The Healing Touch: The Story of Falina's Gift

By Cherie Leigh

Welcome to the beautiful land of Winsome Meadows, where the resident animals live in harmony. The heroine of the story, a mysterious lost unicorn named Falina, possesses the special gift to heal with the touch of her horn. Making herself at home in Winsome Meadows, Falina experiences many adventures during a journey finding faith while embracing her gift. The unicorn faces many tragedies and conflicts along the way; however, with guidance from a gentle water angel and a brave Christian knight

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781640962101

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The Healing Touch

Cherie Leigh

Copyright © 2019 Cherie Leigh

All rights reserved

First Edition

Newman Springs Publishing

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2019

ISBN 978-1-64096-209-5 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64096-211-8 (Hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-64096-210-1 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

With all my love

to my children:

Collin, Charis, Garren, and Ava

May you envision great imaginative dreams and draw close to God in all you experience.

—Cherie Leigh

Chapter One

Lost and Found

Cradled beneath the bowed branches of a weeping willow tree, a fair and enchanting unicorn mysteriously appeared one warm morning in a land called Winsome Meadows. She was nestled in comfort among the swaying branches of the towering tree. The wind whistled through its plumy leaves, and it seemed to play a welcoming lullaby in her honor.

All the animals dwelling in the nearby forests and hills came down to meet this intriguing creature. The rabbits, squirrels, deer, and other critters chatted among themselves. They agreed unanimously that they had never seen a real unicorn. Only in legend had they heard of them. They peered under the tree’s canopy of sweeping limbs to get a better look at this enchanting creature. Immediately, they were convinced that she must be the real thing, for on her forehead appeared her legendary trademark—the unicorn’s source of power—a long spiraled alicorn, more commonly referred to as a horn. It seemed to sparkle and glow as if its mysterious power emanated from within. The unicorn was truly a miraculous creation of God.

The delicate white creature gracefully stood up from her cradled position and shook her flowing mane. She stretched her elegant long legs, parted the lulling branches of the weeping willow tree with her protruding horn, and walked out of the cooling shade into the sunlight. She surveyed the congregating animals before her. There seemed to be quite an eclectic group of woodland species represented. Comforted by their presence, she held her dainty embellished head up straight and greeted the encircling crowd by simply stating, I am Falina. The animals liked her friendly tone of voice. It was befitting of her beautiful and unusual appearance. They greeted her warmly and nodded their heads approvingly at her.

The unicorn, feeling a bit self-conscious since she was a stranger to these animals, tried to offer an explanation of her appearance there. I hope you do not mind that I stopped here to rest in your gorgeous homeland. I am afraid I am a bit lost. The forest land from where I came was completely destroyed by fire, and it is nothing but wasteland now. I do not really know where to go. Her face turned somber.

A bright red fox crept up to her and gazed into her sad eyes. What a shame, my dear! Of course, you are welcome to stay here for as long as you like. What caused the fire? he asked with sincere interest.

I do not really know, she said. It all happened so fast. One moment, I was with my family enjoying a blissful frolic in the woods. It seemed to be a normal, carefree day, but suddenly the air around us became stagnant. We stopped our playful romping to discern what caused the change. My eyes searched every unicorn member’s face to see if any of them could understand the stillness and smothering silence, but bewildered and worried expressions were all I could see. Our senses became acute and restless when we could feel the ground below us beginning to shake and hear the sound of paws and hooves running toward us. As the stampeding animals got closer, we began to hear their outcries of agonizing screams. They became desperate and panicked as they were heading toward us. Every creature in the forest began to run frantically past me. I was terribly confused, but my instincts took over. I began to run too, sensing some impending danger. The air became thick with smoke filling the atmosphere all around me. Within seconds, I could see and feel the lapping flames of bright fire jumping from tree to tree, right on the back of my heels as I ran! she exclaimed. I could not see much of anything behind or ahead of me as the smoke got black and choked me. The heat of the flames was almost unbearable too. But I kept sprinting forward, desperate to find a clearing and fresh air. I was somehow separated from my family in our dash. I was very afraid. Calling out to them, I got no response. I could only hear indistinguishable, panicky screams around me in the darkness. By the time I made it out of the woods and far enough out of danger to catch my breath in a pocket of fresh air, the fire had encompassed all the forest and surrounding homeland. I saw a few other animals make it out of the woods, but nowhere could I find any of my kind. The fire burned everything in sight, leaving ashes and charred stick figures protruding from the ground that used to be our protective homeland.

