Emma had always been curious about the old woods behind her house. Every afternoon after school, she would glance out her window at the thick trees and wonder what secrets they held. The woods had been part of her neighborhood for as long as she could remember, but no one ever ventured deep into its shadows. Rumors among the children spoke of strange sounds and mysterious lights, but Emma was determined to find out the truth for herself. One bright Saturday morning, armed with her favorite flashlight, a notebook, and a sense of adventure, Emma decided to explore the woods. Her parents warned her to stay close and be careful, but Emma’s curiosity was stronger than her caution. She took her first steps into the trees, feeling the crunch of leaves beneath her sneakers and the cool breeze through the branches. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground. As she ventured further, Emma noticed the forest grew quieter. Birds and animals seemed to have disappeared, replaced by an eerie stillness. She paused to jot down her observations in her notebook. Suddenly, she heard a faint, melodic sound drifting through the trees. It was like a whispering tune, gentle but clear. She followed the sound, her heart pounding with excitement. Deeper into the woods, Emma discovered a small clearing she had never seen before. In the center stood an ancient oak tree, its trunk wide and gnarled. The melody seemed to emanate from around it. Emma stepped closer and saw something astonishing: nestled among the roots was a tiny, glowing creature. It was no bigger than her hand, with shimmering wings that sparkled like stained glass. Its eyes shone with a gentle light, and it seemed to be humming the mysterious tune. Emma’s first instinct was fear, but the creature’s kind expression calmed her. It fluttered closer and softly spoke in a voice that sounded like wind chimes. “Hello, Emma. I’ve been waiting for someone like you. I am a forest sprite, and I guard this part of the woods. I sing to keep the magic alive here, but I need help.” Emma listened intently as the sprite explained that the magic of the forest was fading because people had been entering the woods carelessly, leaving trash and disturbing the balance of nature. The sprite asked Emma to help protect the woods by spreading awareness and being respectful when exploring nature. From that day on, Emma became a guardian of the woods. She visited her new friend often, learning about the forest’s secrets and sharing her stories with others. The mysterious melody continued to drift through the trees, a reminder that magic exists where we choose to see it. Emma knew that the woods held many more secrets, and she was eager to uncover them, always remembering the day she met the forest sprite and discovered the true magic of curiosity and kindness.

Answer the following questions based on the passage above.