KWEE: Liberian Literary Magazine AUGUST 1, 2015 ISSUE | Page 32

Liberian Literary Magazine

The Forest with
Eyes and Hands
Berenice Mulubah

O

nce upon a time. There
lived a forest. Yes, there
lived a forest. The trees
had eyes, hands and legs. The
river would sing in the night. The
people in town knew but
pretended not to know. It was the
town best kept secret.
One day, a stranger came to
town. He had lost his way, at
least that’s what he claimed. He
stopped by the first house along
the road. He asked the little girl
playing in the yard for some food
and water. The little girl said,
“I’m not allow to give out food
and water, sir. I will love to give
you some food and water but you
will have to wait for my parents
to come back.”
“But, I’m so very thirsty. Where
are your parents, and when are
they coming back?”
“My parents are in the forest,
they will be back before it’s time
for the forest to party.”
“For the forest to party?”
“Yes.”

July 15, 2015 ISSUE # 0715
.
“What do you mean?”
“Every Thursday night, the
forest dances to the sound of the
river. On Thursday mornings, the
people of the town take the forest
supplies for the party and in
return, the forest heals the sick,
wounded and broken hearts.”
Immediately,
his
thirst
quenched,
his
hunger
disappeared. He became curious.
“And you believe that, little
girl?”
“I do. I do. I do.”
“Why
would
you
believe
something like that? Never mind,
I know why, you are just a child.
Your imagination is wild.”
“If I’m just a child, and my
imagination is just wild, why did
you come here?”
“I was on my way somewhere
else and I got lost. That’s why I’m
here.”
“You didn’t get lost, sir. You
were on your way somewhere else
but you didn’t get lost. Strangers
don’t come to this town. You are
here because you belong here.”
“Excuse me? Little girl, I’m a
city boy. I was born and raised in
the city. Wait a minute, why am
I having this conversation with
you. How old are you?”
“Don’t worry about my age.
Just listen to your heart and
follow my lead.”
“Follow your lead?”
“Yes, we have to go and get
what it is you came for, before it
is too late.”
“I didn’t come for anything. I’m
a lawyer, I was on my way to the
next city, when my car broke
down. I tried to walk to the
nearest gas station when I got
lost.”

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“Hmm. No dear. What you are
is heartbroken, lost and confuse.
You came to mend your heart.
See, your real name is Tamba
Sawo, born in a little town called
Swacoco. You were adopted by
those who you now called your
parents. They were missionaries
to Liberia. They took you across
the ocean, changed your name and
never looked back. But, in your
heart you always knew. You knew
that you came from the town with
the trees have eyes, hands and
legs. You always knew that you
was born to dance to the sound of
the river. All you need is one
dance with the trees and
everything will make sense.
Hurry, let’s go, before the party
starts.”
Even though the man was
hesitant, he decided to follow the
little girl. When they got closer
to the forest. The little girl
pointed to a little path into the
forest. Follow that path, listen to
your heart and dance to the
familiar sound. You will see the
people from the town on their
way back. Don’t speak to them,
don’t say a word, even if they try
to talk to you. Just keep going,
until the right tree hold your hand
for a dance.
“Are you not coming,” he asked
the little girl.
“This is your journey son, you
must travel it alone and be free.”
“Son? First of all….” And then,
he realized that the little girl was
no longer there.
So, he follow the path. He met
the people from the town on their
way back. He didn’t say a word.
Few steps later, he heard a soft
whisper. A wind brushed him

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