Whisper of a Hidden Forest: A Journey
An entity. A presence. Alive. Throbbing.
In that forgotten fragment of Estonia, where even the map whispers secrets and the lakes reflect more than mere images — perhaps dreams, perhaps memories — a forest resides. Not just any forest, but The Forest. The nearby villages, with their ancient homes and tales passed from generation to generation, speak of it with a reverence bordering on the sacred. An entity. A presence. Alive. Throbbing.
Are there legends? Absolutely. They come alive on cold nights when the wind howls and shadows dance. Legends of a fire unseen by mortal eyes but felt with the heart and grasped with the soul. Legends that, while invisible, possess the power to alter lives.
One day, swathed in a cloak of curiosity, three souls — with their pasts and futures, joys and sorrows — ventured into this enigma. One man and two women, each bearing their unique burdens and glories. Though different as day and night, a shared desire drove them: to touch the untouchable, to witness the invisible.
As they ventured deeper into this verdant maze, whispers from the past grew louder. Every tree, every stone, every creature seemed to narrate tales. The travelers, with their measured steps and pounding hearts, found themselves wrapped in an almost esoteric, magical aura.
At the core of this sanctuary, a revelation awaited them. There were no embers, no dancing flames, but a palpable presence, warmth, and acknowledgment. Silently, each was mirrored by their own soul’s reflection.
Jaak, who in life had favored gold over goodness, was met with the image of a gnarled, starving tree. In a heartbeat, a transformation occurred. He personified his own avarice.
Annika, with eyes that seldom shed tears and a heart rarely given to love, saw her reflection as a barren tree, perpetually awaiting a spring that eluded it. She, too, melded with the landscape, becoming a timeless testament to her solitude.
As destinies unfurled, only Sofia, with her lyrical soul and penetrating gaze, remained standing. The fire, in its hushed wisdom, did not morph her but bestowed upon her a mission: to relay the tale, to describe the indescribable.
Shouldering this hefty duty yet with unyielding resolve, Sofia returned to the realm of humans. She crafted with words, serenaded with poetry, and passionately recounted her odyssey. While many stood in awe, only a handful genuinely comprehended.
The forest, guardian of its cryptic tales and ceaseless flame, lingers, ever watchful. And the fire, in its silent perpetuity, continues its dance — judging, cherishing, transforming, daring every sojourner to delve deep within and confront their true essence.
Did you enjoy this short story? Let me know in the comments or give it a clap. Thank you for your support.