The Old Treant

Crazy story but true… No really… I was walking through the woods in Missouri, just outside Weston. As I hiked deeper into the thick of it, I found myself at the edge of a ravine. I sat down to take a break, gather my thoughts and decide if I was going to venture down into the ravine or not. It was a sunny day but the woods were dense enough that among the trees it was almost dark. Sipping on some water I thought I heard my name being whispered. Creepy… What ever, I shrugged it off. Then again I heard it, “Jerrrremmmy…..” Now i’m not gonna lie to you, I was getting a little freaked out to say the least! I then spoke out loud to muster up some courage and drown out a growing concern (ok fear) “Well since I know I’m not crazy, I know I am alone!”

Just at that moment I heard in a deep, yet soft voice, “Maybe crazy it is what you are, for alone you are not… Hmmph!” Now at this point I would have run away, even screamed like a little school girl but that whole fight or flight thing just wasn’t working. It was then that the tree right in front of me began to slowly turn around and peered at me with one eye. I thought to myself, I’m gonna get eaten by a tree…! The tree spoke again, “I have been watching you since you enter my wood. It’s what I do. I protect these wood and the spirit folk that live with in it. You, man of the name Jeremy are of good nature as are we. So don’t be afraid, no, just sit and relax. I only wish to befriend you. It has been a long time since my last human friend has come around, I fear he has passed onward…”

No, just so you know, I did not eat any wild mushrooms on my hike. Anyways he continued to talk about his old friend and the stories that they would share. He told me a tale of how he lost his eye protecting the woods, his wood, from some sort of giant a long time ago. I don’t remember all the details as I kinda just sat there in disbelief, as you can imagine. He allowed me to take his picture… Surprised? He was actually amused by the camera as he saw his image on the digital display. I do remember him telling me that all living woods have at least one Treant like himself that serve as protector…

As I left the woods, and I was very happy to do so, out of some fear that I wouldn’t be allowed… He welcomed the thought of my returning again to share more stories. One day I will, hopefully sooner than later and this time I’ll be bringing not just a camera but also a video recorder too.

You may not see him but he always sees and watches you if you are in his wood. Stand quietly and listen carefully you just may hear the whisper of his voice above the rustling of the leaves. If you are lucky the old treant may entertain you with a tale or two…
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