Mira’s Four-Season Key — The straight lines splitting the tree into four parts look like window frames, but Mira knew they were the edges of a hidden door. Read the full story →
The straight lines splitting the tree into four parts look like window frames, but Mira knew they were the edges of a hidden door.
A gust rattled the bare winter branches just as a single fall leaf skittered across the bottom right panel. Mira grabbed the tiny silver key tied around her neck—the object her grandmother had left her—and pressed it to the tree trunk where all four seasons met. Can you find that meeting place, right in the center of the page? The bark gave a quiet click.
First, a spring blossom opened on the left, then the smiling summer sun blinked from the upper corner, as if keeping watch. “Not yet,” whispered the tree. Mira had to solve the secret in order: flower, sun, falling leaf, snowflake. Can you find a five-petal flower near the upper left branches? Can you spot the snowflake closest to the trunk on the winter side? When Mira touched each sign with the key, the four panels shimmered. Behind the trunk was not a treasure chest, but a small wooden box holding seeds labeled “For the next season.” Mira smiled, tucked one seed into her pocket, and listened as the tree rustled with tomorrow’s weather.