Goblins in trees, I’ve been seeing them for years… I once did a pastel picture of some beautiful lumpy trees in Epping Forest, and then did another adding in the goblin faces! I sold them both! And I discovered I had kept photos of them, so if I find them I’ll put them at the end.
So I was delighted to get some lovely ancient trees for Crispina Kemp‘s weekly Crimson’s Creative Challenge. Just 150 words. And this week, I made it!..
CCC035: The Goblins’ Tree Party
The Epping Forest goblins hitched a ride to the East Wood Chapter’s 350th birthday party. Their driver dropped them at Costessey, close by the wood.
After adding their barrel of acorn mead to the drinks bank, they mingled with the revellers.
“How did you get here so quickly?” Most had taken at least two days.
“Regular route. Comes of hobnobbing with the locals. Some of them even see us in the tree trunks. Do you have that problem?”
“No, nobody ever sees us, especially when we’re lazing around, all in a heap, like.”
“Well, it helps when you need transport.”
Just then some walkers came past. “Freeze!”
The walkers never saw the hundred goblins, just the lumpy shapes of the tree roots.
“Okay everyone, on with the party.”
When you next hear the rustle of leaves in a wood, look more carefully. It”s most likely a goblin tree party.
© J M Pett 2025
Oh gosh, one of those faces in your drawing looks like my late ex-lover, and he grew up close to Epping Forest. Spooky!!!! I’d often thought he might be an elf, but never considered that he could be a goblin
ROFL!!
I love this! So whimsical. I definitely believe in tree spirits
Cool! I love the pictures. Though ever since the time a friend and I spooked ourselves on a hike (through a burn area, which we started joking was the witch’s land…) I’ve been a bit cautious about seeking or seeing such creatures!
Yes, you do have to be careful when you’ve identified possible witch country 😀
The drawings really added to the whole experience of your story! What a pleasure it was to stop by.