The trees creaked, waving their branches in the balmy breeze. Squirrels scurried around the sturdy trunks, chittering animatedly. A banyan tree watched silently in solitude. He had no friends except for a mynah who would come and sit on his branches, telling him about the world.

One day, the mynah perched on the tree, fluffing out her jet-black feathers. “Tell me about the world again,” The banyan tree begged. “The world's huge,” the mynah bragged. “The vast open meadows, precipitous mountains, barren deserts so hot till you could practically melt...”

The banyan tree listened and lamented, “What would I give to be free and see the world like you!” The mynah chirped enthusiastically, “Your wish may just come true!”

“What do you mean?” The tree leaned in curiously.

“There was a tale about a seedling yearning to travel the world. His companion sparrow found a forest where the trees were alive and could walk. A golden owl living in the forest gave it a leaf full of soil. The elated sparrow planted the little seedling in the soil, and, voila! The seedling grew into a towering tree, picked up its roots and could walk!” The banyan tree beamed with hope, “We must find this magical forest!”

The mynah pondered, “Alright. I’ll go and find it.”

She flew across mountains, crossed savage seas and encountered much danger. Wherever the mynah went, she would ask animals where to find this forest.

After much struggle, the mynah finally found it; a dense forest with lofty trees, uninhabited and mysterious. As the forest was overgrown and too difficult to fly through, the small mynah began to make its way through the thick undergrowth. The large trees opened to reveal a big clearing. A hollow in an isolated tree revealed an owl, her head slick with golden feathers, and her eyes weary with age.

The old owl rasped. “We heard about you.” The golden owl narrowed her eyes. “In order for your friend to be free, you must give up your freedom and stay in this forest forever.” The mynah was lost for words. Images of her friend, sad and lonely, wishing for a more adventurous life permeated her mind. The mynah thought for a moment and relented.

The banyan tree sat in the forest, forlorn as his friend had been gone for weeks. At dusk, a sparrow flew onto his branches and left a leaf full of soil. The banyan tree knew instinctively what it was. Touched, tears began to well up. Slowly the tree’s roots began to loosen and move. That night, the banyan tree walked away, and nothing was the same ever again.

The frightening thump of human feet raged like war to the animals below. On the surface, it was normal. To the underground, it risked their very lives. George's skin glistened in the simmer of sunlight seeping through the cracks in the floorboard as he laid as still as a statue, praying that the rotten wood would not crush under the weight of the giant. Thina quickly dug a hole in the ground and hid. Then, as fast as it happened, the stomps receded. The lives under the house got to live another day. George sighed, relieved. Minuscule sounds of pattering feet resumed, filling the darkness.

“George! You should have waited for the right moment!” Thina shrieked with anger. George had once again missed the chance for a feast of red-ants. The spiderling rolled eight eyes and trudged away from his sister, annoyed by her constant nagging.

“I'll show you I can hunt! I'll catch a whole family of worms!” George thought with determination. However, he did not catch a whole family of worms. In fact, he could not even catch an ant. George sighed with disappointment and crawled back home, dragging his four other legs behind him.Suddenly, George caught something from the corner of his eighth eye. Two ants, giant ones. They were scuttling across the soil, scavenging for food. George's eyes lit up. He hid behind a piece of scrap wood, bursting with excitement. The ants never stood a chance against this determined spiderling. George pounced with all the youth in his eight strong legs, and smiled with glee as he saw the absolute horror on the two ants' faces when they saw the glint in their predator's eyes. The venom flowed intravenously. It did not take long for his prey to succumb.

George cried out, with the ants in his mouth, “Momff! Dafff!”, pride in his giant, elated eyes. He dropped the two ants like a dog playing fetch with its owner. Thina rushed over in disbelief. “…G-good-j-job?” Mom and Dad on the other hand, complimented him for completing his first successful hunt. George beamed at his family.

“Thump!”

Everyone froze.

The underground knew that sound, but this one was too loud, too close. Without warning, all sunlight was blocked out. Everyone turned towards the source. A human face. A colossal titan. Screams filled the once peaceful land. The human shouted something, disgusted, but the underground did not understand. It was hell on earth. Everyone was scurrying around, horrified. Predators who would have had a feast of insects were desperately trying to escape the fate they knew they could not. Then, the human pulled out a spray-can. It was all over for the lives under the floorboards.

That night, the banyan tree walked away, and nothing was the same ever again.

“Child, you're grown up now, you've to be on your own,” she said in a resolute voice while releasing its grip on its seed, Ficus. “Mama…where…do you want me…to go? Don't leave me…” Ficus protested vehemently against her decision. Smiling reassuringly, she whispered in Ficus' ears, “There is a beautiful world outside of this forest. You have to see and experience it to find your destiny. One day, we'll be reunited. If you miss me, look upon the stars and I'll be smiling at you.” In that instant, Ficus felt herself pirouetting in the cold air.

Lying supine on the soil and oblivious to her fate, Ficus snivelled uncontrollably. Cicadas chanted a pensive requiem, while curious fireflies circled her like mischievous pixies gloating at her. She had the company of millions of constellations yet she never felt lonelier. Ensconced in the comfortable arms of the good earth, she soon fell asleep.

The first hues of sunrise illuminated each crevice of the land. As Ficus opened her eyes, she was momentarily blinded by the piercing rays. Her spirits, however, lifted at the sight of clear blue skies. The warmth of sunlight gave her the hope and courage she much needed. She felt optimism coursing through her veins. She was ready to embark on her journey.

She waltzed to the orchestra of the winds while relishing every scenery along the way. Meandering rivers stretching their long yearning arms and imposing mountains nudging their heads against expansive skies. Fickle clouds changing shapes each time she blinked. She witnessed farmers toiling laboriously in paddy fields and wrinkled fishermen snoozing in their boats. She heard the aggressive hollers of peddlers in bustling markets, alongside the hapless whimpers of mangled beggars. She smiled at children frolicking in the murky rivers, but teared at the sight of emaciated old folks limping in excruciating pain. She was fascinated by this kaleidoscope called life, interspersed with exuberance and melancholy. She finally understood her mother's intentions. Even though it must have broken her heart, the banyan tree loved Ficus too much to keep her by her side. She only wished for her to experience the joys and sorrows of the real world.

As she descended on a verdant woodland, the winds bade their farewell reluctantly. She knew her journey had come to an end. She had travelled a hundred miles, away from her mother, but she had not the slightest regret. As she looked up at the night sky, she finally saw the banyan tree smiling at her. She shuttered her eyes peacefully, preparing to germinate the next generation for their intrepid journey - just like herself.