Nana and the Secret of the Grey Forest

Ah! What a boring day it was! NaNa murmured, slumping against the tree trunk.

“Yes, Na Na, let’s play something interesting,” said Arora, her eyes twinkling with

mischief.

“Yes, that’s a great idea,” Eric chimed in. “But what can we play? Let’s play hide and

seek,” Riya suggested.

“Oh come on, we’re playing it every time. Think of something interesting,” Kevin

groaned, kicking at a loose stone.

NaNa, lost in thought, traced patterns in the dirt with a stick. “I have a new game,” she

announced, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Oh, what is it?” her friends exclaimed, their curiosity piqued.

“Treasure hunting!” NaNa declared.

A wave of excitement washed over them. “Wow!” “That sounds amazing!” “But where

can we get the treasures?” Eric asked, his brow furrowed.

“I know a place,” NaNa said cryptically.

“Come on, say it, NaNa!” they urged, their voices rising in anticipation.

NaNa hesitated, a shadow of doubt crossing her face. “The treasures are in… The Grey

House.”

The excitement that had been building within them shattered like glass. Their faces

paled, and a hush fell over the group.

Come on guys, what happened? Why were your faces like trees with no leaves?” NaNa

asked, bewildered by their sudden silence.

“Oh NaNa, are you serious about this?” Eric asked angrily. “Don’t you ever heard the

story about the old lady in the Grey House?”

“Yes, I’ve heard it,” NaNa admitted, her voice slightly subdued. “But we’ve never seen

her. And sometimes, those are just rumors to protect the treasures.”

Hey, this is true! When my grandmother was just nine years old,” Riya began, her voice

dropping to a hushed whisper, “she wandered away from her friends while playing in the

woods. Deep within the forest, she stumbled upon a house unlike any other – the Grey

House. It was old, eerie, and somehow… mesmerizing. There was this beautiful purple

flower blooming near the entrance, and she was so captivated by it that she drifted

closer.

Suddenly, she heard a strange, unsettling sound coming from within the house. Peeking

through a grimy window, she gasped. Inside, an old woman – wrinkled, gaunt, and

utterly terrifying – sat hunched over a table, counting a pile of glittering gold coins. And

she was singing… a chilling, eerie song.

Just then, an ant bit my grandmother’s hand. She cried out in surprise, and the old

woman, startled, turned towards the window. Their eyes met. My grandmother, petrified,

fled from the house as fast as her little legs could carry her.”

And this is the terrifying experience my grandmother had in her childhood,” Riya

finished, her voice still trembling slightly. “She’s still afraid of that forest. So NaNa, it’s a

useless idea to play treasure hunt. Let’s play red light, green light.”

“Come on, guys!” Riya urged, trying to lighten the mood.

“Hey, guys, wait!” NaNa declared, her voice surprisingly firm. “The treasures are true,

right? Then why can’t we take the treasures from her?”

Her friends were stunned. “Are you stupid, NaNa?” Kevin exclaimed angrily. “It’s very

dangerous! You’re playing with our lives!”

“Okay then,” NaNa shrugged, feigning indifference. “You guys don’t need to come. I’ll

manage it myself.”

Kevin shook his head. “My mom said she used to eat little children,” he said, his voice

dropping to a hushed tone. “One day, three kids were playing near the forest. She

kidnapped them! A car stopped to help, but the old woman attacked the driver and tried

to take the children. Luckily, the villagers and the children’s parents arrived in time.

Seeing the old woman, everyone froze in fear. But they fought back and rescued the

children.”

She said not to even go near the Grey Forest,” Kevin finished, his voice firm. “I’m not

going with you, NaNa,” he declared and walked away.

“I am too not coming with you, NaNa,” Riya echoed, joining Kevin.

Arora and Eric exchanged worried glances. Should they go with NaNa or stay with their

friends? Seeing their hesitation, NaNa felt a pang of sadness. She hugged them both

tightly. “Thank you for staying here,” she whispered. “But if you wish to go, you can. I’m

not forcing you.”

