When I left the cosy refuge, the forest glistened in the slanting sunlight, while bluish patches of snow were reverberating in my eyes. The wind had ceased. I strolled along the mountain path, lost between awe and thoughtfulness. Here lived another race of beings, another world was in the making. I felt invisible eyes all around me; unseen creatures were keeping me company. It was not uncomfortable, just unusual. As I pushed on, spell-bound by this crystal-like environment, I forgot time. I found myself in the middle of a snow tempest and no place where I could find shelter. I stopped in the thick of the forest, hoping that the fir trees would provide some respite from the freezing whirlwind of snowflakes, but I then realized I had to go back to the chalet. When I knocked at the door again, the hostess seemed glad to see me. They didn't see many tourists at that time of the year, she explained. The fire burnt briskly and was an extra blessing. I decided to stay for the night, instead of going back to the hotel in the village. It cost only a few francs, and I had not much choice, given the weather conditions. That night, I was haunted by restless dreams. I woke up in the middle of a nightmare. A slender woman with long hair was sitting on the side of my bed. I closed my eyes, thinking I must be still dreaming, but when I opened my eyes again the slender figure was still there. She was pale, and the light of the moon hanging high in the black sky gave her a preternatural look. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came from her lips. I sat up in my bed and asked: "Who are you? How did you come in?" There was no reply. She closed her eyes and seemed sad. After a few moments, I took my notepad on the side table. I offered it to her with a pen. "Please, write a message," I said.
She smiled and scribbled down a note in a wink: "I need your help."
"Go on," I said.
She dropped the pen. What followed blew my mind away. She stared at the blank wall; a stream of light flooded the room. Strange images and signs began to form on the wall. I could not talk. I was trembling and wondered whether I was going crazy.
***
Little by little, the walls melted away. We stood in front of a green mound in an open landscape. A door carved itself into the side of the mound, and the mysterious lady pointed towards the entrance. I hesitated, for I was quite scared, but she looked at me with such a reproachful expression that I had no choice but comply. In front of me, I saw a gathering of green people, who changed their shapes from moment to moment: from flower or plant to human, as to prove a point among themselves. They seemed to be discussing something urgent. And now, my mysterious lady dragged me to the centre of the gathering and, speaking in most musical tunes, she announced my presence. I was astounded, for I could understand her fabulous language now. She took her place at the side of a great queen, and I recognised her as the royal adviser. The queen asked me what my profession was and, without knowing how and why, I answered back in her own language: I was just an unsuccessful novel writer and did not know how I could be of any use to that civilised gathering.
"Your race is destroying mine," she said. "We are no longer at ease with human beings. Oak trees, fir trees, poplars, chestnut trees, rowans and yews, cypresses and ash trees, birches and willows are weeping for the earth. Bluebells, daffodils, marigolds and daisies, and all the wildflowers of the forest shudder and cry because of man's ways of life. Rivers and springs, lakes and creeks are poisoned every single day, and the fish die out. No longer do the leaping salmon and the silvery trout swim at peace; no longer does friendship bind our races, but a long-standing enmity is riveting the earth. I warn you and all men and women: the children of the earth will rebel; earthquakes and floods will wreak their revenge upon your race, if men persist in their wicked ways."
As she spoke, tears welled up in my eyes despite myself, for I recognised the truth of her words and wished for a moment that the whole human race in its arrogance may be wiped away.
"I see there are justice and compassion in your heart," -- she said -- for she could read my thoughts. "I offer you a pact: practise your craft in the spirit of reconciliation. Be the messenger of the Green People, deliver my message in the language human beings can understand, and I promise you will be successful at your art."
Before I realised it, I nodded and said: "So be it, my queen, I'll serve your people's cause no matter what it takes."
She had a radiant smile and waved to her musicians to start playing. Dancing and merriment followed and lasted for a long time. Flowers and plants, trees and birds circled around me cheerfully, and the swoon of ecstasy overcame me. Never had I felt my life had something noble to strive for, never had I felt worthier and humbler at the same time. As all the children of nature danced in a circle around me in their protean shapes, my heart expanded and I was granted a vision of a possible earthly paradise, if only humans would listen. I felt a surge of power spiralling from my heart, through my throat to my brow, and knew my life was going to change. When I opened my eyes, I was lying on the bare planks of my room in the mountain chalet. It was dawning. Near me there was an oak leaf; I turned it in my hands. I took my notepad and saw the notes I had taken the day before. How empty and unimaginative... I tried to write, but I could not move my right hand. I thought I had been fooled and punished by the Green Queen, or maybe by my imagination. Then, I tried out my left hand, as a temporary solution... and I could write quickly, despite the fact I had been right-handed all my life. When I left the chalet, the wind was blowing again, and snowflakes patted the windowpanes of the cable cabin. As I descended towards the village, the mountains looked like silent giants warning me to keep my vow.
***
In the hotel room, I sat at my desk and wrote down what had happened. That was the start of what my reviewers call "eco-fantasy". This night, it will be a year since that portentous time, and I have given you a faithful account of what happened. You may leave it or take it. Yet, I hope you'll ponder on it next time you walk along a riverbank or wander through a forest. As to me, I will go on writing "ecofantasies" and sign books at book festivals, so that people may listen and look at nature with awe.
Go, and tell this story to your friends and kin.