They walked along the sidewalk, hand in hand, heading toward the forest that was well-known in the neighborhood.
Mama Ipoh whistled softly as she strolled, the cheerful tune filling the crisp morning air. Viora, by her side, remained silent, but a gentle smile graced her small face. Her cheeks were flushed pink from the cold, though the warmth of Mama Ipoh's hand seemed to ward off the chill.
The orbs of blue plasma floated around them, bobbing gently in the air like playful companions. Leaves drifted lazily from the trees lining nearby yards, carried by the breeze to the sidewalk. The vibrant colors of autumn—reds, oranges, and yellows—painted the ground in a patchwork quilt, crunching softly beneath their steps.
The two walked in peaceful harmony, their bond growing stronger with each step toward the forest.
A leaf fluttered down and landed on Viora's nose, causing her to come to an abrupt stop. Mama Ipoh, noticing the sudden halt, turned around with a smile and asked,
"What's wrong? Don't you want to go to the forest? It's quite a sight in autumn!"
Viora gently plucked the leaf off her nose, her face lighting up with a smile as she held it up to Mama Ipoh. "A leaf landed on my nose!" she said softly.
Mama Ipoh let out a light giggle, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "How lucky of you!"
Both of them shared a quiet laugh, their steps once again in sync as they continued their journey toward the forest.
After about ten minutes of walking, they reached the entrance to the first path leading into the forest. A sign stood at the start of the trail, warning people on what to do in case of an encounter with wild animals.
The forest stretched out before them, a breathtaking sight. The trees were dressed in vibrant hues of orange, yellow, and red, their leaves swirling gently in the breeze. The scene was so beautiful, it felt as if the forest itself was painted by the hand of autumn.
"Wow…" Viora whispered, still holding tightly to Mama Ipoh's hand. She then looked back at Mama Ipoh, her eyes wide with awe. Mama Ipoh smiled gently and said, her voice soft with a hint of wistfulness:
"It is indeed very beautiful. If only the city were filled with the same beauty…"
As they walked through the forest, the world around them seemed to come alive with sound. The crunch of their footsteps on the fallen leaves, the soft rustling of the wind through the remaining leaves still clinging to the trees, and the occasional birdsong all blended into a gentle symphony. Viora listened intently, her senses awakening to the quiet beauty of the natural world. It was the first time she had experienced nature like this—without distractions or haste—and perhaps for the first time, she realized how much she had underestimated its beauty.
With every step, she felt a deeper connection to the surroundings, as if the forest itself was sharing its peace with her.
Viora lifted her head, sniffling slightly as her nose ran. "You're right," she said, her voice muffled but thoughtful. "The city should really be like this. I wonder why it isn't?"
Mama Ipoh, always prepared, reached into her purse and pulled out a handkerchief. Gently, she pressed it to Viora's face. "I can do it myself," Viora muttered, but Mama Ipoh simply smiled and put the used handkerchief back into her purse.
With a soft sigh, Mama Ipoh gazed up at the sky, her smile warm as she spoke again. "We really are similar, aren't we?" she said thoughtfully. "Well, I suppose people who can see spirits tend to be alike in some ways." She looked down at Viora, her expression turning a little more serious. "But to answer your question—it's because humans don't know how to advance their technology and still stay connected to nature. They get too caught up in progress and forget the balance."
Viora looked up at Mama Ipoh, her curiosity piqued. "They forget the balance?"
Mama Ipoh nodded, her gaze distant as she spoke. "Yes. I'm not saying humans shouldn't get more technologically advanced or that we should go back to living like cavemen. But people need to learn how to use the resources given by Mother Nature without being greedy. They take everything they can from nature without letting it replenish itself, without giving it time to recover. Human society always wants more and more as it advances, but our little planet is not an endless supply of resources. You know, it's taken millions upon millions of years just for the first ocean to form."
She paused, her eyes focusing on a distant tree as the wind blew through the forest. "Nature has its own pace. If humans don't learn to respect that pace, they'll end up with nothing left to take."
Viora stopped and bent down, her small hands carefully picking up a single leaf from the ground. The vibrant colors of the leaf seemed to glow in the soft light filtering through the trees. Mama Ipoh paused, waiting patiently for Viora, a gentle smile on her face.
Once Viora stood up, leaf in hand, she looked up at Mama Ipoh, her voice soft and a little hesitant. "I think I understand what you mean."
Mama Ipoh's smile widened, and she reached out, gently patting Viora's head. "I'm sure you do. After all, you can see spirits."
The words hung in the air for a moment, as the two of them stood there amidst the quiet beauty of the forest, their connection to nature and each other deepening with every passing second.
They continued walking through the forest, the path gently curving until they came upon a large lake. The surface of the water gleamed under the sunlight, ducks swimming peacefully across, their soft quacking creating a tranquil melody.
Viora's eyes lit up, and she pointed excitedly toward the ducks. "Look, Mama Ipoh! Their ducks!"
