A little boy manages to endure six days alone in the wilderness, all due to the questionable choices made by his parents.
Reflecting on my childhood, I realize that physical discipline wasn’t as contentious back then as it is today. For my parents, corporal punishment was quite typical, and I can only imagine what my grandparents experienced. Times have changed, yet even my great-grandparents would likely find this story shocking.
In Japan, a young boy was taken from his family’s vehicle during a road trip, left abandoned at the edge of a forest, and expected to fend for himself. For six whole days! While the parents didn’t mean to leave him there that long, the details of their misguided attempt to teach him a lesson are chilling. When they returned, he was nowhere to be found.
According to reports from The Guardian, seven-year-old Kenji Sato was fortuitously discovered by military personnel after spending six nights in what the article casually describes as “bear-inhabited” territory. At seven years old, nothing about a bear-infested forest feels casual! This happened on Hokkaido, the northernmost island in Japan. Something about the isolated island adds a layer of danger to the whole scenario.
The doctor who examined the boy commented on his surprising calmness after such a harrowing experience. “He seemed incredibly composed, considering he had been missing for seven days. He didn’t show any signs of panic.” What’s the reason for his calm demeanor? Perhaps he was plotting his parents’ downfall. This is precisely how supervillains (or heroes) are created!
Surviving such a terrifying ordeal must have instilled a remarkable sense of confidence in young Kenji. With the knowledge that he can survive on his own in a bear-infested forest, he’s likely to grow into a strong, capable individual. Who knows? He might even become a masked avenger embodying the spirit of a bear, safeguarding the citizens of Hokkaido from wrongdoers and reckless parents.
One day, when they least expect it—perhaps during a routine drive home after visiting relatives—he could return the favor by dropping his own parents into those same woods and seeing how well they manage. I have a feeling they wouldn’t make it very long.
In reality, they kind of deserve it, don’t you think? They abandoned a small child in the woods without food or water because he was “misbehaving” in the car. He’s only seven! I’ve never been in a car with a child who didn’t misbehave at some point. While I doubt they intended to leave him there for days—unless they spent their time at the movies or sleeping in—any amount of time alone in a bear-infested wilderness is far too long, even for a mini Bear Grylls.
The father expressed regret, saying, “The first thing I told him was that I was really sorry.” To which young Kenji nodded as if he understood. But let’s be honest—no one really comprehends how a parent could make such a decision, especially not a seven-year-old.
This article first appeared on June 4, 2016.
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Summary
A young boy named Kenji Sato survived six days alone in a forest after his parents left him there as a punishment. His calm demeanor upon rescue raises questions about parental choices and the potential consequences of their actions. Despite the harrowing experience, Kenji’s resilience suggests he will grow into a strong individual, possibly even taking revenge on his parents one day.