Arora and Eric, despite their fear, couldn’t bring themselves to leave her.

“But NaNa, why do you think this treasure is more important than your life?” Arora

asked, concern etched on her face.

“Oh, Arora, it’s not about the treasure itself,” NaNa explained. “I just want to know about

the old lady. That’s all.”

“Oh NaNa, it’s ridiculous!” Eric exclaimed. “We still have time. We can play another

game.”

“No, no,” NaNa insisted, her determination unwavering. “If you guys want to come, you

can. If you want to stay here, stay. I’m not backing down.”

“Okay, NaNa,” Arora said, her voice trembling slightly. “We agree. Let’s give our lives

into God’s hands.”

“Jesus, please save us,” Eric muttered under his breath.

NaNa smiled, touched by their unwavering loyalty. “I will give you both 30% of the

coins,” she declared, trying to lighten the mood.

“What? 30, 30? Are you sure we’ll even return, NaNa?” Eric questioned nervously.

“Yes, I’m sure,” NaNa said confidently. “Because Jesus is with us.”

“Sure, NaNa,” Arora agreed, her voice still laced with fear. “Now let’s go. We need to

return before it gets dark.”

Just as they were about to set off, they heard a voice. “NaNa, Eric, Arora, wait!”

They turned to see Kevin and Riya running towards them, each carrying a small bag.

“Oh, Kevin, Riya, what’s going on? Where are you going with those bags?” NaNa

asked, surprised.

“We’re coming with you,” Kevin said, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. “You

guys were scared, right? Then why are we not? It’s not that important to join you?”

Tears welled up in NaNa’s eyes. “Thank you, friends,” she whispered, hugging them all

tightly. “Thank you for being with me.”

“Okay, with full of energy, let’s begin our journey!” NaNa declared, her voice filled with

newfound determination.

“But what’s in your bags?” Arora asked curiously.

“Nothing,” Kevin replied, winking. “Just pepper spray and some candies.”

NaNa laughed. “Okay, guys. Let’s go treasure hunting!”

(And so, the four friends, their hearts pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement,

ventured into the depths of the Grey Forest, ready to face the unknown.)

Okay guys, we should return to home before getting dark. That’s mandatory,” Eric

declared.

“Ah, okay, okay,” NaNa replied, though her excitement was palpable.

(And the 5 children were entered into the dark deep woods named The Grey Forest.)

The forest was breathtaking. “Who named it The Grey Forest?” NaNa wondered aloud.

“They should have named it a piece of heaven!” Arora exclaimed. “Yeah, yeah, so good,

guys,” Kevin agreed.

The forest echoed with the joyful laughter of the five children. But suddenly, their

laughter was cut short. Their jaws dropped as they laid eyes on the haunted house.

It was far more terrifying than they had ever imagined. Their faces paled. “Hey, guys,

see the purple flower! It’s there!” Arora exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly. “It looks

so beautiful and mesmerizing! What a beautiful flower it is!”

“Hey, Arora, just talk slowly,” Riya warned. “Otherwise, the old lady will eat you!” Arora’s

face crumpled in fear.

“I think the lady is not in the house,” NaNa observed. “So, it’s a great opportunity to get

the treasures.”

“Let’s get in!” Eric urged.

“Aii, Arora, why did you pluck the flower?” Riya scolded.

“I just liked it, okay? Come on, don’t waste time!” Arora insisted, clutching the flower

tightly.

The house was a chilling sight. The furniture, dusty and cobweb-laden, looked ancient

and eerie.

Suddenly, Eric let out a triumphant shout. “Hey, I found the bag! I found it!”

They rushed towards him. Eric carefully opened the bag, and their eyes widened in

disbelief.

“Wow! So much gold!” they exclaimed, their faces glowing with excitement.

