Peering curiously at the box, she wondered at what was inside. Wrapped in colorful paper, it was no bigger than a thimble. Delicate, intricate, and ever-so intriguing. The little girl tip-toed to the table, cautiously picking it up, and held it in her soft hands. Untying the scarlet ribbon that was thinner than her mother's yarn, young Cadie took off the lid, leaning down to view this odd boxes contents.
"Boo!!" Suddenly a tiny man jumped out of the box. He appeared as an elf would- pointy shoes, wearing bells, and an outfit to match the wrapping paper. Cadie's eyes grew wide in disbelief!! What a joy! Just like a story her papa had read to her.
"Sir- what is your name?" The polite child was interested in finding out who he was. Was he a gift? A treasure? Was he even real?
As if in answer to her thoughts, the elfin-like man jumped up and ran up her arms to her shoulder, and stared at her. His face was wrinkled, like Father Times. A long crooked nose, that appeared Mother Goose-like. And wide blue eyes, that if she weren't mistaken, were very angry. "I, my dear young lady, am a Ambassador to your father for my people. You may call me Terio if it so suits you. Your nosy little self has just ruined a very good idea, for now I shall have to find your father, rather than him finding me. I wanted an element of surprise. Now it is all ruined. Now, please, set me down and let me be on my way!" He stomped his foot, which poor Cadie barely felt through her thick winter coat. Leaning down, she let him climb onto the table top wear his box now set. Terio marched over to the box, and by some miracle was able to reach in and to her surprise, he started to pull out beautiful, miniature items! A tea-cup with silver and blue roses. A sack, with embroidery that looked royal, and a tiny book- it looked like Rumpulstilkskins!
Kneeling on her knees, the precious child dared to venture a few more questions- that surely even yourself would have asked, if put in her situation. "Telio, sir, why have you come as an ambassador? Are there more of you? What are you???" Her face had turned quizzical, with her upturned nose scrunched to her eyes. Telio turned around, facing her once more. At first he appeared that he was going to yell at her. But then, something changed and his weathered face softened.
"Dear child, my people and I are indeed real. We were here long before your family came. We are hop-nots. Just a smaller version of you. We live in the forest with a town and council. Everything is as modern as can be. We live very normal lives, and have made allies with the animals. However. Your father, though a gentle giant, has made some deals that would exterminate our town. I have come with plans and a deal that would preserve us, and still allow him to do as he wishes- with a few minor adjustments. Your father is a kind man, and I once knew him well. I'm sure that if he had known we were there, he would never have made the plans. Now, child, I must really go. Pack my things and go to his office. I assure you- all things are done and ready. If he doesn't agree to the plan, we will relocate. But I am sure that won't happen." He smiled- for the first time- at Cadie, whose eyes had filled with tears, but was now smiling back at him. She handed him some bread crumbs and just a drop of tea, and told him that if he waited just another hour, papa would be home.
So they talked about her family and his, what they liked to do, and how they liked to do it. He told her of his favorite foods, and of how he liked to swing his little children around the mushroom plants.He told her how to make rose water with the dew, and tea with the grass. Why- he even taught her how to make bread with acorns and leaves! They had such a jolly time that the time did fly. In fact, they didn't even notice when the man of the house arrived. He stood back in the distance, watching and listening, and knew that the deal had to be changed. He remembered his old friend Terio, and no, he never knew, that the plans he had drawn up, would have destroyed Terio. For a moment longer he stayed, reminiscing about the past. But then turned and left, changing the papers he had just made in the past.
Returning, this time more loudly than before, Cadie's papa held the papers, while he stood in the foyer. She ran to him, leaping in his arms. And soon a barrage of questions about Terio came from her mouth. Terio stood quietly, waiting for his turn. As her papa set her down, and came in further. He layed down the contract, with a restricting order, that nothing was to be down, down in the forest fern corner. Terio looked up at him, tears now in his eyes, packed his things and turned and went his way.
Cadie looked at her papa, wonder in her eyes- "Daddy why did he leave? Why didn't he stay behind?"
He looked down at his daughter, innocent and sweet, and said, "My dear baby, don't worry- he had a family to see. You opened up a box that you had no right to do. But I'm glad you did, as you showed to me the truth. That no matter how small or how big, that we all matter. We were all made for a purpose- forever after."
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