The Boy and the Reindeer

Leo lives in a small town at the edge of the northern woods and spends his mornings outdoors in his mustard-yellow sweater and blue scarf, carrying a canvas satchel, pencil and rolled-up map. One crisp day he encounters a reindeer with a warm brown coat, a cream chest, wide branching antlers and a small brass bell on its red collar. Rather than fleeing, the reindeer waits, and Leo chooses to follow it and draw wherever it leads.

Across spring, summer, fall and winter, Leo trails the reindeer past tall pines, a bubbling stream, a muddy trail and a hidden meadow of wildflowers. He meets an old bird watcher in a red knitted hat who explains that migrating birds reuse the same paths each year, and he spots a rabbit on the same trail. As the seasons turn, Leo marks resting spots, feeding places and winter routes on his map, gradually seeing how the paths form one connected net. Written by Çınar BİBER, this gentle tale can be read on Masalcı Baba.