The Boy and The Tree

There once was a young boy whos’ imagination was so astonishing that even he would eventually believe it was real. His family was poor and thus he wasn’t able to experience life in the ways the youth of today does. No bike to ride no toys to play with, no siblings to to share his imagination with, nothing. All this young boy had was a mother, a father, a roof over his head and a small black notbook. His father worked for what seemed like forever so the boy rarely ever seen him. As for his mother, she worked diligently to preserve the home and make sure the boy was clean and had eaten his 3 meals. Since, his mother and father had little money for anything else other then food, water, and the other bills which came with the house. The boy was never given a proper childhood, but the boy understood this and at such a young age he developed his imagination so bright and wonderful that he could escape into another world. A world of his choosing, could do anything, go anywhere, and have anything he imagined! This small black notebook that was empty had began to fill, day after day and page after page a new adventure was captured in his small black notebook. Soon hundreds of pages were full. Cover to Cover the boy had created a new life full of magic and whenever he wanted an escape from his real world all he had to do was open the small black notebook to one of the number of pages, close his eyes and use his imagination to disappear into the world he most enjoyed.

The boy’s home was built surrounded by lush vegetation and beautiful-tall trees. Most people know this as the woods. Nothing but wild life, plants, and nature inhabit the area. He could walk just a few yards and be engulfed by a beautiful and quiet place where nature ruled.

One day walking into these woods, which he had gone into endless amounts of times through his mind’s eye he came across a pile of junk.

“What is this mess and how did this get here in the middle of these woods?”, the boy said out loud as if someone was there listening. Not a minute later a loud echoing rumble filled the air as his question had been answered.

A deep voice that seemed to have come in every direction, “A MAN USED TO COME HERE LONG AGO AND STASH HIS PERSONAL ITEMS HERE WHERE NOBODY WOULD KNOW!”.

the boy quickly fell to the ground in a startling fashion, he began to crawl behind the trees in order to be hidden. Taking a breath and swallowing his spit the boy calls out; “Who is that?”.

“Well it is us from where you hide behind.”

looking up at the trees he sees the leafs brush in the wind,

the boy mumbles, “the...the...the trees? You...you... you can talk?”

“HA..HA..HA! well of course We can, you made me from that beautiful imagination you have young man, now why dont you go have a look in that duffel bag over there, the man from years past wont be coming back for it.”

The boy crept from behind the tree and softly tip toed over to the duffel bag, cautiously grabbing at the zipper trembling as every notch of the zipper was hit, as it felt like it hours to open the bag it was finally open.

“Money, the bag is full of money but how did you know?.”

“Hush young man, dont ask any more questions. Take that bag of money and make something of yourself, only return once you’ve thought you have and with you bring me something in return.”

With tears in his eyes and a heart full of warmth the young boy swung the bag over his shoulder and returned to his home.

Twenty years have gone by now and many seasons with it, the young boy had returned to the forest.

“Young man is that you i see? You’ve grown up from the looks of it.”

“yes it is me, I am back Mr. tree”

“Ahh I see you still have that wonderful imagination with you too. I was beginning to wonder when you’d be back, but I always had a feeling that you’d come see me again. I see you brought something with you as well, and what might that be young man?”

“With the money you gave I was able to put myself through college and get a degree, “I got a masters in agriculture and to repay you for changing my life I have decided to build a farm here on this land that used to belong to my parents, I have also brought many trees and plants here to keep you company for the rest of your long years. Since I cannot live forever the memory of me will always be here along with these beautiful trees, I also leave you with my small black notebook full of everything I have ever imagined. If one day comes when another imaginative young kid finds his way here like I did, give this to him. “I cant thank you enough for what you've done for me and my family”. The Young man humbly said to the Tree.

So With the $20,000 dollars the imaginative young boy turned the money into a masters degree and in return turned the forest into much bigger than just a forest.

The memory of the boy will always be with the forest and for any one with an imagination great enough to believe in it shall inherit not only the secret of the little black notebook but the power to turn ones dream into reality.

Written by Sean W.