The Road of Three Kilometers

Every early morning, before the sun fully rose, the little boy packed his small lunch box and stepped out of his house with his elder sister. The air was cool, and the village was still half asleep.

They began their three-kilometer walk to school.

As they walked, he shared stories from class with his sister — about lessons, teachers, and funny moments with friends. She listened patiently, smiling at his excitement.

Along the way, a few village children would join them. Soon, they were walking together as a small group. Their laughter filled the quiet road, making the journey feel shorter.

But there was one part of the path that always changed the mood.

A long stretch of tall, ancient trees stood on both sides of the road. Their branches were thick and twisted, forming a dark tunnel even in the morning light. The forest-like area looked mysterious and frightening.

The sounds of birds echoed loudly. Sometimes the wind moved through the leaves, creating strange whispers. Every small sound felt bigger than it really was.

The road there was badly damaged. Stones were scattered everywhere. No vehicles passed during the early morning or evening. No one dared to walk alone on that road at any time of the day.

Many scary stories were told about those long trees.

Villagers said strange things had happened there in the past. Some spoke about shadows moving at night. Others talked about voices heard in the darkness.

One day, the boy gathered his courage and asked his elder sister,
“What really happened on this road before?”

She immediately stopped him.
“Don’t ask such questions,” she said seriously. “It is dangerous. If I tell you those stories, you won’t be able to sleep at night.”

Her voice made him even more curious.

As they walked through the shadow of those giant trees, the boy felt both fear and excitement. To him, this three-kilometer road was not just a path to school — it was like living inside a scary story every day.

But deep inside, he told himself,
“One day, when I grow up, I will know the truth about these stories. I will not be afraid.”

The road frightened him.
The trees scared him.
The silence tested him.

Yet every single day, he walked through it.

Because sometimes, courage begins on the scariest roads.