In a land far away, there once existed a mighty kingdom called Aran, bordered by huge mountains to the west and a dense enchanted forest to the east.

Deep within the forest, hidden by trees that reached all the way to the skies, stood a cottage of wood and stone, where a family of three lived: Mama, Papa, and little Mbali. Mbali was a curious little girl with honey-brown eyes, sun-kissed skin, and a tangle of curls that not even the best comb in the world could tame.

“I named you Mbali because you are as beautiful as the flowers surrounding our home, my little flower,” Mbali’s mother would tell her each night before bed as she tried to brush Mbali’s unruly curls. “You are as delicate as the rose petals and bruise at the slightest touch,” she said, tweaking Mbali’s nose.

“But I am not weak!” Mbali insisted.

Her mother gave her a huge smile. “Of course not, little flower. Do you know why?” Mbali shook her head.

“Because, just like Mama’s rose bushes, you have thorns that will protect you. You may be delicate, but you are strong as well; always remember that,” she told Mbali, holding out her pinky finger.

Mbali hooked her little pinky finger with her mother’s. “Always!”

For as long as Mbali had lived, she’d never stepped foot outside the forest; happy to run free and wild in the woods with all the forest animals as friends. Her family never lacked for food, for the forest provided them with the most decadent fruits, and the water from the creek was sweeter than nectar.

Once or twice, she came across visitors from the village nearest to the forest and even made friends with children from the village.

It was from them she learned of all the amazing things you could find in the city. She also learned of the Jealous Witch who lived deep within the Quartz Mountains and how she would come down into the villages and steal away the children.

Hearing all these terrifying tales, Mbali had no wish to ever go beyond the protection of the enchanted forest. But alas, on her sixth birthday, her parents announced that they would be going into the city for the day.

“We should be back before the sun sets,” her papa told her. “Remember not to go beyond the forest, little flower; the forest can only protect you as long as you stay within its lands,” he reminded Mbali.

“But why can’t I come too?” Mbali argued, tears welling up in her eyes. “What if something happens to you?”

“There’s nothing to worry about, my sweet. Papa and I will only be gone for a short while, and when I get back, I’ll make your favorite pie,” her mother rushed to say when Mbali started to get excited. “Only if you’re a good girl and finish up all your chores before you come outside to play.”

“Okay, Mama, have a safe trip.” Mbali waved at her parents’ retreating figures until they disappeared from her sight.

After finishing her chores for the day, Mbali waited out on the porch for her parents’ return. Her little forest friends came to sit by her as she waited. But the sun went down, and her parents didn’t return. Mbali stayed out on the porch the entire night waiting, and the next, and the one after that.

On the fourth day, when she was weak from not eating, she finally spotted movement beyond the trees coming towards her. She leaped off the porch in her excitement and ran towards the figures, thinking it was her parents. But it was the old man who visited them sometimes when Mbali was sick.

He looked sad, and Mbali learned why when he told her of the monsters who had taken her mama and papa away. The doctor told Mbali that her parents were never coming back and offered to take her in.

Refusing to live in the village, Mbali decided she would set out to find her parents herself. She stepped out beyond the borders of the forest for the first time ever and into the city.

The city was not what Mbali expected at all; it wasn’t as peaceful and calming as the forest. The colors were too bright, the noises too loud, and so many smells that made her want to vomit. She tried to ask some of the people where she could find the Jealous Witch only to be shoved away.

Being among so many people tired Mbali out and made her feel dizzy. Each blink of her eyes became heavier, and her heart felt like it would beat out of her chest. Every breath she took didn’t reach her lungs. That was when she saw the real truth of the world beyond the enchanted forest.

Where others simply saw trees, Mbali saw monsters that stole children. Where others saw waves glistening under the sun, inviting them for a swim, Mbali saw monsters that drowned children. Where others heard wind blowing sweetly, Mbali heard monsters screaming and howling as well as the cries of those who’d been stolen away by the Jealous Witch.

During the day, when others relished the sun smiling down on the earth, Mbali saw the Monster King’s right eye. And during the night, when others saw the moon, Mbali saw the Monster King’s left eye eerily watching her, patiently waiting for her to let her guard down so that the Jealous Witch’s monsters could take her away forever.

Unable to stay in the city any longer, Mbali ran back to the forest as fast as her short legs could take her. She despaired over not being able to save her parents and broke out in a sweat when she thought of the horrors of outside following her back into the forest. And so Mbali prayed to the god of the forest to keep her safe and keep the evil outside of her forest.

That night, Mbali went to sleep, her face wet with salty tears. When she woke, it was to find a pair of green eyes staring at her in curiosity and concern. Mbali slowly stroked the kitten’s head, its fur smooth and soft beneath her fingers.

“Where did you come from, little one?” Mbali asked, hugging the kitten close to her chest. The kitten looked up at her and opened its mouth.

“The forest god sent me,” the kitten replied. “I am your family now.”

Mbali’s mouth opened wide. “You can talk?”

“Yes. Now look outside, at the border between the forest and the village,” the kitten ordered.

Mbali stepped outside, shocked at what she saw. Wrapped around the forest were huge vines of thorns, so dense that no human could crawl past.

“W-what is this?” Mbali whispered.

“Now the monsters can’t come inside. You’ll be safe here, little flower,” the kitten told her, licking at Mbali’s cheek with its rough tongue.

Mbali smiled, feeling like a weight had been lifted from her chest. Of course, the Monster King’s eyes were always watching, but he was far away in the sky, and they couldn’t do anything to her.

For the next six years, Mbali and her kitten lived together in the forest. Mbali named her new friend Navi, and she loved him wholeheartedly. Navi would go hunting and bring little forest treats for Mbali. The two of them were never far away from each other for too long, and Mbali noticed that Navi never grew old or sick.

Eventually, Mbali forgot about the outside world, and her pain over the loss of her parents eased.

“You are all I need in this world, Navi,” she told him. “Stay by my side forever and always.”

“I promise,” Navi replied.