The Wisdom of The Forgotten Forest
Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away, there was an honorable king named Philip. King Philip’s reign was respected by all his subjects. However, the king lived in the shadow of a persistent fear: The Forgotten Forest.
The forest had been given its name by the inhabitants of the kingdom due to the mysterious phenomena occurring inside that appeared to baffle all understanding. It was said to have a curse, turning anyone that ventured inside hopelessly lost, never to come back. Despite the fear, King Philip was consumed by an insatiable curiosity to unveil the forest’s mystery.
Determined, King Philip enlisted the most powerful sorcerer in the kingdom, Old Man Wizen. Together, they undertook the perilous journey into the heart of the Forgotten Forest.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, they encountered creatures that no human eye had ever seen. Mythical animals, strange plants and, above all, an overwhelming sense of tranquillity. The forest was not only unusual but surprisingly serene.
Hours turned to days, days turned to weeks, and yet they found no end. The unpredictability of time in the forest did nothing to lessen their determination. They continued their journey, fuelled by the desire to dispel the exhausting fear that gripped their kingdom.
Finally, in the heart of the pristine emerald beauty, they came upon an old gigantic tree. The tree was old and wise, with a bark full of intricate patterns, and leafy boughs laden heavily with ripe fruits. It was named 'Wisdom' by the forest dwellers, for it was believed to possess an unfathomable understanding of the universe.
Upon seeing the visitors, the tree used its magical ability to communicate. It spoke, 'Welcome, King Philip and Old Man Wizen. You come in search of answers, and they will be given to you. The forest doesn't trap anyone; it merely reveals a person’s true character. Those who are pure of heart can always find their way out, but those who carry ill-intentions become lost, trapped within their own greed and fear.'
The revelation stunned both listeners. All this time, the kingdom had been living in fear of the forest because their hearts were not pure. They failed to see the forest was not a menace, but a mirror reflecting their inner beings.
King Philip, humbled by the wisdom, returned to his kingdom with profound understanding and humility, promising to embrace love and compassion towards all. As for Old Man Wizen, he remained in the forest, living harmoniously with the site of enlightenment.
Under King Philip's reign, the kingdom began to flourish, free from the inexplicable fear of the Forgotten Forest. As for the Old Man Wizen, it was said that his power grew beyond the realm of mortals, as he continued to live in the forest, learning from the Wisdom Tree.
The story of the Forgotten Forest brought forth a change, not only in the kingdom's perspective toward the forest but also in their dealings with each other. They learned that their fears were merely a reflection of what dwelled within them. As soon as they changed their hearts, the once feared forest turned into a sanctuary of wisdom and enlightenment.
As the tale of the Forgotten Forest and its wisdom unfolded, generations learned the vital lesson it held: ‘the outside world is only a reflection of our inner selves’.