O
nce upon a time, a fawn found herself
After crossing the threshold, she was greeted
lost while searching for mushrooms in the
by the most beautiful place she had ever seen.
enchanted forest. As the shadows of the mighty
Rich tapestries hung from every wall, and soft
oaks grew long all around her, she knew the
pillows covered every surface. A fire crackled
night would soon fall. Her legs shivered
gently in a stately fireplace, warming her to
in the mountain air, her stomach growled with
the bone. Best of all, a long table was piled
hunger, and she felt fear creeping up her tail.
high with fine foodstuffs beyond her
She whispered to herself, “Please, a single
imagination … not just because she had only
acorn to eat and a warm pile of leaves for a bed.
ever eaten grasses, acorns, and leaves. The
That’s all I ask.” As she spoke, a tear fell from
intoxicating smell of roasted meat, hearty
her eye, glinting in the day’s last light as it
vegetables, and refreshing libations drew her
landed on the forest floor.
irresistibly to the banquet.
The trees themselves heard her plea. Honoring
She dipped her muzzle into a tureen of
their pledge to serve any pure-hearted creature
soup, and as she lapped it up, an incredible
of the forest, they summoned their ancient
transformation came over her as well.
mountain magic. Where the tiny doe’s tear had
Within moments, she changed from a tiny
fallen, an oak shoot rose and began to reach
fawn into a lionhearted princess. From that
upward. The fawn watched in amazement as
day, she vowed to rule over the forest with
a grand transformation began. The tender
compassion and joy. All were welcome to
sprout grew and grew, not into an oak, but into
share the warm beds of her castle and the
a majestic castle of rich wood and gleaming
fine fare of her table. She named her banquet
gold. Roots wrapped around roots, forming a
hall Fawn & Fable so she would never forget
doorway and a split staircase that welcomed the
her roots and the responsibility she bore for
fawn to step forward.
all guests who came to her mountain home.