The Secret Life of Woodland Creatures

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by Hannah (BitterSweet)

The imagination of a child is truly a precious thing. Before the ways of the world and common sense are stamped into those malleable brains, they can come up with some pretty amazing ideas, far beyond the grasp of someone accustomed to assuming the obvious answers. The greatest tragedy is that we can’t see our surroundings through such a creative lens as we grow older and “wiser.” For example, I know full well that the stoplights are set to change either at fixed intervals of time, or according to sensors that detect traffic flow. When I was much younger, however, I was convinced that it was someone’s job at every single intersection to keep an eye on traffic, and switch the lights manually. This person might also know if you had been good or bad that day, and speed up or delay the lights as they saw fit. It made perfect sense at the time, and I would always breathe a sigh of relief when the light finally turned green, proving I had been a good little girl that day.

Another thing I always wondered about was where the forest creatures went at night, or when it suddenly turned chilly or rainy. Did they have their own little blankets and umbrellas hidden away, to be removed from storage only when nobody was looking? Even that idea was a little far fetched for me to believe, but I had my own theories…

In the cover of darkness, deep within the woods where no one was looking, every night the animals would convene for big slumber parties. Together, they would share each others warmth and company, instantly becoming the best of friends. All would return to normal in the morning, the circle of life and survival of the fittest back into effect, but just for the evenings, animals large and small would act like family. From the birds to the mooses, it didn’t matter the species, there would be peace and community within the animal kingdom. I could practically picture it: Birds of all colors would flock to the safety of outstretched antlers, and nestle in for the evening, perfectly warm and cozy. Like a trusty mobile home, surely the moose could move to take shelter from a storm if needed, and danger could easily be outrun.

Looking through the eyes of a child, doesn’t that scheme tie up the unknown, loose ends nicely and make good sense? I’d sure like to hear you propose a better idea!

[Knit moose pattern from Knitting MochiMochi by Anna Hrachovec]

26 thoughts on “The Secret Life of Woodland Creatures”

  1. Gorgeous, Hannah! And I particularly like your idea of the Traffic Man Santa :D

    I wouldn’t mind having a moose to shelter under as Australia moves into Winter… a lovly knitted one by you, I mean. I think a real one might make a mess in my bedroom.

  2. Your story with the woodland creatures reminds me A Little Princess’s story. Have you heard about it ? She was convinced her doll could walk and make things while she was away. Your story about the stoplights made me smile. I thought I was the only one having strange imagination when I was a little girl. But I was wrong ! I think everyone should keep his childhood’s imagination. That way, we would live in a better world !

  3. Aaaah, cutest moose ever! The rest of your post is beautiful but the cuteness (and skill!) of your knit work really steals the attention :)

  5. So cute – Making toys is a great thing. Puts lots of smiles in lots of places. I recently knitted two sock monkeys, a boy and a girl, for a gift. They are so cute that my Husband doesn’t want me to give them away, and he’s not usually like that.

  8. Adorable! And the rocks, trees, and the forest itself would magically provide protection for all to doze off into a safe, restful slumber. :)

  13. Oh my goodness how cute!!! I have JUST learned how to knit (I’m at the stage of knitting a row. Then another…unless I messed that up already.), and I can barely comprehend how you can make such fantastic little knit items! Maybe someday I’ll graduate from repeated straight lines haha.

  14. I have been a long time lurker on your blogsite, and recently, I ordered your cookbook – Just got it today, and I am so excited to try out all of them when I can :)

  17. That is adorable. Now I have mastered knitting on two circs I can start making things like this. I love Anna’s patterns she has a wonderful imagination.

  19. Aww, I love the little birdies!
    I also love your childhood theory of traffic lights :] It kind of reminds me how, when CD players first came out, my dad got a new car with a CD player in it. At the time, however, I knew nothing about that – all I knew is that every time we got in the car, we’d hear ‘Little Lies’ by Fleetwood Mac. After this happened several times, I marveled to my dad: “How does the radio station know to play my favorite song every time I get in the car?!”

  20. this is just too over the top adorable :) My nana taught us to say a saying to get the light to change… in all reality it just made us pass the time love it :)

  24. Hi Hannah,

    Thank you for making me and your readers smile and helping us to reminisce about similar theories we had as youngsters. Your traffic-light story reminded me of a theory I had, though perhaps it was a bit dark for a 10-year-old to believe: I believed, and thus convinced my cousin, that if you didn’t lock the doors in a travelling car, “highway travellers” could open the door and steal you. Ha ha… I also believed that gremlins lived in the vent in my room, but that’s a whole other story. I kinda like yours better :-) Animal harmony across species is where my “adult” mind is at ;-)

    Great job on the knitted piece–it’s beautiful!

    Christina

  25. That is simply the sweetest, most creative thing I have seen in a long time. :) Keep up your excellent knitting and story telling. Your blog is like sunshine on a cloudy day; or hitting all green lights on the way to work ;)

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