Disney Tranformations: Willow Pocahontas

 Ever since John Smith returned to England, Pocahontas pined for him.  As the next Autumn fell and the leaves began to fall, she felt his loss deep in her heart.  Often, she would slip away from her family and spend long hours with Grandmother Willow, listening to her ancient songs and stories...

"Grandmother, do you think he will ever come back?" she asked one evening.

"Oh, I think not, child," Grandmother Willow replied with uncharacteristic curtness, "all in all, it's better that he not return..."

"Grandmother, how can you say that?" Pocahontas exclaimed.

"Because, child... it is simply not your destiny to marry, raise children, and die like the rest of the People.  You have a much higher, but lonelier destiny, one that was determined even before you were born..."

Pocahontas felt strange; she felt stiff, in fact, which was unusual.  The wind began to blow harder and the leaves circled the willow grove.  A chill fell over her as she continued to listen to the Willow Tree's hypnotic voice.

"...for you see, dear child, I am almost at the end of my time.  For nearly a thousand years, I have been the guardian spirit of the People.  But nothing lasts forever, and it is not time for someone else to have that honor, and that burden.  It is time... for you, Pocahontas..."

"Grandmother, what are you saying?  And what..."

She broke off, as her skin began to change.  It turned hard and dry and deep green...

She cried in alarm and tried to run, but her feet were already starting to take root in the stony soil.

"Grandmother, please!  I don't want..."

"Child, it is not a matter of wanting, it is simply the way things are.   Do you imagine that I "wanted" it?  I was once like you, of course.  I was once a young creature, eager to roam the forest forever.  But I, like you, was chosen.  It will be strange at first, and you will long for your freedom... but as the new Willow Spirit, you will eventually find a freedom you can scarcely imagine now..."

"Grandmother..."

"...your spirit will live on, and on, and you will watch over many, many generations of the People.  Your soul will delve deep into the earth, and you will learn from the rivers, and know the name of every bird and beast in the land.  Although you will never move again, your spirit shall become one with all, just as mine has.  The People must have a guardian, and that guardian will be you..."

Soon, it was done.  The young willow sapling stood next to the ancient willlow tree.  The tree that was once Pocahontas was still silent, still learning how to be a tree.  In time, she would reawaken.

Sighing with contentment, Grandmother Willow's face faded, never to be seen on Earth again.  At last, she could rest.