Rainbow Friends (Everyday stories)

5. I can see! (part 4)

The festival was really big. There was a stage where different bands performed songs and showed performances, a café with traditional food, and fires where couples who wanted to get married and boys and girls who wanted to find a loved one jumped over. They played traditional instruments. But the main event had not yet begun. Leo and Yellow stayed at the festival until the sun went down, and as soon as it was just a few minutes before it was completely dark, they packed up their things, took their lanterns and walked towards the forest. A few guys also went with him, but they were just having fun. The clock showed 01:00. The other boys returned to the festival, where the music was still playing. Obviously, it was going to last all night. Leo and Yellow were left alone.
Leo: And now it's our time. Remember that riddle Red told you?

Yellow: Why do you seek the fern's bloom, In the thicket of thoughts, in gloom? Its seeds, like heritage's trace, Planted deep in the heart's embrace. The beast will come, jaws agape, Protect the bloom, don't let it escape. Treasure it well, in your care, For it will wither in hands unaware.

Leo: That's a good memory. Now we just need to figure out what these words mean.

Yellow: The first two lines ask us why we are looking for this flower. If it is in the heart. How do you explain that?

Leo: Perhaps it means that this flower is a kind of real treasure that is hidden in the heart?

Yellow: Well, how does that help us?

Leo: I don't know, I'll have to think about it.

He started pacing back and forth like a professor. Yellow watched him.

Leo: I can't think of any ideas.

Yellow: Maybe we should keep walking. We'll find something or remember something...

Leo: Come on, then.

They went on and after about 10 minutes they saw a cave.

Yellow: I wonder what's inside?

Leo: We're about to find out.

It was small, but there were a lot of drawings inside the cave. It was clear that they were several hundred years old.

Leo: Wow, there are so many of them here. All of them depict the life of people a long time ago. For example, workers on the field.

Yellow: And here are the musicians.

Leo: Oh, and there's a hunting scene.

Yellow: And there's... what? A fern flower?

Leo: WHERE?

He pointed to a picture of several people looking for something, but one person was thinking about something and holding a flower.

Leo: So, we don't have to look for...

Yellow: Do you remember who your ancestor was?

Leo: To be honest, not really. But now I might remember.

He recalled fragments of his life where he was looking for his family tree. And there was one of his ancestors, a glorious fighter. He knew how to do everything, both farm and fight. The more he remembered this, the brighter it became. He found himself in a place where he could see nothing but light.

???: How are you, my descendant?

Leo turned around and saw a man who looked quite formidable, but had a sincere smile. But his appearance did not frighten him.

Leo: So... you are my ancestor?

Ancestor: Yes, I am. And I see that you have come here for a valuable treasure.

Leo: Yes, I have come for a fern flower for my friend who is blind.

Ancestor: A noble act. Everyone in our family is like that. I am proud of that.

Leo: Well, thank you. It's nice to hear that.

Ancestor: You'll get a flower.

Leo: I hope we can cure Green.

Ancestor: Just remember one thing. Don't give it to anyone. Not for any treasure. Even if they offer a cure. Everything will disappear as soon as you give the flower away. Temptations will be strong, but do not give in.

Leo: Okay, I'll remember that.

Ancestor: Okay, have a good trip.

Leo: Thank you.

Everything is back to normal again. Only someone was shaking it.

Yellow: LEO! LEO!

Leo: Huh, what's wrong?

Yellow: You're shaking, and you're turning white as a sheet. Are you okay?

Leo: Yeah, I think so.

He looked at himself. His body was still shaking. Everything was shaking except his hands. They were holding a flower. The most beautiful flower that shone...

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Phew, there's only 1 more chapter to go on "I can see!" And then I'll move on to something else. I think it will be longer than this one. In the meantime, have a nice day (in my case, night again(how long will it last?😅))