A Boy's Way Home
David Shin
Once upon a time, there was a boy. The boy once belonged to a
home, ever so bright and warm and splendid. But thinking that
he no longer needed anyone’s help, the boy left. He became lost,
and wandered through a vast desert. For days, the boy roamed
and traveled and walked alone, determined to find his way back
home.
But soon enough, hunger came to him. With each passing day,
the emptiness in his stomach grew deeper. Unable to find any
food, the boy was about to give up when a doe appeared before
him, with it a loaf of bread and a sack of water tied to its side.
The boy was startled to see such an animal in the middle of the
desert, with a flawless pelt and gentle and soothing eyes. The
doe approached the boy and asked, “Little boy, are you lost?”
The boy, shaking off his astonishment, answered, “No, I’m okay.
I’ll find my own way.” The doe offered to guide the boy to the
nearest human settlement, but the boy declined and went on his
way, wandering yet again, lost and alone.
The boy eventually reached a small town. The buildings were
compact and antiquated, the scent of old wood markedly pres-
ent. The people seemed to be lost themselves, downcast and
somber, eyes facing down, dark shade over their faces. Ap-
proaching an old man, the boy attempted to ask for directions,
but was ignored. The man simply went on his way without
stopping, merging with the flood of shadows. Every person he
approached walked away, and once again, the boy was lost and
alone.
Suddenly, a dove appeared before the boy, white and pristine, as
if crafted from freshly fallen snow. In its beak, the bird carried
a small olive branch. The dove approached the boy and asked,
“Little boy, are you lost?” The boy, agitated and still flustered by
the lack of communication, answered, “No, I think I’m okay.
I’m still going to try and find my way back alone, thank you.”
The dove offered an olive branch to the boy, but again, the boy
declined and went on his way, wandering, lost and alone.
Days later, the boy came upon a forest of trees, lifeless and bare.
The long branches covered the canopy, connecting and inter-
twining to prevent any light from passing through and illumi-
nating the floor. Though intimidated, the boy walked on, deter-
mined to find his way through. After a few steps into the forest,
however, the boy grew terrified of the darkness and began to
cry. Wanting to turn out of the trees, he tried to look for the
entrance, but the darkness had enveloped him, and all he could
26 Spring 2017
see were shadows. The boy sobbed and cried until he had no
more tears to spend. Looking up at the blocked sky, he shouted,
“Help me, please! Anyone, please…”
And seconds later, a glowing light descended upon the forest
and appeared before him in the shape of a lion. The lion’s mane
radiated a bright light, its eyes piercing through the darkness
with a magnificent and breathtaking presence. At the sudden
bright light, the boy covered his eyes and crouched with his head
between his knees. Moments went by before the lion spoke in a
calm, resounding voice, “Boy, I am here for you, and I am your
strength. I was there when you began your journey, and I will
be with you until the end.” The boy wiped his tears and raced
to the lion, embracing the animal in a warm hug. Together, they
walked towards the marvelous light that severed the darkness.
David Shin is a freshman intending to concentrate in Neuroscience.