Ravens are smart, which makes them one of the most dangerous predators in the forest. Their intelligence makes them powerful guardians of the souls, yet their eerie presence frightens us. We are the souls, living under the great trees, always a little afraid of them.

I once saw an old Raven by the lotus pond, beneath the willow tree. Setting aside my fear, I asked him, “have you ever seen a soul return to the forest after getting lost in the world of Man?”

He laughed.
“No soul ever returns to the forest from the world of Man. They lose their memories and forget the way back. You just can’t return. And why would you go there anyway? The pain is real there. The forest is the best place for souls like you, that’s why you need us Ravens, to guard you and keep danger away.”

“Can we at least peek into the world of Man?” I asked.

“Why would you peek into sorrow?”

“I just want to know.”

“Why would you want to know pain? There is no trial for it and no way back to the forest once you’ve crossed over. You risk everything here if you go to the world of Man.”

“Risk everything to find love.”

The Raven’s voice grew deep and tired.
“Souls are always searching,” he said, “but they never truly find.”

“But some souls do find what they’re looking for.”

“Ravens are older than souls. That’s why we became their guardians. And I am the eldest Raven in this forest. I know more than the oldest soul. You will never find what you seek. Just stay here.”

It was long ago that I traded my soulthread for the mark on my arm and walked into the world of Man. Now, dying alone here, I remember him.

I wish I had listened to the old Raven.