I continue on the golden path from before, forcing myself to move my exhausted legs. As soon as the path started going uphill, I groan in despair. UGH. I walk up the hill, desperate to get to the top. Maybe that’s where the olive tree would be?

I reach a river that looked like it had been carved into the gigantic hill all the way around. It reminded me of one of those ditches that surrounded castles in movies to ensure that there was only one way in. Almost a second later, I notice a yellow bridge that stretched from one side of the river to the other. Well, that was obviously for me to cross.

I stride up to the bridge, taking in the sight of the intricate carvings of flowers that had been etched into the railing. I slowly walk across, looking over the side to the rapidly flowing river before, seeing tiny little guppies dash through the water, reminding me of Rainbow.

Suddenly, I hear a rustling sound nearby. Rustle, rustle. I clench my fists, continuing to make my way across the bridge. I wouldn’t let such a stupid little sound like that stop me. It was probably just the wind.

The next couple of events happened in a blur. I step on a thin, unnoticeable rope that had been tied from one railing of the bridge to the other. Next second, I’m suspended mid air by the rope, my arms dangling beneath me, my bright blue eyes shining with fear. Who had done this? Who had created this trap? Was it for anyone specific? Or did it target one particular person?

“You may not crossss,” A voice hissed beneath me. I look down, only for my eyes to meet a giant serpent. It slithered around on the bridge, its glossy green and black scales seemingly rippling in the sunlight.

A gear clicked into place in my mind. Another did the same. Then another. Then another.

It took a while to process, but this snake was a green anaconda. One of the—if not THE—biggest snake species in the world.

The shock of this discovery made me tremble all over. I almost forgot to wonder about why every single animal I had met in this forest could talk. But that wasn’t important right now. What did this monster want with me?

I clench my fists and close my eyes, willing myself not to visualise a giant snake wrapping around my whole body. I didn’t have lungs, but this snake could still destroy me. From its current demeanour, that seemed its goal. And I couldn’t let that happen.

“Let me go,” I demand, giving the snake my best death stare. It coiled, its forked tongue flicking in and out of its mouth. On a nicer note, I add “please.”

“Passssss,” it hissed, showing off its gleaming fangs. “You can passsss after sssssolving a riddle.” It flicked its tongue in and out again.

I blink, unsure of what to do. Yes, I was a robot, and that meant that I was designed to be intelligent, but was I really capable of solving a riddle? It would probably be extremely difficult. What if I got it wrong? On the other hand… It was my only way out of this mess. Then I could continue on my quest to find the old olive tree.

“I… I’ll do it,” I mumble back. “Just let me down after.”

The snake didn’t say anything, slithering towards the railing. It went up and around, twining its long body like a vine. It closed its green eyes, then stayed still for a moment.

I wait for something to happen. Silence. More silence. Until the snake spoke in a deep, low, quiet voice unlike its own:

Something bad, then something good,
Creates a spectacle that lifts your mood,
They may come, and they may go,
But they stay in your heart forever so,
Apples, lemons, blueberries, cherries,
A day becomes great from slightly scary,
A trick of the light, raindrops fall,
Go to the other side to find a pot of gold.

“Rainbows!” I immediately call out. The answer was so obvious. Why had I thought that it would be so hard? “Rain falls, and sunshine shines, and rainbows are colourful which explains the fruits, they lift your mood, and the light reflecting, and the myth—it all makes so much sense!” I squeal, my metallic heart pounding. There was no answer other than rainbows. I had 100% gotten this right!

The snake squinted its eyes at me. Its tongue flickered once. Then twice. Then three times. Finally, it answered “correct.”

The ropes that bound my legs together snap, and I crash onto the floor face-first. I hastily got up, brushing myself off and wincing at the dents that covered my torso. But hey, I was still alive—as alive as a robot could be, anyway. I was still working. I wasn’t malfunctioning. I was completely FINE! I had gotten past whatever doom the snake had been planning for me.

“Wait,” the snake whispered as I started walking across the bridge once more.

I pause, my foot midstep, confusion etched upon my face. “Why?...” I ask, blinking.

The snake shook its head. “You musssst not go on.”

I clench my jaw and narrow my eyes at the snake. I was done being shoved around.

“Why not?” I yell back.

The snake coiled, rising up, and up, and up. It seemed to tower above me. It shook its head again. “You mussssst not continue. Here’sssss another riddle.”

“That wasn’t a part of the deal!” I cry, outraged. “You said that I would have to solve a riddle, and if I answered correctly, I could pass!”

“Indeed, I did,” the snake hissed. “But I never ssssaid that I wouldn’t put up a fight. Creaturesssss like you don’t belong here. You musssst leave immediately… or I will make you.”

There was the word “belong” again. The whole reason I had risked everything to go on this quest for the old olive tree… or the wishing tree as I should start calling it now. I wanted a place to belong. I needed it. And I would find it, no matter what cost me.

I was so deep in thought that I didn’t notice when the snake struck at me, opening its jaw wide open, showing off its fangs. I dodged out of time just in time, my senses kicking in. I watched as the snake plummeted behind me into the river below the bridge, and let out a breath of relief as I watched it being dragged away in the current.

I take a moment to process everything that had just happened in the last 5 minutes while keeping an eye on my surroundings. After all, danger could be lurking around any corner. I hope to myself that nothing crazy would happen for the rest of my journey as I reach the other side of the bridge, and continue to hike uphill.