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Anton thought Hide 'n go Seek was supposed to be fun. Instead, the little boy found himself scrambling for a spot every round. The better locations, such as the stables or beneath the mayor's porch, were taken quickly by the older, larger children, who then refused to share and kept others from invading.
The forest had been deemed fair game, although there was a general understanding that no one was stupid enough to venture that deep. The fear of wolves was akin to the bogeyman in these parts, and the village children were not hidden from the fact that livestock were lost to the ravenous predators from time to time. There was no doubt that little children would serve as a tasty meal as well, and most stayed away from the forest.
Not Anton. He wore a calculating look this round. As the Seeker began counting backward from twenty, one little boy ran straightaway into the forest. At least one or two others had seen the direction of his run, but the knowledge did not slow him down. Buoyed by the thrill, Anton ran on, grinning all the way. Counting out loud to himself to gauge the Seeker's progress, he hoped to get as far as he could, and then use the extra time to select a tree to climb.
Before he had reached 'zero', Anton was already scouting for suitable trees. Quickly, he scampered up as high as he dared go and found a branch that could support his weight. Only then did he pause to rest. The boy clung carefully to his branch and tried to catch his breath. There was too much foliage to see very far, so he cocked his ear in the direction of the village.
Safe in his perch, Anton continued counting to himself. He counted forwards this time. By now, the found Hiders had reported that they had seen him run into the forest. Seconds, then minutes passed. When counting the three-hundreds, Anton lost track several times. Soon, he had no idea what number he had left off at and began counting all over again from the beginning.
Anton was unaware that he had fallen asleep until he was actually falling from the tree. He made a wild grasp to hold on, but gravity had the best of him, and he toppled out of the tree, landing painfully on his back. Grunting, the boy rubbed his head where a lump was already beginning to form. Some hours had passed, and nightfall was fast approaching. Anton sat up with alarm. He had not been expecting to be away for so long.
"Human. Go away."
The voice whispered, like it was carried on the wind. Anton swiveled his head back and forth, but he could see no one in the vicinity. He brushed off the dirt and leaves from his hair and clothing, all the while feeling like someone or something was watching him. Tentatively, Anton asked "Is someone there?"
"I am."
Anton still could not see anyone nearby. He stood up on shaky legs and looked around. He frowned and touched the lump on his head. He hoped that the strange voice was not a result of the head injury, but the alternative made no sense. Anton was alone in the forest.
"Human. Go away."
Anton decided that whoever was speaking was not particularly clever. Anton tried another question. "You keep calling me 'human'. Why?"
"Humans cut down my trees."
The look on Anton's face changed into one of understanding. He spoke with slow words. "You... are the forest."
"I am."
"Why have you not spoken before?" Anton asked.
"I speak. Humans cut down my trees."
The boy mulled over that comment for a moment. He argued, "You have plenty of trees. My village needs the lumber to build homes and fences and furniture. We send the lumber to town to trade for other things." Anton's father worked as a carpenter, and his uncle as a woodcutter.
"What is a forest."
The intonation held no pitch, but the boy understood it as a question, albeit a very strange one. The forest had answered earlier that it was the forest, but it was now asking about itself. Anton thought for a moment before replying. "A forest is a dense growth of trees," Anton recited from school lessons.
"How many trees."
Anton shrugged. He saw trees all around him. "Many trees," he answered.
The forest was silent. When no reply was forthcoming, Anton began walking in the direction of the village. It would be dark soon. Some time passed before the forest spoke again.
"What is a lake."
Again, the intonation held no pitch. Anton did not know why the forest was asking such questions. "A lake is a body of water. It is larger than a pond, and smaller than the sea," Anton recited.
"What if humans take water from the lake."
This time, Anton took a moment to respond. "We take water from the lake all the time." He cringed inwardly now that he could imagine the lake complaining about humans taking water.
"Can the lake dry up."
Anton took some time before answering. He knew that the river from the mountain filled the lake, but the river could be dammed. Anton reasoned that the lake would have no water. "Yes," Anton said hesitantly.
"Is the lake still a lake."
"Yes," Anton said with even less certainty. "A dried-up lake." Anton frowned at that idea. Lost in his thoughts, he continued walking home. He had traveled almost to the edge of the forest before he replied. "I think I see what you mean." He took a breath. "You have many trees. If we keep cutting them down, someday, you won't have many trees." Anton slowed his steps. "Someday, you won't be a forest," Anton concluded ruefully. There was no answer from the forest. "Why do you not speak?" Anton asked, growing annoyed. He had been proud of his answer, but the forest remained silent. "You were dying to talk earlier!" At his own words, Anton fell silent too.
"Anton! You're alive!"
"We thought the wolves got you!"
"Who are you talking to?"
The cheers of the other children shocked Anton out of his reverie. He stood at the edge of the forest, noting that none of the children would step inside. As he entered the village, Anton suddenly felt lonely. He felt as though an old friend had left him, yet his friends surrounded him now with curiosity and excitement. The eldest girl looked him over and noticed the tenderness on his back and head. Having nearly forgotten about his fall, Anton winced at her touch. She insisted that they bring him to the healer, and he did not bother to argue. As he walked along with the other children, Anton thought about his conversation with the forest. This human had things to do.
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