The old oak tree stood alone in the forest, its gnarled branches reaching up to the sky like twisted fingers. But this was no ordinary tree. Its trunk was shaped like a human figure, as if an invisible sculptor had carved it with loving detail.

The tree’s “head” was a rounded knot that resembled a skull. Thick branches extended from it like a mane of hair. The trunk narrowed into “shoulders” and then widened again into a barrel-shaped “chest”. Narrower branches formed the shape of arms that seemed to be reaching out.

At the base of the tree, the roots had spread and twisted to form a skirt-like shape, as if the tree was wearing a dress. Some of the roots had even curled up at the ends, resembling feet.

The villagers who lived nearby knew about the strange shaped tree, but none had ever gotten a clear glimpse of it up close. They said it had been there as long as anyone could remember, silently guarding the forest with its mysterious human form.

Some believed the tree was magical, that it was actually an ancient spirit in the form of a tree. Others thought it was just a bizarre natural formation that over the years had developed a somewhat human shape.

No one knew the true nature of the strange shaped tree. It remained a curious wonder, its story lost to the passage of time. But its shape would continue to intrigue all those who stumbled upon it, as if it was keeping a secret that none could unlock.