The Secret Door in the Forest

The Secret Door in the Forest

In a quiet village surrounded by a deep, green forest, there lived a curious boy named Elias. Elias was the kind of child who always asked, “What’s behind that tree?” or “Where does this path go?” While other children played games in the fields, Elias spent his time exploring.

One evening, just as the sun dipped below the hills and painted the sky with streaks of orange and purple, Elias decided to take a walk in the woods. The air smelled of pine and earth, and the last rays of sunlight danced between the leaves.

As he wandered deeper than he ever had before, Elias noticed something strange: a small, round door at the base of an ancient oak tree. It was no taller than his knee, painted a faded blue, with a tiny brass handle shaped like a crescent moon.

Elias knelt down, his heart thumping with excitement.

“Who would build a door in a tree?” he wondered aloud.

He looked around. The forest was silent, as if holding its breath.

Without thinking twice, Elias turned the handle.

The door swung open with a soft creak, revealing a narrow, spiraling staircase that led down into the earth. Glimmering lights floated up from below like tiny fireflies. Curiosity won over caution, and Elias carefully stepped inside.

The staircase led him to a glowing underground chamber filled with things Elias had never seen before: flowers that hummed, stones that floated in mid-air, and a pool of water so clear it looked like glass. Above the pool was a sign carved from silver wood:

“The Pool of Forgotten Wishes”

Elias approached the water. As he gazed into it, images appeared — children making wishes on shooting stars, old women tossing coins into wells, and little boys like him, closing their eyes and hoping for something wonderful.

Suddenly, a soft voice spoke.

“Few find this place, Elias.”

He spun around to see a creature no taller than a rabbit, with mossy-green hair, bright golden eyes, and wings like a dragonfly’s.

“I’m Myra,” the creature said, smiling. “Guardian of wishes lost and forgotten.”

Elias blinked. “Are you a fairy?”

Myra grinned. “Something like that.”

She explained that the Pool collected all the forgotten wishes from the world — the ones people made and then left behind. Every now and then, a brave soul would stumble upon the secret door and be given a chance to grant one of those wishes.

“Would you like to try?” Myra asked, her wings shimmering.

Elias nodded eagerly.

She led him to the edge of the pool. A small wisp of light floated up, carrying a wish:

“I wish I could see the stars one last time.”

Elias frowned. “Who made that wish?”

Myra pointed to a tiny bird perched on a branch above the pool. It looked old and tired.

“She used to soar above the forests, but her wings are too weak now,” Myra explained.

Without hesitating, Elias cupped his hands around the light and gently placed it over the bird. In an instant, her feathers shimmered silver, and her wings stretched wide.

The bird chirped joyfully and flew upward through a glowing tunnel Elias hadn’t noticed before, leading straight into the night sky.

Elias smiled as the stars twinkled brightly above.

“You have a kind heart, Elias,” Myra said. “And now, it’s time for you to go.”

The next thing Elias knew, he was standing by the ancient oak tree, the small blue door gone.

But from then on, whenever he looked at the stars, one of them always seemed to twinkle just for him.

And somewhere in the forest, forgotten wishes still waited to be found.

Good night. 🌌✨