THE TWIG by Dwita Kartini

Working with Made Dwita Kartini on this short story was great fun. Our sessions at Ganesha University in Singaraja, North Bali, were an opportunity for me to learn about the ideas behind Dwita’s inspiration. Together, we visualised the characters and setting she brought to life with thoughtfulness and skill. Rich with imagery and full of magic, this is a beautiful fairytale from a promising young writer.

The open lonely window at the corner of his room was not enough to vanish the smell of the paint. His right hand held a palette of many undefined colours. His left hand was busy moving the brush, making a masterpiece. He was sure it would be one. Ted Ogre, the well-known Artist, he believed. He spent his whole days painting in his room and selling them near the town square. Poor Ted, it was a small town with a lack of wealthy people. Most of his paintings ended up ignored.

His dad, Mr. Ogre, was a drunk. He got drunk almost every day. He yelled at Ted whenever he got drunk. His mother had passed away when he was five. Sometimes, Ted felt like he had no one.

One day, his dad yelled at him until Ted thought; God, I need a break! He decided to do some sketches in the forest behind his house. But this spring, people around the town crowded it as they collected firewood and fruit. Ted decided to go deeper to the forest where nobody could find him. For the first time he went further than ever before. There was no light but the sunshine that rolled through the leaves, no sound but his footsteps and the birds singing.

Ted opened his painting kit and started to sketch the trees. A bird was chirping under a big tree. It seemed that a little bird had fallen from its nest. Ted picked up the little bird, climbed the tree and returned it to its nest. He continued to sketch. He was having fun but then he realised that the sunshine had turned to a dim light. I need to get back.

As he packed his things and walked through the big trees, the light faded out until there was none. He walked for hours but all was pitch black. He could not see anything, he was lost. Suddenly there were fireflies out of nowhere. One firefly looked peculiar. Its light grew bigger until it was as big as Ted. He closed his eyes, frightened.

Ted gathered his bravery and opened his eyes. Standing in front of him, was a girl. A dim glow surrounded her.

But who would live in the middle of the forest? He could not see her clearly, but he was quite sure that she was about the same age as him. The girl held his hand and led him to the way out of the forest. She said nothing along the way and when Ted could see the light from his house, the girl disappeared. It felt like a dream.

As usual, his Dad continued to yell at him without reason. Ted ignored him as he had grown used to it and went to his room. He took a piece of paper and tried to draw the girl he had just seen. She haunted his mind. Ted could not forget what happened but he doubted what he had experienced.

For the second time, he went in to the forest to make sure. As he went deeper, the tree trunks became thicker. Then he saw the girl standing under a pine tree. She had curly long blonde hair, was barefoot and wearing white pyjamas even though it was the day. Is it her? he wondered. Their eyes met and she smiled. Ted walked towards her and he took the paper he had sketched on out of his pocket.

It is her.

Surprising him, the girl approached and thanked him for helping her friend. The little bird he had helped yesterday was her friend. When Ted asked the girl what her name was, she told him that it was Lina. She lived in the forest and was not allowed to go outside it. Ted laughed at this. He thought that Lina had a unique sense of humour. She did not laugh and he stopped laughing although he still believed that it was a joke. He thanked her for helping him and they became friends.

After that day, they often met in the forest. They talked, they played with the animals, and did a lot of things together. As years passed, Ted grew to know and love the forest, and Lina. He wanted Lina to know his town, the place he lived. There, he would to confess his feelings to her.

He went to the forest, met Lina and took her hand. She tried to escape his grip, but he ignored her. He wanted to give Lina a surprise. Yet, when they got nearer to the town, he felt there was something different about Lina’s hand. It was getting stiff and rough, but Ted didn’t turn to look around. He believed that it was just his imagination.

Once they were out of the forest, he looked back. She must be very happy, he thought. But what he held was not Lina’s hand. It was a small twig with curly golden leaves. He turned the twig over in his hands and could not believe what had just happened. He ran back to the forest and called for Lina. People stared at him, but he did not care. He went deeper, but still he could not find her. What Lina had said was true.

I’m not allowed to go out of the forest.

Made Dwita Kartini was born in Singaraja, January 17th 1998. Dwita is studying at Ganesha University of Education majoring English Language Education. Her hobbies are drawing and watching movies.