The unicorn’s voice began to break up in her sorrow while conveying her sad tale. I searched for my kind for days. I called out to them over and over until I lost my voice. There never was any answer. There was nothing left and nowhere to seek refuge. Bleak destruction was everywhere I looked. I could not bear the thought that my family perished. It was too heartbreaking to stay in that desolate place. There was nothing to hold on to. No hope. I was lost. Falina hung her head. Drudging up all the pain from that fateful day was difficult.

Fascinated by her story, the fox offered his thoughts saying, With that kind of total destruction, it sounds to me as if it could have been a dragon on the prowl. Dragons are awful, temperamental beasts. I’ve been told that a scorned dragon is a relentless beast. Starting a forest fire could easily be accomplished by those fire-breathing varmints! In contempt, the fox crossed his front paws upon each of his forearms, thinking about the dastardly deeds dragons could do.

A mother rabbit with her clan of baby bunnies hopped forward. Now, now, you just hush your mouth, Red! she stammered. You are going to frighten the little ones present here! She tried to make each of her bunnies cover their ears with their petite paws. Don’t you give him any of your attention, she cautioned Falina. He has an active imagination. It could have been any number of things that started that fire. It could have been lightning. Let’s not be talking hastily about a D-R-A-G-O-N! She spelled out the word, hopeful that her little ones would not be wise to the scary conversation.

Falina had never met a dragon. She actually suspected that the fire was most likely conjured up by Garadun, a conniving wizard she knew. He lived with other humans in a neighboring kingdom not far from her home. Several times in the forest, he was seen with his huge book of spells. His focus was always on Falina and her unicorn family. He tried to capture some of the unicorns by using his dark magic and his book of spells. Determined to be the most powerful sorcerer ever, Garadun was convinced that attaining the unicorn’s mysterious powers was what he needed to accomplish this feat.

Falina had witnessed him many times standing in the forest, waving his arms around violently as he uttered strange incantations. He usually wore a hooded robe with long, floppy sleeves. It gave him an evil, dark, and conspiring look. His face was haggard and rough with a long white beard. Falina sensed his heart was full of bitterness and anger, for his squinty eyes held no compassion. For years, he pursued the unicorns of her forest home. He tried to capture them by using his spells, gimmicks, black magic, and merciless trickery.

Luckily, Falina and her family were wise and stayed in groups together at all times. They combined their powers by standing in a circle, facing each other and touching their horns together. This effective act put up an invisible yet strong shield that kept Garadun and his powers at bay. If he tried to approach them, he was shocked by the energy around the horns. He was becoming very irritated at his failed attempts to capture a unicorn to take back to his kingdom and show the king.

Like so many humans, Garadun was motivated by greed and lust for power. Falina used to feel some pity for him, just because he seemed so miserable and never had a smile on his face. But the lengths he went to, trying to catch her family, were hostile and ruthless. She would not put it past him to burn down their forest out of pure spite! If he had started that fire and killed her family, she could never forgive him! However, she would probably never know for sure. This made her loss even harder to bear, because she had no closure from it. Without knowing what happened, she was haunted by the memory of the sad cries—and then complete silence—of the last unicorns that she would ever see.

Falina was relieved when the mother rabbit interrupted her depressing thoughts. Please dear, try to tell us what happened. It might help you to feel better, she said encouragingly.

Laboriously relating the painful memory, the unicorn continued. Well, a small band of animals and I were the only ones that made it out of the fire safely. We wandered around the ruins of our lost home in a stupor, in continual denial. For days, we did not eat. Starvation was beginning to set in, and our bodies were weary. The stench of death and decay filled the air. We were at risk of dying if we stayed in that putrid environment. Finally, as the initial shock of the situation began to wear off, we were forced to come to terms with what had occurred. The reality was that there was nothing we could do to bring our home or loved ones back. We decided the logical decision would be to leave the despair of the barren wasteland and travel together as a pack to look for new homes. She hung her head morosely. "I have been wandering around for weeks now, not knowing where I belong. Lost. It was easy for the other survivors to find new homes. Along the way, they discovered other animals just like them, their own kind. Each one was reluctant to leave our small bonded group, even when they found their ideal havens. I guess we had become very attached to each other, considering the critical circumstances that brought us together in the first place. It was hard to part ways, but I encouraged all of them on our journey to embrace their destinies. There should be no guilt involved. They deserved fulfilling, comfortable lives with their own sort. I was happy for them. One by one, they eventually found their own kind to welcome them.