While the old lady reached the house and found out that one of her flowers was picked,

she knew someone must be inside. She spotted the five children and let out a

bloodcurdling scream, “Who are you, human devils?!”

The children were terrified. Their breaths hitched, and their bodies trembled.

“Who are you, human devils? Who plucked my flower?!” she shrieked again, her voice

echoing through the house.

All eyes turned to Arora. The old lady slowly approached her, her gaze fixed on the

trembling girl. “Oh no,” NaNa thought, a wave of dread washing over her.

Suddenly, NaNa stood up to the old woman. “How dare you call us human devils?” she

demanded. “You are the devil!”

The old woman’s expression softened. She approached NaNa slowly and gently placed

her finger under her chin. “Am I the devil?” she asked softly, her voice surprisingly

gentle. “Why did you human devils come to my house?”

NaNa was speechless. The old woman removed her coat, revealing a horrifying sight.

Her body was severely burned, half her face disfigured, and her left leg was completely

charred. Despite the grotesque appearance, NaNa felt a surge of pity.

The children started pleading, “Don’t eat us, please! Please let us go! Please, please!

We don’t need your coins. We’ll give them back to you! Please leave us alone!” they

cried.

The old woman seemed to understand their fear. She came closer and asked, “How

much coin do you take?”

“Three each,” the children stammered, quickly handing her the coins.

“Keep it,” the old woman said, surprising them.

“Are you going to eat us with the coins?” Kevin asked, his voice trembling.

The old woman let out a chilling laugh. “Do I look like I can eat the whole body of a

child?”

“Then will you cut our bodies into pieces and eat them?” Eric asked, his voice barely

audible. The old woman laughed again, a surprisingly melodic sound.

Seeing their chance, Kevin quickly sprayed the old woman in the face with pepper

spray. “Get out!” he yelled to his friends.

The old woman shrieked In pain, clutching her face. “My eyes! Help! Help!” she sobbed.

NaNa hesitated. She remembered an incident from her childhood when she accidentally

sprayed her mother with a pain relief spray. The excruciating pain her mother had

endured still haunted her. She couldn't bring herself to leave the old woman suffering.

“Kevin, what are you doing?” NaNa cried. “Come on, let’s escape! Otherwise, she’ll eat

us!” Kevin yelled.

“No, Kevin!” NaNa insisted. “I need to help her. I put you all in this mess, so you guys

escape. If it’s my fate to be eaten by her, so be it. But I can’t leave her like this. I know

how much it hurts.”

Everyone was stunned by NaNa’s words. Even the old woman, through her tears,

seemed touched by NaNa’s compassion.

“My friends stay with me,” Riya declared, her voice unwavering. “We can live or die

together. Let’s help her.”

This unexpected turn of events left everyone speechless

We need water and a soft cloth,” Arora said quickly.

NaNa grabbed a water bottle from her backpack, and Eric, ever resourceful, removed

his skirt and offered it to wipe the old woman’s eyes.

The old woman was visibly stunned by the children’s kindness. “You… you,” she

stammered, “I’ve never seen such kindness in anyone’s eyes.”

After tending to the old woman’s injuries, NaNa asked gently, “Hey, witch, is everything

okay? Does your eye still hurt?”

The old woman flinched. ”Witch? Who is she? I’m not a witch.”

“Why don’t you escape from me?” she continued, her voice filled with confusion. “You

human angels.”

“Human angels?” Eric echoed, bewildered. They had been calling her a witch, expecting

to be eaten, and now she was calling them angels?

“Yes, you are the angels,” she repeated, her voice filled with wonder.

The children were completely taken aback. They had been terrified of her, convinced

she was a malevolent creature. But now, she was calling them angels? It was all so

confusing.

“I’m not a witch,” the old woman clarified. “I’m Rebekah.”

“Rebekah? That sounds great,” Riya said. “But why do you look like a witch?”

“I don’t look like this,” Rebekah explained. “You people made me look like this. I’m just

old and broken, that’s all. And I’m not a witch.”

