Footprints in the Foggy Forest** Orientation Raka was a 16-year-old boy who lived near a big, foggy forest. People said the forest was creepy. Raka actually didn’t like going near it, because it always made him nervous. His father used to be an explorer, but one day he went into the forest and never came back. Since then, Raka often felt sad and also scared when he thought about it. One afternoon, Raka met Daru, an old man who used to know his dad. Daru said, *“If you want to find the truth, you have to be brave and enter the forest. I’ll help you.”* Raka was super nervous, but he really wanted to know what happened to his father. Finally, he said yes. Complication When they started walking inside, the fog got thicker and thicker. The forest was so quiet, but sometimes they heard strange sounds, like footsteps. Raka whispered, *“Daru, did you hear that?!”* “Yes,” Daru said calmly. “Don’t panic. Stay close to me.” Suddenly, they saw footprints on the ground. Raka’s heart almost jumped. *“Wait… this could be my dad’s!”* “Or maybe not,” Daru answered. “But let’s follow them.” They followed until they saw a girl standing near the trees. She looked serious and a little scary. “Who are you?” Raka asked. “I’m Ayaka,” she said. “I live in the village nearby. Many people go inside this forest, but… most of them never come back. Maybe your father is one of them.” Raka quickly shook his head. *“No! My father loved nature. I know he’s still here somewhere!”* Ayaka sighed. *“Fine. If you really want to continue, I’ll show you the way. But remember, the forest doesn’t like careless people.”* As they walked together, the forest got even creepier. The trees creaked like they were alive. Weird whispers came from the fog. Raka stopped walking. *“I can’t… I can’t do this. What if he’s gone? What if I never find him?”* Daru put his hand on Raka’s shoulder. *“Listen. Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you keep going even when you’re scared. If you stop now, you’ll regret it forever.”* Raka closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded. *“Okay… let’s go.”* Resolution At last, they reached a giant tree in the middle of the forest. Under its roots, Raka saw something wrapped in old cloth. He picked it up with shaking hands—it was his father’s journal. Raka opened it and read one of the last notes: *“If I do not return, know that I gave myself to the forest.”* Raka’s chest felt tight. *“So… Dad is really gone…”* he whispered. Daru spoke softly, *“Maybe not here in body, but his spirit and knowledge are still with you.”* Ayaka nodded. *“This journal is his legacy. You found the answer.”* Raka hugged the journal, tears falling from his eyes. He felt both sad and relieved. Coda (Conclusion) From his journey, Raka learned that being brave does not mean you are never afraid. It means you keep going even when fear is still there. Even though he didn’t find his father alive, Raka found the truth and also found strength inside himself. The lesson is: **we should not run away from our fears, but face them to find answers and peace.**