Free The Whispering Trees by J. A. White

world.
    You’ve called animals to you before , she thought. You can do it again .
    â€œCome here,” Kara whispered. “I won’t hurt you.”
    Her words were anchored by doubt.
    What if Mary is wrong? What if I’m not special after all?
    â€œYou get one yet?” Taff asked after only a few minutes had passed. Mary shushed him.
    In the following hour Kara asked, commanded, cajoled, and begged the creatures to come to her, with no result. Kara could hear the true voices of many grettins, but even these were vague, no more than brief snatches of SING and HIDE peeking out from beneath the telltale sounds of the night.
    She had begun to nod off when the grettins’ song rose in intensity. Now, however, it bore a slightly mocking quality, as though it knew what Kara was trying to do and found it amusing. The grettins were playing with her in their fashion, and for a few moments she forgot all about magic in light of this strange and wonderful animal.
    You want to come to me, don’t you? You’re curious . . . but you’re afraid it might be a trick. How can I prove that I won’t harm you? If you were a person I would just use words, but you’re an animal. Human words mean nothing to you. We needa different kind of connection .
    ( Ask the right question at the right time. . . . )
    What connects two things?
    â€œA bridge,” Kara said.
    She closed her eyes and imagined a simple wooden bridge that began in her mind and stretched out toward the voices of the grettins. I offer this connection between us , she thought, hoping that they could understand the words. You can trust me . In her mind Kara felt the grettins get closer, like indecisive dogs sniffing a path, and braced herself for whatever might happen next.
    They refused to cross.
    Something’s not right , Kara realized. I need to make a link between us—I’m sure of it!—but I’m not giving them a good enough reason to trust me. How can I prove I mean them no harm?
    The answer came in a flash of insight, as though the canopy had suddenly peeled open and let in the afternoon sun.
    Real bridges are built from wood or stone because that makesthem safe—but that’s only true in the physical world. A mind-bridge needs to be built from a different sort of material altogether, one that makes these creatures feel safe in their minds, just like wood makes people feel safe in reality .
    Kara remembered the times in her life when she had felt the safest. Falling asleep on the porch and waking in Father’s strong arms as he carried her to bed. Walking through the aisles of the general store with Mother’s hand in hers. Like a mason baking bricks, Kara transformed these memories into building material and then used them to form a mind-bridge constructed from feelings of warmth and safety.
    With renewed curiosity, the grettins milled closer.
    â€œCome,” Kara whispered. “You are welcome.”
    She felt a small tug in her head and gasped softly.
    Her invitation had been accepted.
    The grass parted, and a creature with large amber eyes peered out at her. Its body was long and pliable, like a ferret’s, with rust-colored fur and a bushy tail.
    â€œThere you are,” Kara said.
    She held her hand low to the ground and waited. After hesitating for a moment, more out of pride than concern for its safety, the grettin sniffed Kara’s fingers, then hopped onto her hand. The tiny animal was heavier than it looked, but not so heavy that Kara couldn’t lift it with ease until it was level with her eyes.
    â€œHello, my friend,” Kara said.
    The grettin chirped.
    From all around her now, they came. Kara felt the creatures slip beneath her legs and over her shoulders and up her arms. She laughed as their tiny paws tickled her skin.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Taff shouted. And then, hurt accusation in his voice: “Are you having fun without me ?”
    The grettins