“Do you really eat children?” Arora asked, still a bit hesitant.

“No, I don’t,” Rebekah replied firmly. “How could I? I wouldn’t harm anyone.”

“Why are you staying here?” Riya bombarded her with questions. “Where are you from?

How did you get burned? My mom said one time you kidnapped three kids and hurt a

man who came to help them! Why did you do that?”

Rebekah sighed, a deep sadness etched on her face. “One day, while I was returning

home,” she began, “three children were playing near the forest. A man, a cruel man in a

red carriage, tried to kidnap them. I tried to save them, but I couldn’t stop him. In the

struggle, the man’s head hit the side of his carriage, and he fainted. The villagers,

misunderstanding, burned my house down that night. I was badly burned in the fire.”

“And there were many other incidents,” she continued, her voice trembling. “People

were afraid of me. They threw stones at me, stole my gold coins, and called me a witch.

I grew to hate people, to hate children.”

The children felt a wave of guilt wash over them. They had believed the worst of her,

feared her, and even tried to escape from her.

“But you children,” Rebekah said, her gaze softening, “you are not like them.”

Tears welled up in their eyes. They felt a deep sense of remorse and a newfound

respect for the old woman. They gathered around her, giving her a warm, comforting

hug.

Suddenly, a blinding flash of light filled the room. Rebekah’s disfigured face

transformed, becoming strikingly beautiful. Her old, tattered clothes shimmered and

changed into a flowing, ethereal gown.

The children gasped, rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Was it real? Or were they

hallucinating?

“NaNa,” Arora whispered, “isn’t that…?”

“I… I don’t know,” NaNa stammered, still in shock. “How is this possible?”

“I was a fairy,” Rebekah explained, her voice soft and melodious. “I lived above the

rainbow. But the Thunder King, in a fit of anger, cursed me. He said I needed to receive

a genuine, selfless hug from a truly innocent soul to break the curse. And he gave me

this… this appearance.”

“I came to Earth and found this house millions of years ago,” she continued. “For

centuries, I lived alone, forgotten and feared. But you children… you broke the curse.”

She turned the house into a beautiful, sparkling palace. “When you wish, you can come

here and stay,” she offered. “And please, take the gold. It’s yours.”

The children hesitated. “Are you sure?” NaNa asked.

“Of course,” Rebekah assured them. “It’s a gift from me to you.”

“Can I have the purple flower?” Arora asked, her eyes sparkling.

“Of course, dear,” Rebekah smiled. “It’s called a Crytulip. It only blooms in the Rainbow

Garden.”

“But how did it bloom here?” Arora wondered.

Rebekah leaned closer and whispered the secret to Arora, who giggled in delight.

“Thank you, Rebekah,” the children chorused, giving her another warm hug.

Rebekah gently touched each child’s forehead, and a soft, warm glow enveloped them.

“As a token of my gratitude,” she said, “I grant you a wish.”

The children exchanged excited glances. What could they wish for?

“I wish for courage,” NaNa declared, “to always stand up for what is right, even when

I’m afraid.”

“I wish for kindness,” Riya said, “to always see the good in others, even when they

seem scary.”

“I wish for adventure,” Eric exclaimed, “to explore the world and discover amazing

things.”

“I wish for strength,” Kevin said, “to protect those who need help.”

“And I wish for a lifetime of happy memories,” Arora added, clutching her Crytulip flower.

Rebekah smiled warmly. “Your wishes are granted,” she said. “Now, it’s time for you to

go home. But remember, you will always be connected to the magic of this place.”

With a final, shimmering wave, Rebekah vanished, leaving the children standing amidst

the ruins of the house, their hearts brimming with joy and wonder. As they walked back

through the forest, the air seemed lighter, the trees more vibrant. They knew they had

changed, forever.

And They returned home with their bags overflowing with gold coins, and a great

lesson.

-Dersha