Summary of the Story "The Treasure in the Forest"
Full Summary
The story "The Treasure in the Forest" by H.G. Wells is about two treasure hunters, Evans and Hooker, who embark on a suspenseful voyage to find hidden treasures on a coral island using a rough and unclear map they obtained by robbing and murdering a Chinese man named Chang-hi. The map includes symbols such as twisting river lines and a dotted straight line leading from a reef to a lagoon marked by a blue star. Evans and Hooker interpret these markings as directions to the treasure location but initially disregard the dotted line's significance.
During their journey, Evans grows exhausted and dreams about three Chinese men discussing the Spanish treasure left by a shipwrecked galleon nearly 200 years ago. The treasure was secretly buried by Chang-hi, who later threatened Evans. In reality, after reaching the island, they discover the dead body of another Chinese man near a dug hole containing gold ingots.
As Evans tries to carry the heavy gold back to their canoe, he suddenly falls ill from a thorn prick he had encountered. Hooker also gets pricked by a thorn and realizes that the treasure was protected by poison thorns, explaining Chang-hi's sinister grin when they murdered him. Evans succumbs to the poison, leaving the treasure hunters to face the deadly consequences of their greed and crime. This mysterious and suspenseful story reveals how their ill-gotten gain becomes their downfall.
This story shows that greed is a person’s greatest enemy and reveals how money and wealth can expose human weaknesses. Greed ultimately leads to destruction and ruin. It teaches us the importance of carefully thinking and understanding every detail before making decisions. Without such caution and preparation, the results can be disastrous, just as they were for Evans and Hooker. The story also reminds us to be fully prepared before undertaking any risky journey or task.