In the Woods #BlogchatterHalfMarathon Day 10

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She joyfully jumped forward, relishing the cool breeze that brushed against her face. This side of the woods always had a pleasant and calming atmosphere. Although she wished her friends could be with her, it was still early in the morning, and most of them were likely still asleep. With excitement, she headed toward the banyan trees, where she loved to swing from the aerial roots—such a fun activity!

 As she navigated between the trees, she suddenly heard a peculiar sound nearby. What could it be? Her mother had advised her not to venture too far into the woods, particularly past the end of the lake. Yet, here she was, once again exploring beyond the boundaries she’d been given. Perhaps she would stumble upon a wonderland, much like Alice!

Bringing her focus back to the present, she scanned her surroundings and was surprised to see a monkey observing her from the aerial roots of another tree in the distance. A wave of concern washed over her—what if it got angry and bit her? Monkeys could be unpredictable! Deciding to be cautious, she quickly climbed down and began to walk away, but the monkey unexpectedly followed her.

 “Why did I venture this far?” she mused, a hint of regret creeping in. As she walked backwards to reassess her situation, she noticed that the monkey was mimicking her movements.

 “Why are you copying me?” she called out playfully. The monkey paused and made curious sounds, seemingly attempting to repeat what she had just said. “So, you're a bit of a copycat! That’s fine by me!” she thought, amused.

 She decided to turn the encounter into a game. Walking faster, she encouraged the monkey to keep up with her, and it did. When she slowed down and began tiptoeing, the monkey mirrored her actions perfectly. She delighted in their playful antics—running, slowing down, and jumping—all while the monkey mirrored her every move.

 As she approached the gate marking the forest's boundary, the monkey hesitated and stopped behind it. She stepped beyond the gate and turned back to see the monkey watching her intently. With a smile, she waved her hand goodbye, and the monkey responded by waving back, echoing her gesture.

 Feeling a sense of joy, she resolved to return the next day to continue her adventures in the woods, eager for more playful moments.


This story was selected as one of the winning submissions in Thought Lantern's Short Story Writing Challenges

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2025

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