The last animal to find a home was an eccentric little skunk named Quirky. He was a funny chap and the happy-go-lucky type. He was a great little guy, but he had questionable hygiene. His foul, rather offensive aroma could overpower me at times on our travels together. Sometimes, in the heat of the day, I thought I would pass out.

The animals, listening to her serious story, meant no disrespect to Falina, but they had to chuckle for a moment at her comments about Quirky. They understood all too well the unpleasantness of the wafting, unsavory essence of skunks. A few skunks present at the gathering sheepishly nodded their heads in an apologetic yet agreeing way. They were blatantly aware that their kind could sometimes reek. Some even mocked themselves by the gesture of holding their tiny black button noses closed and making sour faces. Exuberant laughter came from the congregating animals.

Falina could not resist laughing either. The little black-and-white fellows were just the remedy to break the tension in her story. They surely were funny little guys. Falina was relieved that they were not taking offense at her story about Quirky. She really did like the odd stinky fellow and wanted to tell the skunks about the happy ending to his story. Falina continued, Even Quirky was able to find his kind who accepted him in their home unconditionally and loved him just the way he was. The skunks present clapped their hands, delighted for Quirky.

Then Falina’s thoughts reverted to her sad dilemma as she lamented, The last few weeks have been very lonesome for me because I have spent them traveling alone, confused about where to go and where I belong. I have discovered from my travels that I really do not like being on my own. What am I searching for? Falina’s voice was breaking up again. I am not even sure there are any more of my kind left, for I have not seen a single one on my lengthy travels. That is the loneliest feeling of all. Falina sighed with a heavy broken heart.

The red fox, taking in all of Falina’s words this whole time, curled up beside her and wrapped his fluffy tail around Falina’s left front leg in a hugging hold. He said softly, I am so sorry. Nobody deserves to go through what you have been through. You are not alone now, dear. He lovingly patted her with his paws, and kept his tail secured around her leg in a hugging hold.

The other animals nodded sympathetically, agreeing with the fox’s words. They replied in unison, Yes, we are so sorry.

Falina was consoled by the affectionate red fox and all the woodland animals that came out to greet her that fateful day. They were down-to-earth and friendly, sincerely showing their unconditional love and support. Many of the animals even told her of their own personal sad stories so that she would not feel alone in her sadness. It did help Falina to hear that she was not alone in this imperfect world of troubles and heartaches. But what she really loved hearing were the stories the animals shared about the situations that led them to living at Winsome Meadows. Some animals came from other lands that were taken over by humans who forced them out. Others came from overcrowded situations and battles over territories. A few lucky souls were born in Winsome Meadows, and never had to look for another place to live because all they could ever want was right there. It did sound like a wonderful land to the lost unicorn. It was inhabited by many different types of animals—all with the common need to belong and feel loved.

After the stories dwindled, a little chipmunk scurried inside the inner circle. He humbly approached Falina with his tiny hands folded in front of him. He had a wee voice that made Falina laugh inside affectionately. Miss Falina, I really like you. He rubbed his itty-bitty hands together timidly as he spoke. Well, I know I am not your kind, and I am sure everybody here is not your kind. Never have we even seen your special kind. But well, well, I … I … I just like you. That’s all. He stuttered nervously and, at the close of his words, ran in a small circle.

Falina could not help but giggle out loud just a bit, touched by his cute nervous words and reaction. I like you too, she answered. Her reciprocal, positive words pleased the small chipmunk and made him grin ear to ear. His face turned rosy red. All the woodland animals began to laugh at him now because he was really cute. He did not seem to mind their cheerful chuckles. He was focused on Falina, gazing up at her with his beady, sincere eyes.

