The children had played at the beaver pond all afternoon but now with the shadows growing longer and a coolness in the air they knew that it was time to head for home. A short walk through the little wood would find them back in their garden just in time for tea. The eldest and natural leader Erica heads up the little band as they follow the path into the trees. Eliel is next in line, and while he thinks he knows the way he is more comfortable following his older sister and little Grey is content just to follow where the others lead. After a while the path that Erica thought she knew so well has somehow become less familiar and the seeds of doubt have begun to creep in. 'Are we lost?' asks Eliel. 'I'm not sure,' replies Erica, 'but we ought to be home by now.' Before long they emerge into a clearing with several paths leading off but there are no signposts. Feeling tired and anxious, the children sit down to rest on an old log, little knowing that they will remember for ever and ever what is about to happen next.