short story
Hatteras Island
There are beaches in America—and then there is Hatteras Island. This slender, windswept barrier island, part of North Carolina’s famed Outer Banks, is more than just a vacation spot. It’s a place where history, culture, and natural wonders collide. It’s where shipwrecks whisper stories through the tides, where wild ponies roam dunes carved by centuries of storms, and where small fishing communities cling to their traditions despite the relentless forces of wind and sea.
By Muhammad Sabeel5 months ago in Earth
The Forest Throne
The Forest Throne How One Chair Became a Peaceful Symbol of Rest and Reflection in Nature Deep within the heart of Pineberry Forest, where the trees whisper secrets and the air carries the scent of moss and pine, there stands a single wooden chair. Weathered but sturdy, simple yet striking, the chair has no owner, no plaque, and no obvious reason for being where it is. Yet, over the years, it has quietly become a beloved part of the forest — known by locals and hikers alike as “The Forest Throne.” No one knows exactly who brought the chair there. Some say it appeared after a storm one spring, others believe an old carpenter placed it there as a quiet gift to the woods. The most popular theory is that it was carried in by an elderly woman who used to walk the trails every day with her dog. She was often seen resting on a folding stool, which she once called her “thinking seat.” When she stopped coming, some believe someone honored her memory by placing a sturdier chair in her favorite clearing. Regardless of its origin, the chair now sits peacefully on a small rise overlooking a stream. It faces west, catching the soft golden light of the setting sun through the trees. Birds often perch on its backrest, and squirrels occasionally climb its legs as if inspecting a monument. Wildflowers grow around its feet in the warmer months, and in winter, it wears a soft white coat of snow. More than just a curious object in the woods, the Forest Throne has become a gentle landmark and a destination. Hikers take breaks there, sipping water and listening to the sounds of the forest. Children sit on it like royalty, pretending to hold court with the trees. Artists sketch it, and photographers wait patiently for just the right lighting to capture its quiet charm. Some couples have even gotten engaged next to it, believing it adds a touch of natural magic to the moment. For many, the chair serves a deeper purpose. It invites people to pause — not just physically, but mentally. In a world that moves fast, where even nature walks can become goals to “complete,” the Forest Throne offers permission to stop, sit, and simply be. Local schoolteacher Maya Ellis first discovered the chair during a solo hike in early spring. “I was having a hard time,” she later shared in a community newsletter. “I’d been overwhelmed, anxious, and I wasn’t even sure why I was out there that day. But then I found the chair. I sat down, and everything just… softened. The stillness of the forest, the way the light moved through the trees — it made me breathe differently. I stayed for nearly an hour.” Since then, Maya has returned many times, sometimes with her students. They call it their “story seat,” taking turns to sit in it and tell made-up tales about forest animals and enchanted trees. She’s also helped organize a gentle path-clearing project around the area, ensuring that the chair remains accessible while keeping the surroundings wild and undisturbed. Interestingly, the chair has changed very little over the years. Though it’s been exposed to all kinds of weather, it has held up remarkably well. Some say it’s because it's made of old, seasoned oak. Others suggest it’s the forest itself that protects it — as if the chair, having become part of the ecosystem, now receives its care in return. The Forest Throne has even inspired a local movement called “Sit a While,” encouraging people to create simple resting spots in natural spaces. Wooden benches, upcycled chairs, and stone seats have begun to appear in quiet corners of parks and trails throughout the region, each one marked only by a small carved leaf symbol and the words, “Sit a While.” Despite its fame, the chair has never been vandalized. There is no graffiti, no carvings, and not even trash left nearby. People seem to instinctively respect its presence. Perhaps that’s because the Forest Throne doesn’t ask for anything — it offers. It gives rest to the weary, silence to the busy-minded, and beauty to anyone willing to see it. And so it remains, season after season — a simple chair in a quiet forest, waiting patiently for the next person who needs it. Some come with questions. Others bring sorrow. Many bring nothing at all but themselves. But all who sit in the Forest Throne leave with something: a little more peace, a little more stillness, and a renewed connection with the world around them.
By Muhammad Saad 5 months ago in Earth
The Amazon Rainforest: Nature’s best marvel
The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most splendid places on our planet. Regularly known as the “lungs of the Earth” as it produces round 20% of the world’s oxygen, this significant jungle is domestic to top notch biodiversity, particular cultures, and breathtaking natural beauty. But beyond its wonders, the Amazon faces extreme threats that endanger not most effective its survival but additionally the stability of life across the globe. Let’s dive into the fascinating story of this herbal treasure.
By Samiullah Adil5 months ago in Earth
Hurricane Irene and the Viral “Stadium Effect” (USA)
A Storm That Refused to Be Normal. Hurricanes are nothing new to coastal communities. Every year, residents of the Atlantic Seaboard brace for storms that bring heavy rain, flooding, and destructive winds. But in 2025, Hurricane Irene became more than just a weather event. It became a viral phenomenon — thanks to a mysterious atmospheric display that storm chasers and residents alike have dubbed the “stadium effect.”
By Echoes of Life5 months ago in Earth
