Constance rushed over to the crow, who was lying on the ground having fainted from exhaustion. She recognized him as Carlos, a long time friend who would visit her from time to time. She gently picked him up and cradled him protectively in her arms, smoothing his rumpled feathers and murmuring to him softly. As she was attending to Carlos, the large group gathered began to get restless. Some of the audience members began to press forward and approach her physically, while others called out in impatience for her to continue her story. 

Carolann, a white unicorn with a golden horn and rainbow colored mane and tail trotted over quickly, lowered her horn at the crowd and raised her voice. 

"Hold!" She said. "Do not come any closer. Our Lady of Wisdom is tending to an emergency. Please back off!"

The crowd members looked at the unicorn's sharp horn and wisely backed away. Constance looked up from Carlos and thanked Carolann. She raised one hand and the crowd fell to silence. 

"My friends, as you can see, an unexpected emergency has come up. I must go. Please return to your homes and remain calm. Wisdom Willow has provided some delicious willow leaf tea. It has many healing properties. Please come up to my table here and help yourselves on your way."

She gestured with her free hand toward the table, and it was suddenly laden with baskets overflowing with tea bags of various sizes and shapes. 

Eliza Elephant called out, "What about the story you started? Will you continue to tell the tale?"

Constance replied, "Yes, I will  continue the story. Just be patient and wait for my return."

Eliza Elephant persisted, "When will that be?"

Constance paused, unsure of the answer. It depended on so many factors. "When the flow of the river of time meets the winds of the present moment, that is when. Now, I must go and help my friend here."  With that, she raised her arm and appeared to disappear from view in a puff of dust.

Actually, what really happened was she shrank herself until she was tiny. She entered a very small door in Wisdom Willow's tree trunk and a small platform raised her up and deposited her into a simply furnished chamber inside. This chamber was where she lived when she was not doing her public service work.

Constance quickly returned her body to a larger size and hastily lay Carlos on a bed. He was beginning to revive and began to cough before opening his eyes. Constance said to him soothingly, "You are ok, my friend. You are safe here with me now."

Carlos fluttered his wings and stood up. "My Lady, you must help. The King has disappeared!" With that, he fainted again.