Object of Inspiration

Object of Inspiration: Small tree branch

            “Long ago before the time of men, lived creatures of great power.  They roamed the land, and sea looking for the one they were destined for. For many of the creatures finding their loved ones was hard. They faced many challenges and sometimes they wouldn’t make it though alive. Out in the east, there lived a gentle beast, one of the sky, who loved to garden. He was known as Taro the kind, for he was never mean to anyone even if they were mean to him. Taro spent many an hour in his garden, tending to the plants or grooming the rose bushes. One day, after Taro’s 112^th summer, the mighty lord of the east, flew down from the sky to speak with Taro. The grand bird, told Taro that if he didn’t go find his destined one soon…” A slight sigh, the Man speaking closed his eyes as if asleep. “Daddy! You can’t stop there! What happened to Taro?”  A little girl in light blue pajamas complained her golden blonde hair bouncing as she shook the elder man. The man smiled and nodded, tucking her back into bed. “Okay Addy, but you need to be going to sleep.” Adriella nodded, hugging her stuffed wolf close. “The great bird lord spoke to Taro and told him that if he didn’t find his destined one soon, then there would be great consequences for both of you. Taro knew he couldn’t disobey the almighty beast, but he didn’t want to leave his garden. So he decided to hire someone to go find his destined one. Looking all around the eastern world, Taro finally found someone. He was the first fox, and a very tricky fellow. ‘Nex!’ Taro called, catching the fox’s attention. ‘I have something to ask of you.’ Intrigued, Nex sauntered over to the gentle beast. ‘What...is it you ask of me?’ Nex asked, crafty eyes narrowing and analyzing the situation presented to him. Taro didn’t know the gossip of the east, so he did not know about the Great Fox and his trickery. ‘I wish for someone to find my destined one.’ He spoke, straightening his posture. A gleam entered the mischievous fox’s eyes and he flicked his tail around before grinning. ‘And you wish for me to find her, yes? How very… interesting. I have heard what the Grand Bird told to you, Taro the gentle bird. Why do you wish to disobey?’ Nex questioned, with a tilt of his head. Taro seemed stunned by this and faltered a little before clearing his throat. ‘I have no wish to leave my garden. The Mighty bird will understand.’ The smaller bird said before holding out a bag of gold. ‘I shall pay you for your services. That is, if you do not fail me.’ Nex looked at the bag before back at Taro’s face then held out one hand. ‘We have a deal then, Taro.’ The fox practically purred the others name, grinning more when Taro shook his head. ‘Be back by Midnight of the third day.’ Taro spoke after putting the gold away. ‘That is how much Time I have left.’ Nex nodded before slinking off into to the shadows. Taro watched until he couldn’t see the fox anymore then turned and went home. A whole day passed and Taro didn’t hear any word of the crafty fox or of his destined one, but he did not worry, for he knew he had two more days. As the end of day two rolled around, Taro started to worry and was often found pacing his garden. Slowly the third day came to its end. Thirty minutes until midnight, Taro prayed to the Mighty bird, asking for more time.  ‘Taro, you are a gentle bird, and a good one. But you did not listen when I spoke to you. You have lost your destined one to the crafty fox, and now you are alone.’ The Lord spoke, appearing in the sky above Taro. ‘Please, Just one more day!’ The lord shook his head, looking down at the smaller bird sadly. ‘One cannot change who their destined is. And you have lost yours.’ Taro cried, he didn’t mean to disobey but he loved his garden. ‘The other lords and I have decided, because of your love for your garden. You shall become one with it.’ This caused the smaller bird to blink. ‘Be… Become one with my garden? You mean I can’t live anymore.’ He asked, but the lord didn’t answer. Raising a hand, Taro was engulfed in a bright light, his body slowly changing. When the light vanished, in Taro’s place was a small tree with a bell around one of its branches and the mighty bird was gone.” The father finished speaking, smiling at his sleepy daughter. “Go to sleep, little one.”  Abriella cuddled into her blankets. “I feel bad for Taro, daddy…” She whispered. The man nodded, and kissed her forehead. “Yes, I know. Goodnight.”  He spoke while walking to the door. “Night daddy, I love you…” The little girl said softly as she drifted asleep. “Love you too…” The father replied, flipping on the girl’s night light then leaving the room to go to bed himself.