The Secret of the Forest

From the viewpoint of a young child quietly watching from the edge of the cremation ritual, the tribal woman and the ghostly spirit of the child’s grandfather walk together toward the forest. As they near the trees (3s–6s), the woman transforms into a silver-white wolf, and the elder transforms into a glowing bear spirit. They disappear into the forest mist. The child watches in silent awe. He never tells anyone what he saw — but he will carry the secret when he becomes chief.