He added, I think when an animal doesn’t have his specific kind around—because of being so special, rare, and all—well, then he should be able to be adopted by other kinds. His tail began wagging profusely out of control, because he was so excited and eager to hear Falina’s response to his comment this time. Two tiny front teeth hung out of his mouth as he gave a wide smile.

Falina reflected on his words for a moment, then answered, Well, honestly I never thought of it that way. I guess the only thing you need to be a family is love. If creatures love one another unconditionally, I suppose that could be a family of some sort, she conjectured. The tiny chipmunk was pleased with her answer.

The red fox jumped into the conversation. You won’t find a better family than right here! he boasted. We may be rough around the edges, but we know how to love and take care of each other. You’ll find many species here, and we have different-looking outsides—some better-looking than others, mind you—but on the inside, we are all a beautiful, loyal family through and through. Also, a home is where your heart is. I think it’s safe to speak for all of us here and say that we would be honored if you would stay. Come be a part of our imperfect blended family! He gave Falina an affectionate wink.

The other animals chimed in as well. Please stay! We want you to stay! Please, Falina! Stay here and live with us! They hushed themselves after a while, waiting in anxious anticipation for Falina’s response to their pleas. It was quiet with a pensive mood for a few seconds. Falina looked around at the circle of supportive animals. All were smiling and giving her their best Welcome home! expression.

Falina was overwhelmed with emotions. She smiled at her new friends, taking in every gazing eye upon her at the scene, and then simply replied in surrender, I think I am going to like it here.

Cheers rang out. The group took turns hugging Falina and each other, scampering around the weeping willow tree in their celebration. The little chipmunk was so elated that he started turning backflips over and over. Then, after things began to calm down, each animal properly introduced himself to Falina. That was the day that Falina Unicorn was not lost anymore, and she officially became a family member and a resident of Winsome Meadows. Maybe she was only lost initially so that she could be found.

Chapter 2

Special Gifts

There was an undeniable charm about Winsome Meadows. The ideal setting lived up to the name. It was obvious that the land was blessed by God. Falina’s uplifting presence further consecrated the beautiful place. There were orchards full of delectable choice fruit and nut trees. The meadow consisted of inviting lush green grasses, begging for Falina to frolic and graze upon them. The protective outer barrier of the forest—with its huge, leafy canopy—provided excellent shade and coverage for all the residents there. In the heart of the natural beauty of the land, an awe-inspiring, tranquil lake flowed lazily along, winding back and forth between the gently sloping hills. The central location of the lake made it a convenient meeting place where thirsty animals came for a refreshing, cool drink.

The surface of the water, when the sun shone upon it, shimmered like stirred crystals. The lake was so revered, in fact, that it was rumored to be visited often by spiritual beings, commonly referred to as angels. Sometimes, after the angels arose from the water and ascended into the heavens, reportedly the agitation of their huge wings brushing the surface of the water caused large, glistening, circular ripples to form. These ring-shaped undulations vibrated mysteriously, lingering after the departure of the pious supernatural beings. Falina noticed some of these evanescing ripples in the area of the lake that was graced by her most beloved feature of the land—the towering weeping willow tree.

The impressive tree grew beside the bank of the lake in the center of the land. It was the first consoling companion for the unicorn when she wandered into Winsome Meadows. It was the only tree of its kind there. Falina was the only one of her kind there too. This mutual circumstance bonded her to the unique tree. It was only natural that this shared oneness gave her great comfort. She adored everything about this kinship tree, from its heavy masses of unusual bowed limbs to its dangling branches with their sweeping and swaying leaves. Her favorite spot in which to curl up and rest was at the base of its thick trunk. The great arbor provided her shelter and shade. Tucked away in privacy beneath its natural green canopy, she had a panoramic view of the region. She could enjoy the soothing sounds of the peaceful lake flowing beside her treasured hideaway. Yes, Falina surely loved that tree, and she also appreciated all of the special gifts that Winsome Meadows offered.

She had a loving new family too. It was made up of all kinds of creatures with endearing, different personalities and special gifts. Falina decided immediately that she wanted to disclose and share her own special gift with her friends. It was a loving, selfless gift she received at birth. It was contained inside the illuminating spiraled alicorn that grew from her forehead.

One afternoon, after Falina had been living in Winsome Meadows a few days, a number