My Forest

Our journey starts at an empty spot of grassland. We are surrounded by trees and nature—surrounded by life. The fresh smell of blooming flowers enters our noses and reaches our brains. From above, bright rays of sunlight shine down upon us.
We hear a vivid ecosystem, yet our eye barely catches any glimpse of it. We feel the wind blow through our hair, guiding our ways or leading us into darkness. We feel the earth beneath our feet, rumbling at one moment, while frozen at another. We see the trees, bushes, and grassfields transform—their appearance shifting as the world keeps on running.
Yet there is one more thing we can observe. In the far corner of our eye we spot movement. Something is rustling through the airy bushes. It takes us a moment to focus as we remain perfectly silent. The quiet gives room for a head to pop into our sights. The small form of a deer slowly becomes visible to us, lowering its head and drinking from a shallow pond.
Just as all things in the forest surrounding it, this creature has a story. It has a life consisting of a past and future. It has a purpose, whether that might be something individual or something for the greater good. We all have something to live for.

Allow me to take you deeper into these woods, deeper into the lives that depend on its existence, but also deeper into the secrets this forest is hiding from us. We see an empty hut. At first sight, it doesn't seem like anything special. Its geometrical wooden edges contrast sharply with the organic flow of the surroundings, yet it doesn't appear out of the ordinary for us. The dark colour of the wood provides the settlement with a strong camouflage amidst the trees. It also doesn't go unnoticed that nature is gradually exploring its connection to this landmark. The moss is reaching multiple parts of the hut as different types of species and creatures claim corners of it as their own habitat. We see a broken window, removing the glass barrier between the habitats on contrasting sides of the walls. A damp wood on top of the house forms the roof and rotting planks along the sides of the hut reinforce its silhouette.
Now what would you think lives in a hut like this? A creature? Maybe nothing? This is exactly what the beauty of this very landmark is. For when we enter the hut, we see no movement. No swift shadows dive away into the dark. No pairs of eyes stare right back at us. But still—we enter a place of purpose.
The forest has held this place as a safe shelter for those in need of it: Protecting adventurous humans from the cold and harshness of nature. Providing a family of bunnies a safe and cozy room to grow up and explore. Giving over a thousand spiders their quiet nook to crawl and spin. This hut has always embodied the very purpose of our forest: to provide a place for those in need.

Now, our journey hasn't ended yet, so please follow me deeper into this whimsical place.
At this new location we once again find a lot to unravel. However, it might not be as obvious as our earlier visited landmarks.
Let us start by closing our eyes for a second. Take in the true beauty of this spot as I describe to you what we can observe here.
We are standing deep in the forest, nowhere near a path or any form of human pollution. We hear a creek. Its water gently drips down to wherever this stream will find balance. We feel the floating ashes of those around us as they glare upon us with contentment and peace. We hear the leaves rustling high above our heads, causing the sun to occasionally grant our faces the brightness and warmth of this very place. We hear the chirps and trails of animals all around us, each on their own journey through this forest they proudly call their home. We can feel the remoteness and pureness in the air. The slow, untouched atmosphere shivers over our skins and the soothing smell of decomposition enters our noses.
Let us take a moment to carefully reopen our eyes. Let us observe the beauty in person, the waving and organic movement of all that is around us. Let us see the trees walking by as we spot a family of wandering hounds from afar.
Let us enjoy this moment, and think about the harmony of this forest. A place where every creature and natural phenomenon has their own designed story. Let us observe the rippling of the water that gradually makes its way through their own lifecycle, never knowing when or where it will end up.
We are once again faced with the purpose of our forest, the home to many and final resting place for many more. All carried through nature's care in the warmth of sunlight and the guiding drift of the wind—wherever it might lead them.

Okay, are you ready for one of our final destinations? A location showing us a more magical, idyllic vision of what this place could mean to you. You know what, let me just show you, and I promise it will be so much more than what you ever expected it to be.
We curiously walk around the forest, welcomed by the true experience of what nature provides. The dead leaves crunch underneath our feet. With the sun set, a darker, more ethereal version of our forest emerges. But don't worry, ultimately this provides us with a clearer and more complete experience of the forest—in particular the spot we are at right now. For as we walk along the trees—with the brownish, dead leaves crunching beneath our feet—we notice some unusual shapes. Dimmed purple light emitting from tent-shaped stems of large trees. Their leaves had left them behind and with that, the trees found their new purpose in this part of the forest. Blood red trails lead up to the entrances of the trees where the purple lights bloom the brightest, illuminating the environment in a soft, hazy glow.
As we walk along the tent-like trees, a chilly, yet comfortable night breeze sets up. We see various rodents making their way over the muddy floor, some of them scouring for food while others are just making their way through their shaded homelands. Though no two creatures, no two trees or interpretations of it share the same goals, they all have their own purpose, fitting in with the never ending cycle of commitment to the forest and their environment.

Was that everything you ever dreamt of and more? Was this interpretation of my forest as idyllic as I brought it to you? Regardless, allow me to take you to the final destination of my forest. Allow me to show you a beauty no spot in this forest can surpass. Allow yourself to be immersed in wonderland magic. Allow me to show you a place no other can surpass.

We find ourselves in a forest glade similar to the previous one. The sun has fully made way for the moon and stars to make their appearance amongst the empty sky. Even though their lights don't shine as bright as the burning sun, their presence creates a perfect setting where the forest gives our new atmosphere some brightness. The chilly feel of the night now prominently settles in, soothing us to a cold breeze. We see a forest pathway. Candles made out of branches, split off of empty stems to warmly light both sides of the pathway. Up in the distance, a vague but oh so beautiful presence is noticeable. It’s a clear presence—nearby, but invisible. Its shape is not for us to see, but its hands wrap around you in a chilly fog.
We slowly make our way towards the presence, while remaining fascinated by the bodies piling up next to us. Their calm and natural form has been restored, their purpose fulfilled. They are here to behold, to make us feel safe, to guide us towards the path they once took.
We come ever so close to the presence until we notice it around us, seasoning the forest with its invisible touch. The trees lose their beauty and the lit path turns dark.

Two narrow, bright purple eyes look at you. Inspecting you top to bottom as the fog shapes around you.

Thank you my friend, thank you for fulfilling your purpose.