1
" He plunged into the foliage, and was swept into a humid, wet world of towering trees, animal chirps and thick ferns. After a few steps, he turned, and could barely make out the village. He walked a few more steps. He could see nothing now except for the thick trees and long ferns and grasses that surrounded him. He was enveloped into the confined space between trees, surrounded by the jungle heat and staccato chirps. He turned in the direction of the village, but could only see thick, dense trees. Hoping his sense of direction had not been muddled, he turned back around to the direction of the alleged ocean, and kept walking.
Now the calls he heard sounded more and more strange. How far had he walked by now? The jungle, or rain forest, whatever it was, did not relent, and he kept on weaving into narrow gaps between the sturdy ferns and towering trees, pressing onwards. This continued for a seemingly oppressive amount of time, and he began to doubt his decision. To come to this place. To take a chance with his life, which was going in the right direction. Why couldn’t he be happy with the normal and mundane, he cursed, scolding his own stubbornness "
― T.P. Grish , Maldives Malady: A Tropical Adventure
4
" The Forest is dark, dearie, The Forest is dark;
The moment you think that you’re lost in the woods, then you are.
Do not lose your way, dearie, Do not lose your way;
The monsters are lurking not far from the path should you stray.
Things aren’t what they seem, dearie, Things aren’t what they seem;
Kind grins are bared teeth; Please don’t answer the calls from the trees.
Do not pay them heed, dearie, Do not pay them heed;
Hear footsteps behind you, beware but don’t fret, they’re just checking.
The air is alive, dearie, The air is alive;
To help and to hinder, but it’s how some learned to survive.
These woods are too old, dearie, These woods are too old;
Watch for crimson wraiths, keep your strength and wits close should you go.
Deep in the Forest. "
― Emory R. Frie