This is a reflective collection of inspirational short stories taken from the life of a boy growing to manhood. In his advancing years, he realizes that in the most challenging and difficult periods in his life, he found answers he needed to cope from the lessons taught "in the woods." Healing and comfort comes from the most simple and basic elements placed before us every day. We just need to understand how to translate its meaning. The lessons of the forest, fields, mountains and streams provide simple answers to every circumstance we may face in life no matter how difficult they may be. The difficulty in understanding these messages is in the interpretation of the language. I am not clairvoyant to this process. I cannot hear voices from any of these elements but I can sense their purpose, meaning, goal and direction. It is a subtle and silent gesture of will that drives them forward. The interactions between them are on display for all mankind to see and to learn. It is through the following life's experiences that I hope to give you some insight into how the elements of the earth, of which we are made, give us direction, hope and meaning. Hopefully, as you turn the last page, you will understand better my supposition that: Everything you need to know about life you can learn in the woods.