At the edge of the ancient village of ‘Shantipur’ stood a vast, dense forest. It was known as ‘The Lost Forest’ – because once you entered, it was said to be nearly impossible to find your way out. The villagers held many tales about this forest, some filled with fear, others with an unyielding curiosity. It was to this very village that three cousins – Adi, Rumi, and Tisha – had come for their holidays. Adi was calm, with a deep love for nature. Rumi was intelligent and a keen observer. And Tisha was fearless and loved adventure.
Their grandmother’s sudden illness cast a shadow over their village joy. From the village healer to city doctors, no one could pinpoint the exact cause or cure for their grandmother’s ailment. One day, Adi was searching for something in the dusty attic of their old house. Beneath a worn chest, he found a tattered leather map. The map bore strange symbols and the drawing of a tree from which a bright light emanated. Consulting an old manuscript kept beside his grandmother’s bed, Adi realized that this map pointed to a secret location deep within ‘The Lost Forest,’ where a rare medicinal plant called the ‘Life-Giving Vine’ was found. Their ancestors had supposedly used this vine to cure incurable diseases.
“This vine might be able to save Grandma!” Hope flickered in Rumi and Tisha’s eyes. The next morning, with essentials – water, dried food, rope, and a compass – they set off towards the forest. The village elders warned them, “That forest is cursed! Ghosts and spirits roam there!” But for their grandmother, their determination was unyielding.
The forest entrance was covered in thick thorny bushes. Adi, utilizing his knowledge of nature, carefully cleared a path. Rumi cross-referenced the map, while Tisha advanced fearlessly. Inside the forest, even the sunlight struggled to penetrate. Dry leaves and tree roots lay scattered on the damp ground. Suddenly, they began to lose their way. All around them, the trees looked identical, and even the map seemed meaningless.
Just then, Rumi noticed that some tree symbols on the map matched the patterns of leaves on the surrounding trees. “Look! This leaf pattern matches this symbol on the map!” Rumi’s intelligence guided them back to the correct path. As they proceeded a little further, they heard a strange roar. A wild elephant! Tisha quickly fashioned a makeshift swing from a rope on a tree branch. All three quickly climbed onto it, and the elephant passed by them.
Next, they came to a fast-flowing river. There was no way to cross it. Suddenly, Adi spotted numerous bamboo clumps by the riverbank. An idea sparked in his mind. “Come, let’s build a raft out of bamboo!” With their combined efforts, a small raft was constructed. They carefully crossed the river on it.
After walking for a long time, they reached a strange place. Giant trees surrounded them, their upper branches intertwined to form a canopy like an umbrella. And in the center, a dazzling light. There it was – the ‘Life-Giving Vine’! A vibrant green vine emanated a gentle, golden glow. They carefully collected a portion of the vine.
The sun was setting, and the forest grew darker. Their hearts were filled with a strange peace and satisfaction. The journey back seemed even easier. They knew they had not just collected a rare medicinal vine; they had discovered the true power of their own courage, intelligence, and unity.
Upon returning to the village and administering the vine’s extract to their grandmother, she gradually began to recover. Their grandmother was overjoyed to hear their story. This adventure had begun a new chapter in their lives. They had realized that true wealth is not merely in material possessions but lies hidden within knowledge, courage, and love for one another. ‘The Lost Forest’ had given them not just a medicinal vine, but a new philosophy of life.
Moral of the StoryTrue discovery often lies beyond material gain; it's about unlocking your own potential and the strength of your bonds with others.