Mama Ipoh smiled warmly, nodding in acknowledgment. "I see them..." She watched the ducks for a moment before sitting beside Viora on the soft grass near the lake. For a while, they simply sat in silence, the sound of the ducks and the rustling leaves creating a peaceful rhythm. The air was calm, and the serenity of the moment wrapped around them like a gentle embrace.
After a while, Viora broke the silence, holding one of her glowing blue plasma spirits in her hand. "Then what's the solution for humans to still become more advanced without disturbing the pace of nature?" she asked, her tone thoughtful.
Mama Ipoh, who was sitting beside her, glanced at the spirit in Viora's hand before answering. "Well, I'm not one to force my beliefs on other people, but I do have my own ideal for the future. I believe that humans should rebuild their relationship, not only with nature, but with spirits as well. We've become so focused on what we can control, what we can take, that we've lost touch with the world beyond the physical. The spirits, nature, and humanity should coexist, each helping the other to grow and evolve in harmony."
Viora gently tossed the glowing spirit into the air, watching as it gracefully flew back to its companions floating nearby. She turned back to Mama Ipoh, her expression thoughtful. "How can we do that? Most people can't even see spirits," she said softly.
Mama Ipoh let out a warm, hearty laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, that's why we have shamans, isn't it?"
Viora's eyes widened slightly, her curiosity piqued. She tilted her head and asked with a hint of confusion, "What is a shaman?"
Mama Ipoh leaned down, picking up a vibrant leaf from the ground. She examined it for a moment, then continued with a gentle smile. "Well, I suppose the word 'shaman' might be a little complicated for a child. But they're individuals who can connect with the spiritual world and influence the physical one. Sometimes they heal, sometimes they divine answers, and sometimes they do other things that might be too complex for your young mind to grasp right now."
She twirled the leaf in her fingers as she spoke, her tone becoming more contemplative. "But I believe shamans should hold a more important and respected role in society. They are meant to be the bridge—the physical embodiment of the connection between nature and the spiritual world. Shamans carry immense knowledge, knowledge that's often overlooked in this modern age."
Mama Ipoh's voice softened as she glanced at Viora, her words carrying weight. "The very word 'shamanism' comes from a term meaning 'one who knows.' Shamans are guides, protectors, and healers—not just for spirits, but for people too. And maybe, just maybe, if more people understood and respected that role, the balance we've been talking about wouldn't seem so impossible."
Viora's eyes sparkled with newfound wonder, and she gazed up at Mama Ipoh, feeling as if she'd just uncovered a secret about the world she had only begun to understand.
Mama Ipoh let out a soft sigh, her gaze drifting toward the horizon as she continued, "But unfortunately, shamanism is a practice that's fading away. Fewer and fewer people follow it nowadays. And even more people… they don't believe in spirits or show nature the respect it truly deserves. So, who knows what the future holds?"
She slipped her hands into her pockets, the subtle weight of her words hanging in the air. Her black sunglasses masked her eyes, hiding whatever emotions might be stirring behind them. Viora glanced at her with a curious expression, hesitating before asking, "Mama Ipoh, are you a shaman?"
Mama Ipoh paused, as though reflecting on the question. Her lips curved into a faint smile as she finally replied, "Well, by definition, I am still a shaman. But I'm not as active as I used to be. Back in my younger days, though…" Her voice trailed off, carrying a tone of nostalgia, and she chuckled softly. "Let's just say I was far more involved back then."
Viora, still seated near the edge of the lake, clenched her fists with determination. Her voice rang with confidence as she declared, "Then how about I just become a shaman? That way, I can teach people how to be kind to nature and spirits!"
Mama Ipoh blinked, momentarily taken aback by the conviction in the young girl's words. Then, a warm laugh bubbled up from her chest, and she shook her head fondly. "Yes," she said with a smile that reached her hidden eyes, "I'm sure with people like you around, the world will be in good hands."
They sat in silence for a moment longer, watching the ducks drift further into the distance, their ripples fading across the lake. Then Mama Ipoh stood, stretching her arms wide as she groaned lightly, "Well, it's time to continue our walk!"
Viora immediately jumped to her feet, mimicking Mama Ipoh's stretch with enthusiasm. She raised her arms high and exclaimed, "Okay!" Her voice was bright and full of energy as they set off again, the leaves crunching underfoot as their journey through the forest resumed.
chapter twenty-three end
{after chapter poem}
Though my eyes may be ignorant,
They see the room I have to grow—
To grow as kind as the tallest tree.
The future holds its secrets still,
For I am but a droplet,
Waiting to swell into a river,
Reaching for the place I long to be.
With your hand in mine,
Another droplet, small yet steady,
We drift together down this uncertain stream.
Though I've yet to find where I belong,
With you beside me,
I am sure we can both grow,
Flowing as one,
An unstoppable current,
Carving our way through the world.