The trees in their autumn festive dress of crimson and gold lace seemed to drift in misty lakes. The world was savoring the quiet of the autumn forest. Then suddenly something moved in the distance: as if a small tree had come alive, its bright leaves playing on its graceful branches. The rustling footsteps drew closer and closer, and now a pair of burning amber eyes became visible on the wooden mask of the mysterious guest. No — this was no tree. This was a real Wood Spirit! And not alone, but in the company of a faithful friend. A fox's fiery tail flickered in flame-bright flashes — the clever companion of the Wood Spirit. The fox's keen nose unerringly found the right paths through the silent kingdom of autumn. Together they had walked through the forest for many autumns in a row, and the fox had long known: if the master hurries, the forest is calling again.
In his paw the Wood Spirit carried an enormous basket full of fragrant pumpkins, apples and sweet corn. And the staff of the ancient spirit was adorned with a cluster of scarlet rowan berries. These gifts of autumn were destined for the forest dwellers at the festival of the Autumn Equinox.
And the Wood Spirit was not simply a guest at the harvest festival. He, called Mabon Rustle, had been the keeper of this day since time immemorial, and now hastened to the forest folk to carry out the ancient rite. Rustle will light a candle in his lantern, and autumn will whirl around him in a dance of leaves and mist. And all the forest will feel calm and well. He will summon the joyful autumn, cover the forest in gold and prepare it for the cold.
They say Mabon Rustle arrives imperceptibly — like the first cold wind that drives leaves along the path. But if you listen to the rustle of autumn leaves and catch the smell of damp earth and smoke, it means his lantern is already burning nearby. And the autumn this year will be long, generous and especially beautiful.
Among the forest sprites there is one who shares his love of the autumn pumpkin — the Forest Sprite Pumpkin Keeper. Small, golden-eyed, with amber horns. He found his pumpkin and he's happy.