Chapter 3,
Willpower The jungle bush was dense and the air was humid.
As Bree stopped to wipe the sweat from her forehead,
She felt something buzz across her face.
Hiccup,
Pardon me,
Didn't see you there,
Said the little green hummingbird.
I'm looking for a city where the black birds live,
Bree asked him.
That will be the jeweled city,
The hummingbird said to Hiccup once more as he buzzed off.
After some time they reached a giant tree trunk.
It was so large and tall Bree could not see where it ended,
Either before her or overhead.
Finally,
You really slowed me down,
The hummingbird said as he rolled his eyes at the girl.
I hoped you were taking me to a jeweled city,
She replied confused.
This is it,
It's up there,
The little hummingbird flickered his eyes upwards.
Bree stood back and looked up,
Trying to spot the city above.
But all she could see was hundreds of birds flying about.
You will have to climb,
The bridge has been taken down.
Climb?
It's too high,
She said in disbelief.
Bree felt muddled about what to do.
If she didn't go on,
She would never know whether the crystal was in the city.
And if it really was in the city,
How on earth would she get it back down to ground?
I've come this far,
She told herself and started to climb the ginormous tree trunk.
The sun beamed onto her back as she passed the height of the jungle canopy.
She was only quarter of the way up,
But at least she could now see the city.
Noisy magpies began to circle her in the sky,
But she was so exposed and had nowhere to hide.
One of them came closer.
The gust of wind from his wings forced Bree to cling tighter to the tree trunk.
Who are you?
How did you find this tree?
Squawked the magpie.
Please,
You're making it so hard for me to climb.
Bree shouted with her eyes closed and her face pressed against the tree.
You'll never make it,
It's too high for you to climb.
The magpie smirked as he flew off.
Bree continued to climb slowly and cautiously as every muscle in her body throbbed.
A small branch gave her a place to rest before continuing.
She rubbed her shoulders and wrists as she looked out over the jungle and the hummingbird returned to check on her progress.
Well,
I am impressed.
I didn't expect you to make it this far,
He said as he buzzed around the girl's face.
I want to give up,
But I can't anymore.
I wish I had wings like you.
Wait here,
I think I have an idea.
Then the hummingbird rushed off.
As Bree stared into the distance,
Still resting her aching limbs,
She heard a faint humming noise approaching.
She looked up to see a small army of birds accompanying the hummingbird.
As they fluttered around her,
Gossiping and giggling,
Bree felt an overwhelming sense of compassion emulating from them.
In an impressive yet gentle formation,
They picked Bree off the branch and began to carry her up into the tree.
She was astonished by their strength and kindness.
Feathers floated down past her eyes as the little birds flapped their wings with determination and willpower.
Nearly there,
The hummingbird shouted,
And a small cheer could be heard from the flock in celebration.
As they lowered Bree into what seemed to be the center of the city,
The newcomers were greeted by a crowd of much larger flamingos and magpies who did not look amused by their accomplishment.
Bree sensed she was not welcome even before the flamingo stepped forward and squawked in her face.
You should have given up.
This is no place for a wingless animal.
The jeweled city was full of birds,
Down to every nook and cranny.
Bree felt overwhelmed in this tight,
Cramped space.
The hummingbird tried to help ease the situation by announcing,
She is looking for a.
.
.
But before he could finish speaking,
A magpie abruptly intervened,
Shutting the hummingbird down.
You're so drunk on nectar you have no clue what you're doing.
It's not his fault I've come here,
Bree protested.
I'm looking for a red crystal and I was told you may know where it is.
Is this some kind of joke?
Our crystal has gone missing,
Which is why the bridge is up and the city is packed with worried birds.
You're not welcome here,
A flamingo insisted as she flapped her wings in distaste at Bree's presence.
Before the girl had time to reply,
She felt her feet leave the ground as she was grabbed and pulled into the sky frantically by a magpie.
She screamed and struggled,
And the little birds that helped her gasped in horror.
Within moments the city was a speck below and the sun's beams were blinding her.
Bree closed her eyes and felt a strange emptiness when the magpie's tight grip released.
Wind whistled in her ears as she plummeted towards the earth.
Help!
She screamed out to the universe.
Suddenly a cloud cushioned her landing.
She squeezed her eyes and more tightly shut,
Not believing her luck.
As she lay helpless on the cloud,
She floated away from the city and tried to let go of the unsettling experience.
Chapter 3 Exercise Close your eyes and imagine you are laying on a cloud.
The cloud is soft and it supports you like a giant pillow in the sky.
You're safe.
This cloud is your space to relax and unwind.
Place your hands on your diaphragm and feel it expand and contract as you inhale and exhale.
As you continue to breathe steadily,
Imagine a small ball of yellow light within your body,
Directly under your hands.
Concentrate on the yellow light and imagine it grows with every inhale and exhale you take.
The light continues to expand until it reaches the furthest points of your body.
It then grows to surround your body like a wall of protection.
The light keeps you safe and calm.
It is your shield to use whenever you want it.
The sun was starting to get low and Brieve had travelled far enough in the cloud.
She stood up and looked over its edge.
She was close enough to touch the tops of the trees.
So she climbed off and made a nest in the leaves as her bed for the night.
