Winners of the Enchanted Forest Short Story Writing Competition
Our winners are -
1. Priya Srivastava
Title - The Enchanted Forest of Landour
Some places are visited. Others are felt.
Landour was never just a hill station to me. It was an enchanted forest where reality and imagination quietly held hands.
The moment I stepped beneath its towering deodar and oak trees, I felt as though I had crossed an invisible doorway into another world. The trees weren't merely standing there; they were whispering to one another. Their leaves danced gently, carrying conversations only the wind could understand. Every gust seemed like a message passed from one ancient tree to the next.
I often wondered if the Sun asked their permission before peeking through the dense canopy.
"May I shine a little brighter today?"
And perhaps the clouds, floating lazily above the mountains, paused every morning to ask,
"What shall I gift you today? A blanket of mist... golden sunshine... gentle rain... or soft white snow?"
The forest, I imagined, always answered in silence.
The roads curled through the woods like forgotten sentences in an old fairy tale. They were almost empty, inviting you to walk slowly, never in a hurry. On one side lay endless forests; on the other, valleys so deep that the clouds rested inside them before climbing back to the sky. Looking down into those emerald gorges felt like peering into another universe.
Then, unexpectedly, hidden among the trees stood magnificent old villas. Their stone walls, ivy-covered roofs, and wooden balconies blended so perfectly with the forest that they looked as though the trees themselves had built homes for those who truly respected nature. Outside many gates hung weathered wooden boards reading...
"Beware of Dogs."
Yet strangely, I was never afraid of the dogs.
I smiled because it felt as though they weren't guarding houses at all; they were protecting the magic of the forest from those who arrived without wonder in their hearts.
Somewhere nearby, a peacock announced his presence with a call that echoed across the valley. Birds answered from unseen branches. A squirrel raced up a tree. Far away, something moved gently through the undergrowth, reminding me that this forest belonged first to its wild inhabitants and only then to us.
Even silence had a sound there.
And then, tucked quietly beneath the shade of ancient trees, I found an old graveyard.
There were no feelings of fear.
Only peace.
It seemed as though the forest had wrapped every resting soul in an endless embrace. Moss covered the weathered gravestones, wildflowers bloomed without invitation, and the towering trees stood like silent guardians, keeping stories alive that no history book could ever tell.
As evening approached, the mountains slowly disappeared behind silver mist. The air grew cooler, carrying the fragrance of damp earth, pine needles, and old wood. It felt impossible to tell where the forest ended and the sky began.
Standing there, I realised something beautiful.
Perhaps enchanted forests don't exist because they are filled with fairies or magic spells.
Perhaps they exist because they remind us that nature is alive.
Those trees speak.
That mountains listen.
Those clouds ask permission.
That even the Sun learns patience.
And that somewhere, hidden between the whispering deodars of Landour, there is still a place where the world moves not by the ticking of clocks, but by the heartbeat of the forest.
I left Landour with photographs in my phone.
But the enchanted forest...
It came home quietly, rooted forever in my heart.
"Perhaps heaven isn't above the clouds. Perhaps it has always been hiding beneath the deodars of Landour."
2. Debaleena Mukherjee
Title - THE VIRIDISCENT OLDE FORESTE
When pink oleanders are taller than me, or wood rose sways to brush my cheeks, I’ll wait awhile. The hibiscus dances like gemstone danglers; the orange blossoms are luscious as sweet candy. I’ll feel the ferns shiver in the breeze and the tall wild grass feather across my fingers. I’ll stand under the huge wild blackberry tree and look at the purple stains on the grass and stones. The abundance of the mad sweetness is heady. Fallen leaves that’ll float and fly.
When the tall pink oleander waits to touch my hair, the wood rose waits to caress my cheek; the hibiscus nods in the breeze; I’ll wait awhile. Why hurry, the pomegranates are glowing, the stream is lazy, the clouds are languid- why hurry? If the blue sky embraces the green earth with blissful ease, why should I hurry!
In the grass, I discovered two tiny mushrooms. Lost in the grass. “Don’t uproot them”, I said. They are fairy perches. Perhaps Thunbelina, Tinkerbell and Tom Thumb gossip around them? Or the Frog Prince waits for the kiss beneath that mushroom. Poor chap.. Are these mushrooms fairy parasols? These mushrooms might have been the elves’ workshop where they stitched boots for the shoemaker? Or, when it rained, the seven dwarfs took shelter beneath them. It could’ve been the umbrella behind which Mr Bee kissed Miss Butterfly, and then they made these into tables for the wedding banquet. Or Thumbelina and Tom Thumb dated at ‘Cafe Mushroom’ over a midget mushroom table?
