The Wish Woods

Hi, I'm Ethan; I just turned twelve two days ago.

I live in the small town of Speck; this is my dog, Peck, he just had a birthday. He is a year old now. That's fifteen in dog years. When he is two, you add nine years. At three, that's four more. So at that time, he will be twenty-eight, man, that's old.

My most trusted friend is Nancy. She lives three houses down and across the street. She has a pet also, it's a cat, she named it kitty. Once a week, Nancy, Peck, and I go to this fantastic magical place and sit. Amazed at what we see. Do you want to go? Come on and go with us.

It's a forest just east of our town. Some say it's evil others say it's good. They call this place, The Wish Woods. Where it came from, no one knows. It just appeared one day hundreds of years ago. The trees never die; new ones never grow. Every tree is precisely the same—two feet wide, two hundred feet tall with smooth rainbow-colored bark. And leaves that sparkle as if giving off sparks. It looks hand-painted by a master of the arts.

There has grown, at the top of each tree, what looks to be a bell. With a half-round crown at its top, a slightly upward curved flange at the bottom. There is only one difference among the trees. It's their voice; each bell has its own unique sound.

When the wind breathes, the pendulum within the bells starts to swing. As it stikes the inside, the bells begin singing. A sweet, agreeable melody; you can't help but smile.

The only opportunity you have if you want to enter the forest; is once a month on the third Saturday at exactly noon. Enter by choosing one of the many pathways to follow, but only one person per path. When the wind is moving, the bells are singing, and the trees are dancing. Changing the directions of each of the trails. There are only three paths that will lead to the middle of the forest.

In the middle of the Wish Woods is a clearing. In the middle of the clearing grows the Wishing Tree—a unique tree in itself. It is forty feet tall and eighty feet wide at its furthest points. It produces six fruits and only six every month. They only grow in pairs, two of them right next to each other, like cherries. They are precisely the same in appearance, but each one has a different taste. One, if bitten, has a highly sour flavor and will turn you to stone. There are many statues around the Wishing Tree. So you can see there have been many people who bit this fruit. The other fruit, if bitten, is delightfully sweet and will grant you your Wish (caution, there is always a price to pay even for granted Wishes.)

You must meet with the Keeper of the Wishing Tree. Reveal to the Keeper your Wish. You can not change your sense of longing at any time afterward. The Keeper will pick from the tree your fruit. After you decide which pair you choose. He then lets you choose between the two fruits. The one you do not choose to sample must be given back to Keeper.

I was told, The Keeper has a secret. He is not allowed to utter. That years ago, he entered the Wish Woods. Chose and followed one of the trails, he made it to the clearing in the middle of the woods. There it stood, forty feet high and eighty feet wide, the Wishing Tree. As he approached it, it looked as if it was growing each time he took a step. As he stood under the Wishing Tree, amazed at what he could see. He chose between the three sets of two fruits. They resembled cherries, not in color or size. But the way they grew side by side. Then he chose one of the two. Placed it between his teeth, took a bite. The sweet juices exploding in his mouth. Running down his chin. It was the most luscious thing he had ever tasted. His smile spread across his face from ear to ear. Knowing his Wish had just been granted.

His desire was to never age; at fifty-seven, he has stayed. The price he paid, he can never leave, or he will meet his age. At which time, the wind will begin. The pendulums within the bells will start swinging. As they strike the inside, the bells start singing.

He then begins disintegrating; he becomes vermilion. The breeze will spread what's left of him across the sand.

It's a beautiful morning in Speck, not a cloud anywhere covering the baby blue sky. There's a invigorating breeze, fresh and clean. And a clear, gorgeous view.

You can see the tippy tops of the Wish Woods from here.

You can hear the sounds of a new morning waking. Dogs barking, birds are having a conversation, a couple of roosters waking up the rest of the neighborhood. Nancy should be here soon. We were supposed to meet up this morning. Have some breakfast, then head out.

My mom owns the restaurant here in town. It's on Main Street; It's called Mom's Place. Every morning at five am. The diner is baking up some fresh biscuits for the breakfast crowd. The aroma from those biscuits can be smelled from anywhere in town. You can even see it floating in the air. One time it set, some smoke alarms off.

Now I am telling the truth. I cross my heart and will stick a thousand needles in my eyes until I die. If I am lying.

There was this one time. I saw two fluffy biscuits pressing up against a pad of butter between them in the early morning. As they floated together through the park. I may be stretching the truth a little.

