Lately, I've been going through new experiences. Yesterday I was in the woods, the forest for the first time in my life. I had one particular idea that kept resonating in my mind. Murakami, what was the name of your novel? But I had a stronger feeling. I was honestly frightened. To me, the forest is a living organism. If it likes me, it welcomes me; if not, it can swallow me whole. Which novel Haruki
When I entered, I used the main road. But something inside me whispered, 'Do not be afraid, you will not be swallowed today.' I stepped off the main road to use a narrower, wilder path. The road ahead is a steep, sloppy incline, winding through towering trees. The ground is blanketed with countless fallen leaves, concealing the uneven terrain beneath my feet. Each step is uncertain. I stop and look back, realizing it’s just me and the trees. They watch me as I watch them, and for a moment, we share a quiet appreciation.
When I look at them, I don’t see mere wood and branches. I see the greatest engineers on Earth, a masterpiece of chemistry that transformed the very color of the planet. How different was the world before them? How much did they shape it after? Even humanity's impact, vast as it seems, still pales in comparison to theirs. But I wonder, what do they see when they look at us? Is there anything about us worth their appreciation?
Suddenly, a wave of fear washed over me. The excitement I had felt moments ago began to fade as I remembered the name of the novel, Kafka on the Shore. As beautiful as the forest can be, as scarier it can get if you lower your caution. I trusted my physical abilities to handle any dangers, but nature’s unpredictability was beyond my control. And Oshima is not here to help.
I turned and ran toward the main road. But the creatures I feared most weren’t the wolves or the wild pigs. It was the towering, conscious trees above me, their unseen eyes fixed on me, talking in a language I didn’t understand. They can feel me and count my heartbeats. I kept running uphill, and my physical abilities reached their limit. The path is not for humans to walk into. I hear voices coming from the unseen cracks of the earth. I keep calm try to control my bad thoughts and focus on reaching the main road. I started to feel pain in my ankle, my physical abilities reached their limits. But as much as I fear and appreciate the trees, as much as I believe in the human being. If trees were nature's greatest engineers, we would be nature's greatest invention.
I reach the main road, tired and exhausted. I look back at the trees, still surrounding me on all sides, and smile. "Thanks for letting me through." I find the path down and start running, the steep incline causing my speed to increase. I push with all the strength in my legs to maintain the acceleration, enjoying the sensation of flying while still grounded on earth.
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