Lost in the Forest

Mark was one who had the interests of a typical boy. Even though he was 14, he had dreams of becoming an explorer. He dreamt of climbing mountains, finding Yetis in jungles and he had many other dreams. He was also often clumsy. Frequently, when he came home from school, he looked like one who had come out from the bin. He always had an excuse for that, like ‘I was catching beetles in the bushes’ and so on. However, Mark’s father did not encourage Mark to explore and be adventurous, so Mark was often reprimanded by his parents.

Daniel was Mark’s father. He was 47. Unlike Mark, he never wanted to look untidy. He was even called ‘Tidy Guy’ by his colleagues. He had gold hair and a thick moustache that resembled Hitler’s. Daniel was a professional pianist.

Bryan was Mark’s older brother. He was the kind of person you would never expect in a boy. He liked playing with Barbie dolls and tea houses. He liked to read and play girly stuff, even at the age of 19. However, he had wanted to be a mechanic when he grew up.


“Dad, can I explore a mountain or forest by myself, please?” Mark asked Daniel, looking up hopefully at him. “Please…”

Daniel looked down at Mark, and sighed. “No, and when I say no, I mean no. Now, get back to your math homework now. Or else…”

Mark hung his head down silently and walked away. He had been trying to persuade Daniel to let him explore a place of his own choice without getting reprimanded. He knew what ‘or else’ meant. He had been hearing the same phrase since the day he had transferred to his new school. He had transferred because he had gotten into a gifted program. His new friends were talking about how brave their fathers were and how they were like their fathers. Since then, Mark had been trying his best to prove himself to his friends that he was brave.

Mark walked to his room and lay down on his bed, gazing up at the ceiling. When would my father let me explore? After five minutes, he went to do his homework, sighing occasionally…

A few weeks later, Mark held a birthday party. There were so many games and so much food. Mark and his friends were enjoying themselves to the fullest. When the birthday cake came, a birthday song was sung and Mark blew the candles out, and muttered a wish. It was a memorable day for Mark.

After everyone had left, Daniel called Mark to his room, and asked Mark, “What was the wish you uttered just now? I will try my best to fulfill that wish, to make your birthday a memorable one.”

Mark hesitated. He did not know whether to speak or not. Finally, he blurted, “I wished for independence. I wished that I could explore the world around me, instead of being forced to stay at home. I want my freedom!” Mark suddenly changed from being happy to angry.

Daniel looked at Mark, and shook his head sadly. “Ok. I promised it, and I will do it. You can go exploring. Just don’t blame me if you get injured or hurt.”

Mark could not believe his ears. Daniel had finally let him explore the forest by himself! He could imagine himself climbing Mount Hengen with his friends. He imagined himself climbing at a faster rate than his friends. He imagined his friends bowing down to him as if he were a god. He imagined himself being carried by his friends on stage. He imagined his friends being his servants.

However, his imagination was spoilt when Daniel laid down the conditions to what Mark could explore. He would be exploring the secluded forest nearby. He would be exploring by himself, and that was a good thing to him. This was not all. He could not boast to his friends about this, or he would be in trouble. This was because Daniel did not want Mark to make a nuisance of himself. He did not want Mark to show off, as that would show that he was not humble.

Still, he could go exploring. He tried to look as happy as he could, although he still looked glum to Daniel.

“Why do you look so upset, Mark? Is there anything wrong?” Daniel looked at Mark grimly.

“No, it’s nothing. I just don’t believe that you would let me have my independence,” Mark said, grinning. Mark knew that his lie would not have made any sense at all, because his looks and expressions had betrayed him. Still, his lie was half-true. Mark was happy about being given independence. He was just angry about the conditions that Daniel had laid down for him.

Daniel put his arm around Mark. He told Mark that boys had to have independence someday.


It was the day of exploring. Mark and his father ran to their car with Mark’s brother, Bryan. His father came because he had to fetch Mark back home after exploring. Mark was not too happy about that. Nevertheless, Mark could hardly contain his excitement, while Bryan was sitting at the back, playing with his newest Barbie doll.

However, the car broke down halfway. Coincidentally, it broke down at the edge of another forest, instead of the intended forest. Daniel called for the mechanic, while Mark ran off into the forest with a notebook for sketching. Mark was elated.

Mark was walking around, looking at the spiders and monkeys. He made sketches of the animals. He even noticed an animal that he had never come across before – the Proboscis Monkey! He also saw many trees in the forest that he had never read of.

Mark was walking along. Suddenly, he tripped over a stone. Or was it a stone? Mark tried to brush off the dirt on him. He could feel twigs and soil. He looked around him. There was darkness. For the first time, he could not see a thing.

After a few seconds, the world around Mark started to brighten. He looked around again. He could see walls around him. The walls were made of sand and mud. He tried to think where he might be. All of a sudden, he gasped in horror. It was a bear pit or a bear trap that he was in!

He shouted for help for a long time. After what seemed like eternity, Mark could hear footsteps somewhere above him. He looked up, and shouted for help again.

The footsteps came closer. Mark was very relieved. This time when he looked up, he saw something that looked like a bear. He shrieked.

The creature looked at him. It growled and crawled away. Mark shivered like jelly. He dared not look up. Suddenly, Mark heard a gunshot. It was followed by a growl, then silence.

Mark could hear footsteps again. This time, he looked up and saw a forest ranger. The ranger took a large, strong stick and hauled Mark out of the bear trap. The ranger could see that Mark’s leg was limped after his fall into the pit.

The forest ranger helped limping Mark back to the car. Mark could see his brother looking at how the mechanic was repairing the car. Daniel was looking at the mechanics fixing the car, with no interest at all. When Mark caught sight of his father, he shouted immediately, “Daddy!”

Daniel looked back, and ran towards Mark. He wanted to know why Mark was in that condition and the forest ranger explained to Daniel.

After the car was fixed, Daniel drove Mark to the hospital as quickly as he could. Mark was nursed back to health after a week’s stay at the hospital.

Mark was not allowed to explore by himself again. Instead, he was allowed to explore with his friends! Well, at least Mark could explore wherever he wanted… Mark began imagining his friends bowing down to him, praying to him, worshipping him again…