The Whispering Woods and the Lost Laughter

Previously

…A chorus of delighted squeaks and trills erupted from the sprites. Lily clapped her hands, her own laughter bubbling over. Barnaby, the stern guardian, the rule-follower, the badger who had once forbidden even a single snicker, found himself grinning from ear to ear. He still had rules, of course. But perhaps, just perhaps, some rules were meant to be broken, especially when the consequence was this much fun. He watched Lily chase a group of sprites through the sun-dappled glade, her laughter echoing through the trees, and for the first time in a very long time, Barnaby the badger felt a sense of deep, contented joy. The Whispering Woods were finally whispering happy secrets.