Trees are on My Mind

A flash fiction piece inspired by Earth Day and forest guardians

Today, I’m sharing with you some flash cli-fi I wrote this morning as part of the Macabre Monday prompt. This short fiction is inspired very, very loosely by the Hākuturi from Māori mythology. Earth Day is almost here (tomorrow) so I’ve been researching protectors of nature for the next few Monster of the Week entries. The Hākuturi is one of the guardian spirits I came across in that research.

The Hākuturi are forest guardians or faeries from New Zealand. They can take on the appearance of birds or insects. They are said to be the offspring of Tāne-mahuta, Māori god of the forest. These faeries protect the forest, specifically trees. You must have their permission or show them proper respect before cutting down a tree.

The most famous story involving the Hākuturi is about Rātā (a hero character) trying to avenge and bury his father who had been murdered by an ogre. He needs a canoe to retrieve his father’s bones. So, he cuts down a tree but forgets to say the proper incantations. So, ea…