Mac Alexander
Mr. Anderson
English II
9-30-10
On The Road Less Traveled By
Dark, oppressive, dangerous, and altogether spooky. This is how a forest may be described by anyone stuck in one when night has fallen, especially someone who is barely four sub sandwiches tall. Those who enjoy exploration in heavily wooded areas may wish to take heed in the advice of someone who has had quite the arboreal experience. Meandering the wide, secluded places within the winding maze of trees can be a relaxing and meditative way to spend one's afternoon, as well as a good way to strengthen bones, increase your immune system, and can decrease the possibilities of a heart disorder, among other benefits. However, if you are going to hike, make sure you know the area or are with someone who does, because the dangers of becoming lost are more dire than the positive aspects.
One late summer evening, I got it into my little seven-year-old head to take a leisurely constitutional through the forest springing up near my home. While one may take my age as the reason of my downfall, please keep in mind that I had been delving into the secret places of this chase since my legs barely functioned. I sallied forth from my location of domain and breezed into the wide mouth of the enormous copse of pine, fir and maple. The path spread wide and far before me only to disappeared into the darkness collecting ahead.
Excitement riveted my childish mind. I ran until I could no longer discern the gateway from the surrounding foliage. I turned and faced my faux foe; each individual tree stared unblinkingly back. Something caught my eye, and I went to investigate. From there, I found another fascinating object, and curtailed my current examination activities. Then to an interesting plant, a salamander, and a fallen tree trunk I trotted at a erratic pace like a scientist searching frantically for my next incredible finding. Eventually I took a moment and looked up from an interesting fungus.
I had absolutely no idea where I was.
Don't panic, I thought to myself. You've been here a million times. You're just at an unusual angle, that's all. So I went to edge of the small clearing I was within. There I found a neat little path heading back the way I knew home was. There, see? I chastised myself. To even think me, the mighty explorer of the unknown, lost. Preposterous. I thought this because it was the most mature word I knew, and part of me was obscenely terrified. Nevertheless, I walked confidently through the opening in the undergrowth.
OK, now I know I've never been here before. This was a completely new part of the wood for me. I'll just go back the way I came. But I couldn't find the path. It was gone. The forest was changing on me like a wiggling bucket of Jell-O! I spun around until I collapsed in a heap by a large tree stump. I was utterly lost.
And the worst part of it was that night was falling. Fast. The trees closed in and the light became blocked out. They were bearing down on me, ready to devour me should I let my guard down, if even for a moment. Evil winds came up and slapped my face viciously, like unrelenting, ice-cold blades that could cut through even the toughest of courage. They howled and screeched, bringing with it the echoes of thousands of obsidian-black banshees. Each and every creature that crept, crawled, or slithered through the forest at night came out in search of me, every one out to rejoice in my untimely demise.
The howling became louder. More tactile. Closer.
The local coyotes were out hunting. Drifting over the cold wind, their fearsome wailing penetrating my psyche to the core. Just as a trumpet fanfare, they announced their approach and their anticipation of the coming feast.
A leaf rustled, a stick snapped, and I new this was the end of it all. How ironic it was to have been trapped by the very forest I had come to oppose and challenge. Finally, the bushes parted and my pursuer entered the ring.
My older brother.
The eyes in my head denied all reason. I was supposed to be dead, and here I was, staring into the face of my salvation. Nothing registered, and my entire being refused to accept my fate. At last I rose and flew to his side. He told me that I had been gone for a while and that he had come to get me home. Thank God he had come to find me when he did.
I nearly missed dinner.
Now, does this mean that I never went into the forest alone again? Of course not. It does mean, however, that when I did, I stayed to the paths that I knew. In the forest, it is extremely easy to be drawn into the secrets it can hide from you, enticing you into places you don't know. Also, no matter how well you may think you know any such location, you can lose yourself unless you are aware of each and every way to be looking at each and every area, since places look so different from different angles. Finally, a forest at night, unless you are properly equipped, is a terrifying place to be, and can inspire even the bravest of explorers to a panic. And when panicking, it is nearly impossible to think your way out of a problem. When all is said and done, my only advice for those who enjoy delving into the mysteries of the forest is either stick to places you know well, go with someone who does, or at least take careful consideration of the way you got into a little cove, so you know how to get out. It's always good to be able to find your way home.
However, if you are going to hike, make sure you know the area or are with someone who does, because the dangers of becoming lost are more dire than the positive aspects.
...because the danger of becoming lost is not outweighed by the positive experiences.
Italics would be good here:
Don't panic, I thought to myself. You've been here a million times. You're just at an unusual angle, that's all. So I went to edge of the...
The forest was changing on me like a wiggling bucket of Jell-O!--- great writing here... I don't think Jello needs that hyphen, though.
You did a great job with this. Is it possible to use the conclusion to turn "getting lost in the forest" into a metaphor with implications for other aspects of life? For example, it there a universal principle at work that makes us go astray if we do not adhere to that yellow brick road?
For ideas, google this: wizard of oz theme analysis symbolism
:-)
