When the Forest Sleeps

By day, Adrian was always on the move. Meetings, deadlines, phone calls—his life was a blur of constant activity. He was good at what he did, but his temper was short, and his patience even shorter. If something went wrong, he wasn’t shy about raising his voice or snapping at those around him. People in the office avoided him when they could, except for Emma, the new team member who seemed immune to his moods.

One afternoon, Adrian and Emma clashed over a project. She had made a suggestion he didn’t agree with, and his sharp words left her visibly flustered. As Emma walked away quietly, Adrian felt a pang of guilt, but he shook it off. “She’ll get over it,” he muttered.

That evening, as always, Adrian escaped to the forest near his home. It was the only place where he could breathe, where the constant demands of life seemed to fade. He followed a narrow trail lit by moonlight, the crunch of leaves under his boots blending with the gentle chirping of crickets. The forest, with its soft rustling branches and distant hoot of an owl, felt like it belonged to him alone.

Adrian sat on a fallen log, listening to the rhythmic symphony of nature. “The forest sleeps,” he whispered, leaning back to gaze at the stars through the canopy. Here, in the quiet embrace of the woods, he could let his guard down. There was no need to rush, no one to yell at, no expectations to meet. Just the calming sounds of a world at rest.

The next day at work, Adrian noticed Emma avoiding him. She didn’t meet his eyes during meetings or stop by his desk to ask questions like she used to. For reasons he couldn’t quite explain, it bothered him. That night, as he walked the forest trail, her face lingered in his thoughts. He wondered if he should apologize, but the thought made him uneasy.

To his surprise, the next evening, Emma showed up at his desk just as he was packing up. “Can I talk to you for a moment?” she asked, her voice calm.

Adrian nodded, unsure of what to expect.

“I’ve heard you go to the forest at night,” Emma said. “Why?”

Adrian blinked, startled. “It helps me relax. Why do you ask?”

She hesitated. “I’ve been feeling... overwhelmed. I thought maybe it could help me too.”

Adrian didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t used to people asking to share his private escape, but something about Emma’s expression made him nod. “Alright. Meet me there at eight.”

That night, they walked the trail in silence at first. Adrian felt self-conscious, but Emma seemed content, her eyes scanning the trees and her ears tuned to the sounds of the forest.

“It’s beautiful,” she said softly as they reached the log where Adrian usually sat. “I never realized how peaceful it is at night.”

Adrian nodded. “It’s the only time the world feels... quiet.”

They sat side by side, listening to the gentle hum of insects and the whisper of the wind. After a while, Adrian cleared his throat. “Emma, about the other day—I was out of line. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.”

Emma glanced at him, surprised. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

Adrian exhaled, feeling a weight lift. “I’ve been so caught up in everything that I forget to slow down. Coming here helps, but I think... I need to carry that calm with me, not just leave it here.”

Emma smiled. “It’s not easy to slow down. But I think you’re right. Maybe it starts with noticing people more.”

Adrian nodded. “Not just noticing. Appreciating.” He glanced at her. “I see how hard you work. And I appreciate it.”

Emma looked away, but not before Adrian caught the hint of a smile on her face.

The next morning, Adrian walked into the office feeling different. He didn’t rush from one task to the next, and he greeted Emma warmly, earning a genuine smile in return. That night, as he walked the forest trail alone, he felt lighter. The forest was still his sanctuary, but now, he saw it as a place to reflect—not just escape.

When the forest sleeps, Adrian realized, it’s not about running away from life. It’s about learning how to meet it with kindness and grace. And as he listened to the soothing sounds around him, he smiled, knowing he was finally learning to see people, not just talk at them.

Phrasal Verbs & Example Sentences

Shake off – To dismiss or forget something.

  • Example: “Adrian felt a pang of guilt, but he shook it off.”

Get over – To recover from or stop being upset about something

  • Example: “‘She’ll get over it,’ he muttered.”

Show up – To arrive somewhere.

  • Example: “To his surprise, Emma showed up at his desk.”

Pack up – To gather belongings and prepare to leave.

  • Example: “Emma showed up at his desk just as he was packing up.”

Slow down – To take things at a more relaxed pace.

  • Example: “‘I’ve been so caught up in everything that I forget to slow down.’”

