The Man And The Wood

Bania was a country that many considered to be prosperous. Its resources were plentiful and its soldiers were brave. Unfortunately, there was a dispute between some of its colonies as they all craved a larger share of its resources. The east wanted more land for housing, as its population was rising. The west wanted more water, for the ever-vigilant soldiers who defended the country they loved.

Leif was a young man who did not worry about such politics. He lived with his parents in the very centre of the country. As Leif did his daily chores he felt as if he was constantly trying to be recruited to an alliance. Even his parents had separate points of view. His father would always say, “You should spar with some of your friends!” On the other hand, his mother requested “Leif, go out and gather firewood so we can warm our home.” As Leif observed the crisp fire crackle, he thought of a way to please his parents, maybe he could retrieve wood that could be used for fire, and to create a weapon.

The forest was the most treasured place in all of Bania; particularly the elder tree. This was the most beloved tree as its height was unmatched by any plant or structure. Leif would sometimes climb onto the roof of his house and look at this tree at night. Sitting on his roof he would stare at the tree’s knowing that behind them was the training grounds for soldiers. Leif would feel comfort that such violence was out of sight. Many would confirm that the elder tree was a gift from the gods, and that it protects its forest as if it were family.

On a particular day of gathering wood, Leif chose to enter the great forest. He instantly gazed at the oldest tree in Bania. The plant’s bark was rounded level to Leif’s torso. Leif looked at the tree’s bark as if it were its face and yelled “Great tree, will you gift me with one of your branches?” Leif felt a gust of wind and the branches that acted as a roof in the forest released leaves. Leif took a step back from the roots that were in his vicinity and knelt. “I promise to replenish whatever you bestow upon me. I will return and plant more tree’s in your kingdom!” Leif asserted as he was now pointing at the tree as if he were bartering with it. Just then he heard an odd rustling above him. He looked upwards and the tree’s canopy rained a single branch that landed only yards away. He thought about his parent’s reactions as he carried the branch home.

Leif obtained his fathers attention immediately. The blacksmith’s eye’s lit up like a torch the moment he saw the branch. One thing came to his mind “weaponry.” Leif questioned his father’s excitement “What interests you about my stick? I plan to keep it in this condition forever.” His father let out a short chuckle and replied “Not even I have ever laid eyes on such perfect material. When I was fourteen like you, I only imagined fighting with weapons such as this. The tightest grip would be left without splinters. The most smothering flame would not engulf this grain in short time. I must craft this, I must.” Leif eventually gave the branch over and retired to bed. To his misfortune his mother entered the room shivering. “You would sacrifice the welfare of your family for yet another perfect weapon? You know that your father will say that to almost anything, especially during these hard times. He believes that we need more weapons for protection. Your daily chores are now doubled until the next full moon for your disobedience.” “But dad insisted-“ Leif started but was instantaneously cut off by his mother, and was sent back to bed. Feeling betrayed by his parents he went to sleep with a grudge.

He awoke earlier than usual the next morning and what did he find by the door, but his branch made into an axe. He lifted the weapon and felt angered that it was the catalyst of his tedious increase of chores. He did not like how the innocent item was now a tool of destruction. The metal on the axe-head cancelled the pleasant smell of the wooden handle. His grip tightened on the axe as he left his house. He flung the front door open and dashed towards the branch’s origination.

In the forest he looked at the canopy that covered the sky in disgust and discontent. He couldn’t believe that he was in awe the day before. Just the thought of the trouble this place caused him only fueled his rage. Bending down he clenched a fistful of dirt and squeezed it until it leaked from his hand. Wiping his hand on shirt, he booted a nearby fungus that landed square against a nearby tree. His eyes locked on the tree with a maniacal glare. Slowly approaching the tree his eyes scanned the plant as if he was looking for a weakness. He pulled the axe to his shoulder and swung at the adult tree. He repeated this process until the tree made a sharp crack and collapsed. Panting and covered in sweated, Leif wiped the moisture from his forehead with his wrist. He then repeated this activity again, and again, and again, and again.

Leif, in a blind fury slowly turned his head towards the elder tree. No longer did he admire this plant. He lifted the axe above his head and chopped directly at the face he imagined. The moment of impact sent a violent vibration through his arms and body that threw him off balance. He felt a tidal wave of regret as he stumbled to his feet. He feebly pulled on the axe but it did not budge. It was firmly planted in the tree’s face, which was now peeling. Trembling, shaking, feeling like a coward and a traitor he could not bare to look at this tree anymore. He turned around and sprinted home. The elder tree sat in its kingdom, filled with regret.

That night Leif climbed onto his roof to look at the elder tree again. Only this time he could see a structure in the distance. He could now witness the training grounds. Leif felt a surge of insecurity as he felt as if he were closer to unsafe politics that he had been trying to avoid. When he heard the startled cry of his father because of the absence of the axe he replied with “It was stolen, fellow blacksmiths are jealous of your fame.” Although his father was upset with his newest creation gone, he was happy to be reminded of his skill. His mother only retorted “I still expect you to gather wood, even when the cold season is over.”

As the year passed by, Leif did not return to the forest. Leif being disconnected from current events was unaware that the forest was no longer a place of beauty and innocence. Lumberjacks surveyed the land and reported that the tree’s were much more droopy, almost as if they were feeling sorrow. The forest was then turned into a place of death. The stronger trees were used as gallows. Criminals who committed unforgivable acts were hung on the trees. After the act, the bodies would have a proper funeral and the rope would be wrapped around the branch as a sign of giving up their sinful life to go to the gods. The forest was now a sign of retribution.

When the year came to an end, Leif gathered the courage to return to the forest. He had been collecting pinecones in his routine of gathering wood in hopes of restoring the nature that he destroyed. He did not feel welcomed this time. Although the sky was filled with the branches, sun still shone in his face. The roots that surrounded him were harder to see and were the perfect shape to get a foot stuck. Leif came face to face with the elder tree and was surprised to see that the axe still remained on its mark. Leif dropped to his knees and began to dig through the Earth with his bare hands. When the hole was big enough he would withdraw a pinecone from his pocket and plant it. He noticed that the forest had not recovered from his rampage. The tree stumps glared at him with overwhelming guilt. Leif continued to plant for hours.

Covered in sweat and dirt he looked up at the elder tree and cried “I have gathered wood for one year without using your resources. The cold season is on its way. Please give me another branch. I will continue to seed!” Leif stood up and with all his might, grabbed the axe and pulled it out of the trees face and fell onto his back in a heap. Just then a violent gust of wind formed and Leif shielded his eyes from the dirt. Meanwhile, one of the ropes used for hanging unraveled itself and its loop fell adjacent to Leif’s face. He slowly opened his eyes and expecting a branch; he found a rope. His eyes widened like saucers and took one step back tripping over a root. His throat finally allowed him to breathe and he let out a blood-curling howl. Leif released the axe and fled from the forest once again.

The pinecones grew into saplings, and from saplings to mature trees. By and by as the forest matured, the residents once again realized the value of their natural environment and they never again used the branches from the trees as weapons for warfare. Society’s quarrels will eventually solve themselves. But nature needs humans assistance to be maintained.