Linda shows Jiminy his new home
Linda lives in the green tent. First she stayed only one night, then two, then three and now it has been almost 275 nights since she first arrived at the old beech tree. She puts the tent here and there, never staying in the same place for more than one moon.
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Jiminy and Linda have only known each other for a few hours and are already smitten. Jiminy loves to hear her read and Linda is very excited to have an audience.
«Let’s go for a walk Jiminy! I want to show you your new home.»
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She leaps out of the tent and runs up the riverbank toward the old maple tree.Jiminy sprints after her and calls out: «Grandma's voice is still ringing in my heart! She sang by the river this morning!»
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Linda stops in her tracks right at the foot of the old tree and nearly hits her nose on a root. She spins around to face her new friend. «That was SO beautiful. Her song sounded as soft as the water rippling on the bank.»
«Yes,» Jiminy agrees, panting. «Grandma is very kind. Last night my fear got really big that I wouldn't be able to fall asleep. Then she said: ‹Jiminy, just listen to the songs of the Trees›.»
Linda smiles from ear to ear: «And? Did you try it? It really works!!»
Jiminy stretches his neck to look up into the gently swaying branches of the giant old beech tree. «I’m not sure I can really hear them….. Do trees actually really sing?»
«Yes!» Linda nods. «First you just tune in with your ears. What do you hear? Dsssshht dsssssssssshhct phh phh phh rushl rushl rushl grsssssssssch!!»
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Jimmy’s eyes grow big as dishes. He is very surprised at the sounds his new friend is able to produce. «But…you’re just imitating the wind singing through the leaves! How is that a story?» He is feeling very unsure of himself, making him impatient and frustrated. 


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Linda takes one of Jiminy’s paws into hers and looks him right in the eyes. «Don’t worry. It takes a little bit of practice and a little bit of study. You need to introduce yourself to them, just like you did to me this morning. Tell them you need help with getting used to a new home, and ask if they will please tell you a story. You have to have manners, just like you have with Grandma and Grandpa.»
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Jiminy chuckles. The idea of introducing himself to a tree as if they are a Mouse Person gives him the giggles. «Yo! How ya’ll doin?» Is that what he will say? And then give a high five to a tree? He has to laugh so hard at the idea that he loses his balance and starts rolling downhill toward the river.
Linda is incredibly fast. She almost seems to fly sometimes. Just as Jiminy reaches the riverbank and closes his eyes tight, expecting to fall into the cold, rushing water – she jumps to block his path and brings him to a stop.
«How?! What??? How did you….?!?!?!?» Jiminy looks up, only to see a grinning and proud Linda towering over him. He scrambles to his feet and wipes the mud from his mouth: «Thank you.»
«I saw Líng Lán in a movie.» Linda explains. «She flew like a dragon over rooftops and up trees and she could just fight anyone. In training, she stood still on one leg forever and held her arms up. And that was exactly the skill she used to win, even though she was badly injured!
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I hope you will soon meet my teachers in martial arts:
Dr.Wigand and Tulip — they live here too.»
Jiminy is now completely flabbergasted. He is only just beginning to understand he has come to a very special place.
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«So just to finish up what I was saying about trees…..» Linda smiles. «They are very special and infinite beings! They are vital for everyone on Earth. They are mostly made of water, yet they make the air we need to breathe. And when it's hot, they cool down like fridges.»
«Like fridges?» Jiminy frowns. «Really? You sure know a lot. You really have to tell me more. Can we go back to your tent and read?»
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«Of course! » Linda sparkles. «Trees are my favorite thing. Maybe because a Linden gave me her name.»
* Note from Emerald: Grandma says the word “Tree” is a more accurate description than “Baum” in German or “Albero” in Italian, because “Poetry” is obviously “Poetree”
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