Did you hear the story of Tla, the Dryad of the White Witch's winter? Did you hear of the clearing she made?
Did you see the trunks of the trees, holding her sleeping kin? As she packed them all round with white snowdrifts, the cold holding warmth within?
Did you see the crystalline ice, sheathing the branches and leaves? As if the world had a mirror, or the trees had clear crystal sleeves?
Did you see her clear-patterned footprints, her dances of flowers and hearts? Did you see the wonder of winter, the place where joy made a mark?
Did you hear the laughter and singing, her heart so fully alive, that her words and her voice all expressed it, and you felt your own life revive?
Did you hear of the life of Tla, the Dryad no blizzard could silence?
The White Witch heard of this Dryad, and then—
We can't finish that sentence.
But did you hear of the end of her story? The coming of Aslan the King? Did you hear how He breathed on her ashes, and with His breath brought her spring?
Did you hear that she laughed; how she loved Him! But how she looked at the spring He had brought us, and her joy and her laughter fell dim.
Then He gave her this promise—now mark it! The King of all life and all love, promised Tla that the winter would come when its coming was fit.
And so in this coming of winter, when your hearts beat fast with cold fear, remember Tla; and remember, Aslan and laughter are near.