The Secret of the Forest

THE SECRET OF THE FOREST

The first rays of the rising sun dipped the sky in a warm orange-red. Taking a deep breath, the ranger stopped on a small hill and let his gaze wander across the forest. How he loved these peaceful early hours of the day! No social noise, only the chirping of birds, the rustling of tiny animals gathering fruits, nuts and seeds, and of course the wise whisperings of trees. Suddenly a spot of bright light caught his eye. It came from the clearing where he had built a little cabin some years ago. The door was never locked, so that wanderers and mushroom pickers who lost their way or got caught in a thunderstorm, would find a shelter. But the fireplace of the cabin would never radiate such a beaming light. A wildfire? No, he would have already sensed it. Anyway, he had to check whether everything was alright.

After half an hour, the forest ranger had reached the clearing, and found the door of his little hut wide open. A lanky boy with dark soulful eyes, about 10 years of age, was sitting at the wooden table.

“Good morning!” he said in a soft and friendly voice. “I gathered raspberry leaves, peppermint and lemon balm. Would you like a cup of tea?”

“Morning!” the forester answered surprised. “As it so happens this is my favorite herbal mixture.”

“I know! Come in and take a seat!” the boy said mysteriously, a winning smile on his face. 

Confused, the man sat down, a guest at his own table.

“Have you spent the night alone in the forest?” he asked, and when the child nodded, he continued, “Your parents will be worried about you! Know what? I’ll walk you home!”

“That’s very kind of you but there is absolutely no need to. There is nobody waiting for me.”

The ranger frowned. “But ​you need someone to take care of you , to look after you, and to protect you!” 

The lad laughed. “To protect me from what? Can you show me a place where it is more peaceful than here in the woods?” 

“You can’t live alone just like that! We are social beings, we need human company to lead satisfying lives and to learn from each other. And every child needs adult people to care for them, to guide and to love them!” 

“Yes, okay but you would agree that

the woods are often not half as dangerous as human society? “

“I think that you are much too young to make such judgments, my friend! But you have got a point here. The forest is a well structured organism, following natural laws. Every animal, every plant and every microorganism has to perform their task to contribute to the well-being of the whole community, even if the one they support is a competitor!”

“Interesting! How does it work?”

“Well, It all depends on good communication. Above all, trees have a good amount of information. Through their root systems, their leaves and specific scents, they warn each other of dangers, for example. The entire forest as a social system is always the focal point of the endeavor.”

“So, trees are kinda better humans?” The boy grinned. 

“Well, that’s saying too much. But that gets close to the core of the matter. You don’t believe it? Come on, I will show you!” 

Roaming the woods, guided by a child, the forest ranger experienced the most exciting and insightful hours of his entire life. He introduced the lad to the hidden life of trees and enjoyed the discussions with his companion. 

“Wow, your findings are more than interesting!” the boy exclaimed admiringly. “You have really profound knowledge! Have you already passed on your treasure of experience? Written a book or made a documentary?” 

“No. No, people would laugh at me!” the ranger objected. 

“I don’t think so. Just give it a try! “

The forester stood in silence. The boy was right. The time was ripe! He felt lighthearted and satisfied. Indeed, plans to write a book and to offer guided forest tours had been on his mind for a while. 

But regardless of his wise thoughts and words – this boy was still a child that needed to be taken care of. The following day he would send the local teacher to the cabin. She was a kind and caring woman, and would be able to give expert advice on how to deal with this special child.

Early the next morning, the teacher sought out the boy, and talked to him for hours. When she finally returned home, she beamed with delight, but she would never tell any details about her encounter with the extraordinary child.

It was the same with the priest, the baker, the carpenter, the librarian, and all the other citizens. Each and every day, one of them visited the boy at the little hut amidst the forest, and came back in a peaceful mood, full of vital energy.

After a few weeks, the mayor called a meeting.

“We cannot continue with this situation!” he began. “An orphan child living all alone in the forest! This is not good!” Indignant crosstalk was the answer.

After shushing the community, the mayor said, “Listen – as we all have become fond of this blessed child, my wife and I decided to welcome the boy into our family and treat him like our son. He will have anything he needs, and he will legally stay here in our village. Are there any objections?”

As they all agreed to this plan, the next day a delegation was sent to the forest in order to pick up the boy and bring him to the mayor’s home. This time, the windows of the cabin were not brightly lit, like they had always been during the last weeks. The child was probably gathering herbs or berries.

One woman opened the door slightly, but then she turned around uneasily. .

“Look!” she called out: “No trace of him, and all is perfectly tidied up!” 

Worried, the citizens began to look wide and far for the boy, but they couldn’t find him anywhere.

“Oh my goodness!” a girl shouted with tears in her eyes. “What shall become of us now?” 

An elderly man, one of the few people who had never visited the child, grumbled scornfully,

“You fools! Stop chasing phantoms now! It is time to face the truth. There isn’t anything this youth has ever done for you!” 

Before a wave of protests could erupt, a young woman said calmly and convincingly, “Yes, you are right! This boy has literally done nothing! Think about it please: He did not give us rules or guidelines. He did not teach us certain lessons. He did not prompt us to follow his way of life. But he showed us how it is to pay close attention, to stay in one’s own truth, to believe in one’s dreams, to follow one’s heart, and to treat everybody with loving kindness!”

“Amen to your words!” the priest said. “It is true!” Each and everyone who had contact with the boy, changed and became a better version of themselves. Let’s go back and gather in the church to give thanks to God for the blessing He sent us in the shape of this kind nature loving boy!”