The Old Forester – A Tale of Nature’s Wisdom and Helping Hands

Summary: Deep in the forest lived an old forester known by all the villagers. He understood the language of trees, birds, and animals, always coming to the aid of those who were lost or in need. This story tells of his wisdom and how nature can become man’s ally.

In a dense forest, rarely visited by man, lived an old forester. His hut stood on a small clearing surrounded by towering trees that seemed to whisper among themselves. The forester was not just a resident of the forest—he was its friend and guardian. He knew how to heal wounds with leaves, read tracks on the ground, and interpret the warnings of birds. He was respected as the wisest man in the area.

One day, strangers entered the forest—a group of travelers. They were confident they could cross the forest without help, but by evening, they had lost their way. The sun was setting, shadows grew longer, and the travelers began to panic. The forest seemed vast and menacing, and even the birds’ calls sounded like warnings. “We’re lost!” one of them exclaimed. “What do we do now?”

Suddenly, the old forester appeared from between the trees, holding a lantern. “Who are you, and why are you in my forest?” he asked. His voice was calm but commanding. The travelers explained their plight, and the forester smiled. “The forest is not just trees. It’s a living world, and if you don’t know how to speak to it, it can easily mislead you.”

He invited them to his hut and offered them tea brewed from forest herbs. “To navigate the forest,” he began, “you must understand its signs. For instance, look at the moss on the trees—it always grows on the north side. Or observe the flight of birds—they always head toward water before sunset.”

The next morning, the forester guided the travelers through the forest. Along the way, he showed them paths they hadn’t noticed before, explained how animals hide from predators, and taught them to read tracks on the ground. “The forest is a book you must learn to read,” he said.

When they reached the edge of the forest, the travelers thanked him. “You didn’t just save us; you taught us to see the forest in a new way,” they said. The forester smiled. “Now you know the forest is not an enemy but a friend. You just need to treat it with respect.”

From then on, stories were told of the old forester who lived deep in the woods, always ready to help those who respected nature. The forest became not just a place of mystery but also a teacher with important lessons to offer.

Moral of the story: Nature is our ally if we learn to listen to and respect it. Wisdom and knowledge of the world around us not only help us survive but also find harmony with it.

Discussion Questions:

• Why did the travelers get lost in the forest?
• What advice did the forester give to help them find their way?
• What does this story teach us about the relationship between humans and nature?