Scared of the forest?
A Drabble
I met someone who told me he was scared of the forest.
“Why are you scared of the forest?” I asked with curiosity.
“I am scared of the wild animals,” he said. “They can attack you and kill you without a reason. If you tell them “don’t attack me,” they don’t understand. They are not human. They don’t reason."
I paused for a moment.
“Wild animals don’t really attack without a reason. This can be fear, feeling thretened, hunger, or territorial. Unlike humans, wild animals don’t attack and kill without a reason. You must be confusing cities with the forest.”
*****
A/N
Drabble based on a real conversation I had yesterday.
The initial talk about the forest and wild animals diverted to the brutal and nonsensical murder of Iryna Zarytska, a young 23-year-old girl who was victim of a man who savagely stabbed her in the neck three times, letting her to die a painful and lonely dead. No one sitting close to her helped her or tried to get some help.
In a press conference, President Donald Trump (and others) called the killer "an animal." With that, I disagree for the reasons I say in the Drabble.
I am more scared of being attacked in the streets or public transport for no reason any given day without notice than of walking in a forest whilst, perhaps, forest animals silently watch me passing by in what is their home.
---
In Memory: Iryna Zarutska, 23, was killed in the unprovoked attack shortly before 10 p.m. on 22 August, 2025 aboard the Lynx Blue Line in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. She was a Ukrainian refugee who loved animals, wanted to be a Veterinary assistant, and held a degree in Art and Restoration.
About the Creator
Susan Fourtané
Susan Fourtané is a Science and Technology Journalist, a professional writer with over 18 years experience writing for global media and industry publications. She's a member of the ABSW, WFSJ, Society of Authors, and London Press Club.
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Minneapolis ICE Shooting Updates
In recent weeks, Minneapolis has found itself at the center of a growing legal and political controversy following a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. What initially appeared to be a straightforward federal use-of-force investigation has evolved into a broader dispute between state authorities and federal officials, raising serious questions about transparency, jurisdiction, and accountability. The most significant development so far is the state’s claim that it has been denied access to key evidence related to the incident. As public attention intensifies, the case is no longer just about what happened during the shooting. It is increasingly about who controls the facts, who gets to investigate them, and how justice is supposed to function when federal and state systems collide. What We Know About the Minneapolis ICE Shooting The shooting occurred during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. 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Comments (7)
Dreadful story about the attack. Loved the way you contrasted animal behaviour and the behaviour of a violent individual. We often fear what we do not understand. People fear animal attack but are far more likely to be killed by a speeding driver, a poor diet or smoking, drinking and drug use. Violent individuals are certainly more of a danger than hungry or scared animals. Thoughtful piece
Well-wrought! I've found on my nature walks that the animals in the forest will sometimes even seem to be politely curious. I recall with delight an instance where two woodpeckers spied on me from behind opposite trees. To add a little more context to Iryna's sad situation, the man who attacked her was schizophrenic, in the grip of a psychotic episode, and thought she was trying to read his thoughts--according to his family. He had a history of violence, and of mental illness. It brings up the question of whether we need to bring back large-scale mental hospitals for people who need constant supervision rather than incarceration or rehabilitation, and if that might have saved Iryna's life. As a citizen of the U.S. who's dealt with multiple kinds of fallout from the inadequacy of the system here, it's a topic that weighs heavily on my mind.
If I tell you that my mouth was wide open in shock. Would you believe me? That's exactly what happened. I thought I knew where this was going but I wasn't prepared for the loud booming roast at the end. A hard pill to swallow, but the truth often is. Oooo this was a real conversation. I've always said, I love when writers include real life into their fiction. RIP Iryna. 😩 What is wrong with us humans. I honestly agree with you, I would feel safer around animals. I am currently scared to go anywhere, when it's dark, without someone with me. I love that you added a bit of her background. She even wanted to be a veterinary assistant, smh. My heart is broken 💔 Thank you for writing this piece as both a tribute and awareness. Fantastically presented 🤗❤️
I love the drabble and the background story is great to help understanding the story
Such an important contrast between the instincts of wild animals and the senseless violence humans can inflict.
Omggg poor Iryna. May her soul rest in peace 🥺❤️
Forests are scary though. Enjoyed your drabble. It'd so sad about Iryna