The Cry Of A Tree

How the Tree Came to Be

“The tree grew a foot every month after it was planted, on the 5th month; it was as tall as the woman who planted it. When the 6th month rolled around she wanted to know what was making the tree grow so fast. She couldn’t figure it out until she found me in the water. After she took me out for another 6 months, the tree grew normally and the pond stopped growing. When she realized I was the reason for how fast the tree was growing, and how big the pond was growing. She put me back in the water. I sat there in the water for 20 years.

After those long years the woman came back, but she came with other people. The woman with the long dark brown hair had her hair in a neat ponytail that was held by a dark blue ribbon, she had on a dress that was the same color as the ribbon. Next to her was a young girl who also had brown hair; her hair was a bit lighter than the woman’s, and it was two pigtails that were braided and held by a purple ribbon. Next to the child was a man with blond hair with a green and white outfit. The woman pulled me out of the water to show the other two.

‘This is the necklace I was telling you and your father about. Once this tree grows as tall as that mountain,’ she pointed to the mountain on the opposite side of the tree. ‘This necklace can be removed from the water and be used as a normal necklace.’ She looked down and smiled at the child.

‘Okay, but what happens if it doesn’t reach that height while I’m alive?’ The little girl tilted her head.

‘Then tell your children, and if you don’t have any, adopt one from the orphanage and tell them about it. Tell them this as well.’ She patted the girl's head, grabbed her hand, and walked away.

Several years later the girl visited me, that time she was a grown woman. She looked the same except her hair now had gray streaks, but alongside her was a small boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. The woman told him exactly what her mother had told her.

‘Miss Auden, why are you telling me this?’ He barely squeaked out the question, and looked up at her with a confused expression.

‘I’m telling you this because I need someone to pass down this knowledge. Promise me you’ll tell this to your kin, whether it is out of your blood or not.’ She pulled me out to show him.

‘Woah, such a pretty necklace. I wish I didn’t have to wait for the tree to grow.’ He grabbed me and put me around his neck. As soon as he put me on the tree stopped growing. The woman immediately snatched me off and put me back in the water.

‘If you want the tree to grow faster, leave it here in the water.’ She grabbed his hand and walked away. As time went on, the tradition of showing me to their children continued on until the day came when I was pulled out of the water.” It paused for a moment. During the quiet, Sophia spoke.

“This story is taking too long; it’s already night, and that idiot,” She pointed to her brother, who was sleeping on a rock with a drool coming out of his mouth. “Has fallen asleep. I am also tired, but I didn’t want to be rude and interrupt you during your story. You can continue to tell it to us while we travel tomorrow.” She yawned and put the necklace around her neck. She put out the fire, put away the rest of the food, laid down and went to sleep.