All this talking about food sure has made me hungry. Makes me want to eat some of those biscuits right now. With two fried eggs, hashbrowns, a slice of ham, and of course, a cold glass of milk. Sure hope Nancy gets here soon. But first things first. I have a few chores to do before I can eat. Come here, Peck, hear boy ( I whistle for him to come); come on boy, it's time for your breakfast. Nancy had just shown up. Looked at me and said, so I am your dog now. We laughed. After feeding Peck, I finished my other chores. Nancy, Peck, and I headed for my mom's restaurant.

As we walked down Main Street. We stopped and look in the windows of Tiny Tim's Toy/Novelty Store. Then Booker's Books next door. A few more doors down is Dee Dee's Daintie Delectable Goodies. You know we stopped there to look. Then Peck, Nancy, and I raced to biscuit heaven a block away, Peck won. He knows where Mom's place is.

Peck was the first one in the door. Then we heard, No Dogs Allowed. Peck stopped, looked at mom, hung his head, turned around, and started out the door. Mom spoke again, Stop. Peck turned his head to look at her.

Come here, boy. Peck had the most enormous dog smile.

Peck seemed so happy as he went over to her. His tail looked like a windshield wiper. It was moving so fast.

She pointed to a area behind the counter. Peck went over and laid down. Mom brought him a biscuit, a piece of bacon, and a bowl of water.

Then it was our turn to feast. Oh boy, breakfast.

Nancy and I like to sit at the counter. On the tall stood fastened to the floor. The bottoms are chrome with seats a sparkling red, and they turned all the way around. We would sit and spin on them. Then we hear the words, You Kids, Stop That. What are you up to eating? Nancy called off her order first. Then I did mine. Then we chowed down. When finished, we wipe the counter, took our dishes to the back sink. Said goodbye to mom, and let's go, Peck. Headed for the back door, yelled, thanks for the great breakfast, mom. Nancy repeated, Yea, thanks for breakfast, mom. See you later, Goodbye. The last thing I heard was mom say, "Don't Go To The Wish Woods."

Nancy asked, can we go to the park. Sure Peck can run free. The park is not far from mom's place. At the park, Peck was running, chasing birds. We sat on a bench and talked. Nancy asked, what happened to your dad. You have never talked about him. I explain that I never knew my dad. One month before I was born, Dad was sent off to war. He never came home. Nancy spoke, that's so sad.

Mom told me his dad/my grandfather had a hard time excepting his son was never coming home. After a while, she said they lost contact and never heard from him.

Tomorrow is the third Saturday of the month.

It is the day you may enter the Wish Woods. It won't be long now; cars will be lining Main Street for blocks. We have had a motel here for years, but there were not enough rooms to accommodate all the people showing up. So they built a new hotel last year to accommodate all the visitors.

Saturday Morning

Up and out of bed, excitement has already filled my head. I nod and say good morning, Sun. Peck enters in; I tell him, I love you, dog while rubbing his head. I need to get moving quickly, wash my hands/ face, brush my teeth, comb my hair. I what to be at the Wish Woods before all those people arrive. Nancy and I like to be the first ones there (Well, the first three, can't forget Peck.) That way, We can get the best spot to watch the goings-on.

I stopped by Nancy's, and the three of us are on our way. Arriving at the Woods, finding the spot we want. Spead out our blanket, a pillow to sit on, open the cooler. Pull out something to eat and drink.

The forest is round. I can only see what is in front of me. That's enough to see. People are now arriving; some sit to watch, others are choosing a path to enter the forest. There are not as many people here today as I thought there would be. It's now two minutes until noon, one more minute to go.

Oh, Whoa! There is a path that no one has chosen. Without thinking, I tell Peck to stay, ask Nancy to wait for me. Then run to the vacant spot. Stand in wait in front of the trail. Now I am thinking, what the heck am I doing. But knowing I do want to go inside and see for myself what I have only heard about. "Oh-no," I forgot about my mom. I can hear her now, I told you - Don't Go In The Wish Woods.

The breeze begins to move; It's Noon. I hear the chimes of the bells singing, see the trees start dancing, and I have the biggest smile on my face that I have ever had in my life. I begin to follow my path through the forest. The trees are still moving, blocking and opening new pathways to follow. The rays of the Sun are piercing through the trees, striking the already sparkling leaves, reflecting sunbeams onto the trees' impressive multicolored bark. This place is incredible and unique. I have never seen a more magnificent place. Looks as if it was painted by a master of the arts.

