The Green Cathedral

From the journal of Iven Pell, waterway surveyor:

The stream runs uphill for seven minutes each dawn. Do not attempt to correct it. The forest dislikes being hurried, and has been known to move a traveler’s boots several yards ahead of him.

I rested beneath the oldest tree and heard bells far below the roots. When I asked who was ringing them, the waterfall answered by spilling one bright coin into my hand. I left it on the stone. By sunset, it had become a tiny green leaf.