Forest Encounter

Odett Tajti


He grabbed his jacket and left the silent house. It was early in the morning, the grass was wet  and the temperature was near zero. Tom opened the car door and let the aging dog, Rosy, jump into the backseat of the blue wrecked/damaged car, and they took off. During the drive Rosy was sleeping calmly and the radio was playing some old songs quietly. Tom was watching the beautiful Sun rise, which covered the sky with pale yellow, blue and warm rose gold colours.

The car stopped on a dirt road next to a wet field, which led to a big thick forest. Tom put the leash on the dog, and they started going towards the trees. They finally got into the forest, but by that time Tom’s boots were completely soppy. The boy and the doggy started walking. Tom had wanted to come here, because he was so tired and wanted to get away from the city and people for a while. They were walking slowly because the ground was pretty slippery. Some moments later they stopped because they heard a loud noise. They both got scared. Tom took a step closer to a  massive tree. Suddenly  there was a giant whoop. Rosy barked and she somehow ran away. Tom tried to reach her but he couldn’t. He began walking in the direction where the dog had gone. He was shouting her name, hoping that she would come back. After a while he stopped and closed his eyes to think about his situation. Then he heard a bark. He opened his eyes but  didn’t see anything. He turned  around and saw an old man. The man was short and was wearing dark green plastic boots and a strange red hat.

“Who are you?” asked the man in a mysterious, but friendly tone.

“My name is Tom,” answered the boy in hesitation

“Good. I am Trout Fishing In America. And what are you doing here kid?”

“My dog ran away and I’m looking for her.”

“Oh I see. May I help you…” The old Man looked around and started thinking.

“Hmm.. Where should we start? Where?”

“Follow me!”

The old Man started going straight into the middle of the forest, and Tom followed him.

After about twenty minutes of walking, they reached a glade, and there was a little stream. In the water the boy saw big dark rocks and some fish, which were trout. While he was looking around, he suddenly saw Rosy, who was playfully attacking the trout. The dog looked happy and energetic and she seemed much younger than an hour before. The boy was so glad that he had found Rosy. He turned towards the old Man to say thanks to him, but somehow Trout Fishing In America had disappeared.


Note from the editor: This is one of twelve pieces in the Spring 2022 issue of Folyosó that play with the concept of Richard Brautigan’s Trout Fishing in America.