 

Phrasal Verb Quiz

Fill in the Blank with the Correct Phrasal Verb

  1. Adrian felt guilty after snapping at Emma, but he tried to ________ the feeling.

  2. He told himself Emma would ________ his harsh words and move on.

  3. To Adrian’s surprise, Emma ________ at his desk just as he was getting ready to leave.

  4. Adrian was so busy that he rarely remembered to ________ and take a break.

  5. Emma approached Adrian’s desk while he was ________ his things for the day.

Answers: Phrasal Verbs

  1. Shake off

  2. Get over

  3. Showed up

  4. Slow down

  5. Packing up

 

Idioms & Example Sentences

Caught up in everything – To be deeply involved or overwhelmed by tasks or events.

  • Example: “I’ve been so caught up in everything that I forget to slow down.”

Let his guard down – To relax and stop being defensive.

  • Example: “Here, in the quiet embrace of the woods, he could let his guard down.”

Lift a weight – To feel relief after addressing a burden.

  • Example: “Adrian exhaled, feeling a weight lift.”

Take time to breathe – To pause and relax.

  • Example: “Taking time to breathe and meet people.”

Appreciate someone – To recognize someone’s value or effort.

  • Example: “‘I see how hard you work. And I appreciate it.’”

 

Idiom Quiz

Fill in the Blank with the Correct Idiom

  1. Adrian admitted he had been ________ and had forgotten to slow down.

  2. In the quiet of the forest, Adrian could finally ________ and relax.

  3. After apologizing to Emma, Adrian felt himself ________.

  4. Emma told Adrian it was important to ________ and connect with others.

  5. Adrian told Emma, “I see how hard you work, and I ________ everything you do.”

Answers: Idioms

  1. Caught up in everything

  2. Let his guard down

  3. Lift a weight

  4. Take time to breathe

  5. Appreciate someone

 

Multiple-Choice Questions

Circle the correct answer.

  1. What was Adrian’s behavior like at work?
    a. He was calm and patient.
    b. He was short-tempered and impatient.
    c. He avoided talking to people.
    d. He was overly apologetic.

  2. Who in the office seemed unaffected by Adrian’s moods?
    a. His boss
    b. His assistant
    c. Emma, the new team member
    d. A coworker in another department

  3. Why did Adrian go to the forest every evening?
    a. To exercise
    b. To escape from the demands of his busy life
    c. To meet with friends
    d. To explore wildlife

  4. How did Adrian feel when Emma began avoiding him?
    a. Relieved
    b. Indifferent
    c. Bothered, though he didn’t understand why
    d. Annoyed

  5. What surprised Adrian when Emma approached him after work?
    a. She apologized for their argument.
    b. She asked to join him in the forest.
    c. She told him she wanted to quit her job.
    d. She confronted him about his temper.

  6. What did Emma say about the forest when they visited it together?
    a. It felt spooky at night.
    b. It was beautiful and peaceful.
    c. It was too dark and quiet for her.
    d. It didn’t help her relax.

  7. What did Adrian admit to Emma during their time in the forest?
    a. He was thinking about leaving his job.
    b. He appreciated her hard work and regretted his behavior.
    c. He didn’t find the forest as calming as before.
    d. He was unsure if he could change his attitude.

  8. What did Adrian realize about his time in the forest?
    a. It was just a temporary escape from his problems.
    b. It was a place to learn how to approach life with kindness and grace.
    c. It made him more productive at work.
    d. It didn’t help him as much as it used to.

  9. How did Adrian’s behavior at work change after his conversation with Emma?
    a. He worked harder to avoid making mistakes.
    b. He slowed down and greeted people warmly.
    c. He stopped taking on challenging projects.
    d. He ignored Emma to avoid further conflict.

  10. What lesson did Adrian learn by the end of the story?
    a. Solitude is the best way to solve personal problems.
    b. Kindness and reflection can improve both work and personal relationships.
    c. It’s important to focus only on your own needs.
    d. Success at work depends on avoiding emotional connections.

Answers: Multiple-Choice Questions

  1. b - He was short-tempered and impatient.

  2. c - Emma, the new team member

  3. b - To escape from the demands of his busy life

  4. c - Bothered, though he didn’t understand why

  5. b - She asked to join him in the forest.

  6. b - It was beautiful and peaceful.

  7. b - He appreciated her hard work and regretted his behavior.

  8. b - It was a place to learn how to approach life with kindness and grace.

  9. b - He slowed down and greeted people warmly.

  10. b - Kindness and reflection can improve both work and personal relationships.

 

Thought Provoking Questions

  • Do you think Adrian’s apology to Emma was enough to make up for his earlier behavior?

  • Why or why not?