golden mane at once.

“Aryeh!” you called. You had so much to tell him that you hardly knew where to begin.

“Shhh,” said Aryeh gently. “Listen a moment. I heard something over the sound of the stream.”

You could hear the water rushing over stones. Then, underneath it, came a soft tap. You started to tell Aryeh about Kuf’s echo, but he tipped one ear toward the bank. You waited. Tap. Tap.

Three points of light rose from the water and joined to make a letter.

“Shalom, friend,” said the letter. “I’m Shin. What can you hear when you give a sound time to finish?”

The tapping came again. You followed it to the edge of the stream, where a loose twig kept knocking against a reed. A little beetle was clinging to the twig as it bobbed in the current.

“Hold on,” you whispered. You lowered a dry leaf until it touched the twig. The beetle walked onto it, and you carried the leaf to the bank.

Aryeh moved over to make room beside the lantern. “Now,” he said, “what did you want to tell me?”

You told him about the two birds and their basket of berries. When you paused to remember what happened next, Aryeh waited. It felt good to have time to finish.

Shin set a tiny brass bell in your palm. When you shook it, you had to lean close to hear it ring. “For the next time someone needs a moment to be heard.”

You waved goodbye. Beyond the lantern, a trail of small footprints led to two trees that looked strangely familiar.

THE MAGICAL ALEPH BET FOREST ADVENTURE

You followed the little footprints to two trees whose branches touched high above the path. You knew this place. It was the gate where you’d first reached up to touch Aleph.

Chaim the turtle was waiting there, holding a staff shaped like a letter. Beside him, a child stood with one foot on the path and one foot in the grass.

“I want to go in,” said the child, “but what if I lose my way?”

“I know the way,” you said. Then you looked between the trees. From here, you couldn’t see where the first bend led. “Well,” you said, “I know how it starts.”

Chaim set his staff on the ground. A golden letter rose from its tip. “I’m Tav,” it said. “You’ve come all the way from Aleph to me. What helped when you didn’t know where to go?”

You remembered Kuf asking what you could try, and the time you’d called for help beneath Samech’s tree. You took out Reish’s pencil and drew two trees on a broad fallen leaf. Between them, you drew the first letter.

“Look for Aleph here,” you told the child. “Then we can look for Bet together.”

The child stepped closer. “What if I forget the sound?”

“We can try it again.”

Tav touched the leaf, leaving a little golden mark. Above the path, the letters lit up in order, all the way from Aleph to Tav. Then their glow faded until just the first light was left.

Chaim handed you a red apple. You shared it with the child on the grass beside the gate. When you’d finished, the child stood on tiptoe.

“I can see it!”

You could see it too. The first time, you’d reached for that light all by yourself. This time, you held out your hand.