She stopped, closing her eyes. Taking a steadying breath, she reached for the familiar rhythm of the forest—soft chirps, the gentle rustling of leaves, the distant murmur of a flowing brook. But today, there was nothing.
No… not nothing. A whisper. Faint, distant, barely perceptible, laced with foreboding¹⁰, like the forest itself was holding its breath.
Something was calling her. And she knew—she could not ignore it.
To find the answers, she would have to go to the very heart of the Crystal Forest, where its oldest secrets lay waiting.
Vocabulary Practice
Match the words to their meanings:
1. enchanting
2. extraordinary
3. rustle
4. whisper
5. melodies
6. unsettling
7. gaze
8. curiosity
9. vibrant
10. foreboding
а) A quiet and soft voice or sound
b) Full of energy and bright colors
c) A soft, whispering sound of leaves
d) A magical and fascinating place
e) A long, fixed look at something
f) A strong feeling that something bad will happen
g) Very special or unusual
h) A strong desire to learn or know something
i) Disturbing, making someone feel uneasy
j) Beautifully arranged sequences of sounds
Fill in the blanks using the words from the list:
1. She felt a strange sense of foreboding before stepping into the dark cave, as if unseen eyes were watching her from within.
2. The leaves made a gentle rustle as the wind passed through the trees, whispering ancient secrets.
3. His gaze was fixed on the painting for a long time, lost in thought.
4. The forest was silent except for the faint whisper of the wind, carrying the echoes of something forgotten.
5. This town has the most vibrant streets, full of color and life, where music and laughter never fade.
Extended Practice:
Write a short paragraph (3–4 sentences) using at least three vocabulary words.
Find a synonym for each vocabulary word and use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you think Miranda's ability to see sounds helps her understand the forest?
2. Why do you think the birds are silent and the flowers are wilted?
3. If you had a special gift like Miranda, what would it be?
4. Have you ever felt a sense of foreboding before? What happened?
5. How does silence in nature create different emotions? Does it feel peaceful or unsettling to you?
Vocabulary Notes:
¹ enchanting– magical, fascinating