Lithuanian Tales, #2: 'The Birchwood'

‘The Birchwood’ is another short story I wrote in September 2000 (and recently rediscovered!) on coming back from my first extended period in Lithuania - here lightly edited for publication.

It was getting dark when we set off into the birchwood – darker than it should have been in August. Thankfully, the red sun was behind us; its light turned the trees…