The rain swept in, a gentle patter on the window as the droplets fell soft and sound on the glass. A slight mist moved in at the edge of the path, blocking the view of the village down the road. Clouds block off the sky, giving way to a peaceful, dim, and soft atmosphere. Quiet and gentle, the breeze shuffles through the cherry blossom trees as it moves south over the mountains. A small pathway behind the village leads to a single house, a gentle stream behind the house with a trail of roses lining the flowing water as if gently hugging the ever-flowing tides. A group of deer rest on the edge of the forest, asleep or grazing as the eldest keeps alert. Birds fly in pairs through the downpour, beating their powerful wings as they dance in the sky, relying on each other to live, respecting each other like the ground and sky. A single feather drifts down to the door of the house where a little girl with brown hair sits, humming and giggling under the porch. Her hair is lightly soaked by the rain as she catches the feather to take in, barefoot and in summer clothing. Inside rests a small table beside a warm, gentle burning fireplace with a decorated oak mantle, the table covered in paintings and small rocks gathered from the stream. Beyond the kitchen, clean and cozy, lies the main room, the stone oven on low with a small kettle of tea warming above the flames. A young hound dog sleeping beside the stove, his fur brown with a few bold black spots on his shoulders. Between his legs, a group of kittens cuddled, the rain a lullaby for them. Entering the smallest room the girl sets the feather above her sister's bed on a mantle before going to the fireplace to warm up. The thundering storm rumbles on through the day and most of the night, soft rains and gentle hums continue for hours, soothing the people and easing their minds as they rest soundly. A wolf rests silently in her cave as she watches the rain, snuggled against her mate as her pups play around with each other, happy and content. Overlooking the plains and forest, a castle further up the path from the village sits silent as well, the king and queen retiring to bed early, sleeping with their young princess after a generous meal. Noble guards rest in roofed awnings and outposts, sitting as they watch the storm push on. Many castle workers, weary and tired, watch in awe as the gentle rain nurtures the crops and heals the land.
Off to the east, the soft tides of ever-crisp winds sweep silently into the great kingdoms of the elder monks. Great nobles and the generals join in the ceremony to welcome rain, the night winds dancing in harmony with the party. Rice and cane farmers fall silent with expressive thanks for the cool breeze and free water, generous and bountiful in nature. The wise king, no longer in his meditations, watches as the rain sweeps into his lands, taking no actions to distract him from the gift sent from nature. Deep in the mountains of his personal property, the king's ponds spring to life with koi fish and lightning bugs, dancing in and on the water with the rain. At the center of the lake on a small island lay a pond with a single fish, the white koi, old and large. The great koi's forehead held a single birthmark in the shape of a blooming lotus which had begun to glow in the storm's approach. Mystical and enchanting, the kingdom was full of festive lights and dancing, outlined by crops and gentle rhythm-induced hums of thunder. Rocky, grey, mountainous terrain known to be serene had begun to sparkle like a diamond in the Moonlight. Such signs, as read by the wise king allowed him to understand the true treasures of life are won by no war, many who fight for values need not focus on what others have but instead on what nature supplies them, for nature, who is ever present, is the greatest gift of all.
