The Underwood Boy

Light dances in the eyes of the
three generations.

The youngest leans forward:
‘Grandpa, won’t you tell us a story?’

‘Well now,’ says the old man,
poking the flames, ‘How about the
boy who ran away to the woods?
He wanted a life that was wild
and free, but the wood had other
plans. Trees grew up around him,
swallowing the light. Birds stopped
singing, animals fled. Some say he
suffocated. Alone. In the darkness.
Others swear they still hear him.
Crying for home.’

The boy shuffles closer to his father.
‘Don’t worry, Son. He’s not here.’

Click here to view the design that inspired this piece of writing.

Designer: sebastiancox.co.uk
Illustrator: Assa Ariyoshi