Inès and the Three Certain Trees

The whole story

Inès remembered nearly everything: birthdays, birdsongs, and which pocket held her last biscuit. Today, she wished she remembered the shortcut home. She stopped beside three beech trees. Mud clung to her boots like chocolate icing. “Excuse me,” she said. “Which way to the village?” “Left!” whispered the tallest tree. “Right!” rustled the widest. “Straight ahead!” declared the smallest. A leaf landed on its nose. None of them said, “I think.”

“Are you sure?” asked Inès. “Absolutely,” said the tallest. “I can see farther.” “Certainly,” said the widest. “I have more branches.” “Obviously,” said the smallest. “I am closest to your boots.” That sounded almost sensible. Inès tried left, but found a bramble tangle. She tried right, but returned to the same mushroom, shaped like a tiny umbrella. “Nice to see you again,” she told it.

Then she tried straight ahead. The path curved. Shadows stretched. Between the trunks, the sky turned plum-purple. Inès stopped. She was properly lost now. She remembered Dad waiting by their blue door. Her throat felt tight. Behind her, the beeches were still arguing. “Please,” she called, keeping her voice steady. “Could you stop being certain for a moment?” Three sets of leaves fell quiet. “We would like to help,” said the smallest.

“What can you all agree on?” Inès asked. “The evening is cool,” said the tallest. “The squirrels are untidy,” said the widest. “The river smells lovely,” said the smallest. “Oh, yes,” sighed all three. Inès sniffed. Wet stones. Cool mud. Wild mint! She knew that smell. The riverside path passed her garden gate. She waited for another breeze, then chose the path where the mint smelled strongest. “Thank you,” she called. “Especially for agreeing!”

Soon, water chuckled beyond the reeds. Inès stayed on the path. There was her garden gate. There was the blue door. And there was Dad, hurrying out with his cardigan buttoned crookedly. Inès tucked herself into his hug. “Complicated shortcut?” he asked. “Very bossy shortcut,” she said. Far behind her, three beeches whispered into the evening. “I told her left.” “I told her right.” The smallest shook its leaves. “The river gave excellent directions.”