Some nights, at the witching hour, you could stand at your window and whisper a name. Through the night sky there’ll be a rush of wings, and a shimmery streak of fire, stars and glistening green. It’ll swoop down and wait for you to climb on its back. Then, at the witching hour, you’ll soar to the navy black sky or graze the chiffon clouds. The moon will grin, stars will wink. On the lone flight at night, the pilot will stare in disbelief and send for coffee to wake himself up. You’ll soar. Alongside will flap a solemn owl, its feathers slightly singed by the fire spurts from his friend. Small spurts of flames that were snorts of laughter. Anyway, you’ll roam the friendly skies. On your pet dragon of green velvet, rose gold scales and nails of teal blue and fireballs when she snorts or sneezes.
I have discovered this enchanted forest in my heart, where wildflowers tumble and cling to old, wise trees. The sun-dappled trees create the gold-green komorebi. I sit under the oldest oak in the forest, or I look for fairies in the glades. I examine the rainbow in the dewdrop and the sky reflected in the forest pool. I wade into the lucent stream that lapped my feet with lacy ruffles.
Let life happen; let my life happen too. Wherever I go, the “Enchanted Forest” will spread its roots and leaves for me. And starlight and fireflies will glow like a reading lamp, for I will surely carry a book.
3. Vipra Jain
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful, enchanting forest far away from the noise of the city. This was not an ordinary place; it was a magical land. The forest was filled with lush green and golden leaves, clear rivers, and an abundance of food. The air had a sweet, wild roses aroma, and gentle, colourful lights shone behind the bushes at night like tiny stars. Because the forest was full of peace and prosperity, all the animals—both young and old— lived together happily in their comfortable homes.
In the centre of this forest stood a very old, magical Banyan tree. This tree had a special power: if someone sat under it, the tree could hear their deepest inner wish and make it come true. However, the animals were unaware of this magic.
Even though the forest provided everything perfectly, three young animals were not satisfied. They were filled with raw desires and a hunger for luxury.
The first was Som, a young deer who had just grown up. He looked at his beautiful horns and thought, "Eating grass and living peacefully is boring. I want luxury. I want to be the strongest leader, and I want everyone to bow down to me."
The second was Chandra, a young elephant. He was very rebellious. He hated his group's rules and customs. "Why should I walk slowly behind the elders? Why should I follow old traditions?" Chandra thought. "I want to leave this group and live on my own terms."
The third was a small rabbit named Bodhi. He was always afraid of bigger animals. He thought, "If only I had a giant body, I would be safe and happy."
One day, all three animals happened to sit together under the magical Banyan tree, thinking about their deep desires. The Banyan tree heard their hearts, and its magic began to work.
The next morning, their wishes came true!
Som woke up and saw his whole tribe bowing to him. They asked him to become their King. Som felt very proud. He finally had power and luxury.
Chandra woke up completely free. He had broken away from his group and was now the master of his own area, with no elders to tell him what to do.
Bodhi the rabbit woke up and looked down. He had become as huge as a monster! He thought he was finally safe.
But did they find true happiness? No. Soon, their troubles started.
Even though they lived in a paradise where the wind was divine, and flowers bloomed instantly wherever a happy animal stepped, the three troubled souls could no longer feel or see the forest's enchantment. Their own greed and worries blocked the beauty around them.
A month passed. Som, the deer King, was completely stressed out. He had no time to play or rest. He spent all day solving arguments and worrying about duties. His old friends were now scared of him and stopped talking to him. He had luxury, but he was completely lonely.
Chandra, the elephant, faced a big problem when the dry season came. Because he had rejected his group's culture, he did not know the secret water paths that the elders always remembered. He was completely alone, thirsty, and weak. He realised that his rebellion had made him helpless.
And Bodhi, the giant rabbit, was miserable. He was too big to hide in his cosy burrow. He could not walk through the bushes without getting stuck, and he could never find enough food to fill his giant stomach. He was always uncomfortable.
An old Crow was sitting on a branch of the Banyan tree, watching everything. He flew down and stood near the three sad animals.
"You all ran after outside things to find happiness," the wise Crow said. "One wanted power, one wanted to leave his culture, and one wanted a big body. But look at you now. Are you happy?"
The animals kept their heads down in shame.
The Crow explained nicely, "True strength comes when we respect our roots and follow our culture. Our traditions are made by our elders to protect us. And true happiness does not live in outside luxuries or size—it lives inside our own heart and mind. If you work on your inner self, you can conquer any situation."
The animals understood the deep life lesson. They closed their eyes and prayed to the Banyan tree with true devotion. They did not ask for big things this time; they just asked to become their normal selves again.
With a soft blessing of leaves, the Banyan tree took its magic back.
Som went back to being a normal deer, happy to run with his friends. Chandra rejoined his elephant family, proudly following the ancient paths of his elders. And Bodhi tucked himself safely back into his small, perfect home. They finally understood that peace lives within us.
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