So Easily

The bright, early summer sun shone brightly, reflecting on the crystal clear, blue green lake and in the wide eyes of the many campers arriving that Sunday morning in June. The camp had an air of freshness about it—newly painted signs for the bunk porches, freshly mowed grass on the fields and the lawns, and a fresh coat of white paint on the wooden sign which proudly boasted the words “Camp Woodmount” to all passer-byers. All the kids were excited—both old and new. New campers ran to meet and hug and laugh and giggle with old friends while new campers stood in awe of the new experiences and the wonderful outdoors set before them.

Off the bus from Boston stepped a young girl, just fourteen. She pushed her light blonde hair out of her almost clear blue eyes, and a smile spread across her pretty face as she threw her back pack over her shoulder. She took in the sights, sounds, and smells of the camp—everything reminded her of good memories from the many years before.

“Courtney!!!” a voice called from across the sea of people wandering about the camp. The girl’s blue and white sneakers flew across the gravel and grass as she ran to her friends from past years at Camp Woodmount. The four girls linked arms, chattering away, and headed off to the cabins to meet their new cabin mates and make new friends.

Stepping off another bus, just in from New York City, a tall boy looked around. His dark brown hair ruffled as he ran his fingers through it. He was excited about this summer at camp. He loved the outdoors, and the camp was amazingly beautiful. Being a new camper, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but he knew he was going to have fun. Besides, pretty girls were all over the camp, and plenty of guys that looked like they would make awesome friends. As of now, Daniel didn’t know any of them, but that would change before long.

The first day of camp came and went quickly. As did the second and the third. On the fourth day, Courtney and Daniel’s cabins were paired together for a hike. Courtney sat atop a very large boulder beside the trail, eating her lunch alone, thinking about everything and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

“If I could be anything in the world, I would be a mountain stream just like that one over there,” a voice said, startling Courtney. She jumped and looked back. “I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to scare you. May I sit here?”

“It’s a free country…” Courtney said, but scooted over anyways, smiling to herself shyly.

“If I could be anything, I would be a deer,” Courtney sighed. “Why would you be a stream?”

“Because it’s graceful and beautiful and knows exactly where it’s going. Why would you be a deer?”

“Because it’s the most beautiful creature in the whole wide world…” Courtney sighed, pulling her knees to her and smiling, closing her eyes. Daniel smiled at her.

“I’m Daniel.”

“Courtney. Is this your first year at camp?”

“Yeah, I like it so far. Look—the rest of the group is leaving—we better catch up,” Daniel jumped down and held out his hand. Courtney took it, and the two caught up to the group. Over the rest of the day, they got to know each other better. And, as children do so easily, they began to fall in love…