It seems like I have been wandering in circles and for a long time. I'm nervous and excited, wondering if I will make it to the Wishing Tree. The wind begins blowing swiftly, creating a large opening within the trees. I can see a clearing not far ahead of me. Without letting my feet know, it is time to move quickly. I realize I am almost running towards the open space at the end of the pathway.

Yes, Yes, I made it to the Wishing Tree. Now I am more nervous and excited than I was a few minutes ago when the trees parted. I ran so fast I must not have seen those butterflies I swallowed. I can feel them moving around in my stomach as they try to find a way out.

Two others had already made it here before me. The Keeper has motioned to one of the two. To come and stand under the Wishing Tree. As he looks over the three pairs of fruit, he decides on one by pointing towards them. The Keeper removes them from the tree and gives them to the man, telling him not to choose and eat.

The Keeper speaks clandestinely with each of us regarding our Wishes. After speaking with the first individual that chose, he moves to the side. As the chap gradually raises the fruit to his mouth, he hesitates, then tastes. He leaps skyward with enthusiasm. His object of desire had been granted. I was so thrilled I also sprang into the air. The Keeper speaks with the man as he reveals to him the way out.

The second gentleman is now standing with the Keeper.

The man checks out the remaining two pairs of two fruits. Pointing to the pair of his desire. The Keeper removes them. The man picks one. Taking it as he and

the Keeper speaks. The man begins to weep. He looks uncertain about whether to eat. I'm not sure if he is allowed to pass now. They have been standing together

for a while. The Keeper turns and begins to walk away. As this man now raises the fruit. Placing it slightly between his teeth. Quickly he's falling to the ground. My heart stops beating. As it begins pounding. My legs are twitching, feeling weak, my breathing is racing. I look towards the sky. It seems to be spinning. I glance back towards the man. He struggles to get to his feet as he is clandestinely staring at me. Tears were flowing from his eyes, falling towards the ground. As a beatific smile graces his face. With stretched-out arms, I run towards him, and we embrace. Overwhelmed with the extreme, exhilarating joy, he had fallen to the ground. With the knowledge, his Wish had been granted.

As the Keeper was removing the last pair of two fruits.

He looked my way and motions for me to walk over. It was just a short distance, but it seemed like it took a long time to get there. When I met with him this time. He asked if I was ready to pay the price, for it was my turn at the Wishing Tree. My mouth and throat were dry; I was nervous and sweating. As I tried to answer him, my voice cracked as I said yes. He responded okay, smiled, and nodded his head. Then walked to the side.

As I stood there, fruit in hand, I heard myself speaking softly to me. Please, please, I don't want to be a boy made of stone. I closed my eyes, repeated it again. Upon opening them, I looked upward, gazing between the branches and leaves of this giant tree standing over me. It seemed to be looking down over me. Not looking to see which fruit I brought towards my mouth. I just placed it against my tongue and bit down. I felt my teeth breaking through the skin, then through the meat of the fruit. I don't remember tasting it.

At that point, everything stopped. Except for that part of me that lives inside controlling me. I had been amygdala hijacked. My brain was arguing with itself, repetitively saying, fight or flight, fight or flight. Then, I heard another voice that seemed to be echoing. Sounding as if it was reverberating.

I can't explain what happened then; something touched my right shoulder. A buzzing/tingling sensation was traveling within me, saturating the inside of me. I was unable to comprehend time. Suddenly the feelings vanished; Reality returned to me. The Keeper was speaking, saying, you're okay, I am a Hyper-Empath. He explained when his Wish was granted. The Wishing Tree also gave him the power to help people by setting them free, as he just helped me.

From that moment on, things changed for the good. My Wish was for the Wishing Tree to become unproductive. It will never produce any more fruit. And Yes, I still had to pay the price for my Wish threefold. I may never leave this small town of Speck. I am now the Keeper of the Wish Woods, but not the Keeper, of the Wishing Tree. And like the Keeper of the Wishing Tree, I too will never age.

This is the best part of all. I found out that the Keeper of the Wishing Tree is my grandfather. He had entered the forest sometime back in hopes of making a wish. As luck would have it, he did. He had always felt his son, my dad. Would return from the war someday. He wanted to be here when he did. So my grandfather wished that he would never age. So he could see his son eventually.