ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
STORY: One Who Wants to Believe

Lina believes. He always believed. There must be a reason for his existence in this world. Whatever it was, he was curious, and wanted to believe that reason meant. Maybe, someday, he'll get that answer. And, the only thing he had to do until that moment came, was to believe.

Soon, Lina will graduate from high school, and she hopes to continue her education so that she can become a teacher. However, Lina realized, that the dream might be impossible to achieve. He has almost nothing. No parents, and no money. There is only his uncle. A person who is unpleasant, and too evil.

Since Junior High, Lina herself has been trying to raise money by helping her neighbors sell fried foods and crackers. However, his Uncle always snatched the wages Lina received, and used them to gamble.

Honestly, Lina would definitely feel happy if her Uncle came back with a win. Well, of course, it's better not to be a hypocrite, right? But unfortunately, Uncle always lost the game, and returned drunk.

What a cruel reality.

“What is the reason... “ Lina asked herself while looking at the glowing blue sky. On that scorching afternoon, he sat alone under the old banyan tree, which was located deep in the middle of the forest. A place that was almost impossible for people to go to, including his uncle.

If Lina had the chance, no matter how small the chance of success was, she might have already built a hut under this tree. No problem living alone here, considering he is also used to being there alone, sometimes even until midnight.

However, it would be a problem if someone saw him back and forth in and out of the forest while carrying boards and tools that he should not hold. Yeah, a really big deal.

“What exactly is the reason... “ He asked once again.

It's been a dozen years, but his life hasn't improved. What's he supposed to do now? It was soon graduation day, and the situation was getting worse day by day. He was no longer strong enough to feel his Uncle's fist, as well as his treatment.

He needs a clue and an answer. Whatever it is.

Although in fact, Lina may have found the clue long ago, or since entering High School to be exact. But that's all, there's no other clue.

“Hey! C'mon fast! I'm hungry already!”

“Iya! I can also smell mother's cooking from here!”

When Lina heard those sounds in the distance, she immediately got up as fast as she could, and took a thousand steps and tried to find the source of the sound.

With a breath of breath, he dashed through the forest, and into the darkest part of the forest without hesitation. The sound of crumbling leaves was heard at each step. The further she entered, the more dense the trees grew there, to the point that Lina could no longer see the sunlight because the leaves were too dense. Until suddenly, Lina's eyes opened very wide, as if she had just seen a miracle.

Far away there, he could see there were three figures of a very strange looking little boy. They have facial curves like foreign people, as well as long taper ears, golden blonde hair, and odd green clothes.

Lina had read about those figures in the storybook. And broadly speaking, they were known as Forest Elves. They are creatures that live in forests, and use their magic to protect and protect nature.

They are the real wonders.

Lina continued running, darting, and trying to reach the three children.

However, quickly the three boys stepped closer to a large tree that Lina did not know of. Then, one of them opened the door that should never have been on the tree, then went inside.

“No! Wait!”

But it's too late. The door closed and vanished without a trace from the surface of his tree bark. Likewise with the three children, who have now disappeared just like being swallowed by the earth.

“No... “ Lina fell to her knees in front of that tree. His eyes radiated and began to shed tears. Sweat drenched in the face. He had tried thousands of times to meet the children, hoping to be with them, but he had always failed. “Please don't leave me... Please... “

Again, what a cruel truth.

“God... I believe that my faith is something that matters... So, please don't give me a reason to hate... “