Esmerelda Pearheart

Welcome to Pear Tree Boulevard. Where sweet fragrances bounce with the wind, amongst the different trees and flowering buds. Beautiful and exquisite in its own way. Hundreds, in fact, thousands of Pears reside within Pear Tree Boulevard. It would be considered the New York City of the Pear Community. The Main Lane connects to City of Baskets which is the posh high-end shopping mall, plus town, where Pears can socialize with other fruit from various orchards and vineyards. In fact, Dragon Town is the neighboring field to Pear Tree Boulevard. Dragon Town is known for the exotic dragon fruit who are all about performance and the arts, namely known by the Great Dragina. She is the Superstar Model of Dragon Town. Her image captivates the heart of her town, the other dragon fruits and other fruit types who many wish to be as wonderful as Dragina. But wait, let’s roll back a moment as this story is swept up in Pear Tree Boulevard with three sisters, Veridian, Jade, and mainly Esmerelda Pearheart.

The Sisters grew up together from when they were only youngens perched nearby on the same Branch Lane close to the Main Lane. Given their Branch location, this automated their life structure to be of a higher more meaningful status. Much devastation could result in Pear Tree Boulevard, yet it wouldn’t affect the bond these sisters shared. As time passed Veridian and Jade realized their place within Pear Tree Boulevard and ensured this by keeping to the system rules. Esmerelda was considered the naughty sister for her ways did not fit with the upkeep of the town. Constantly she was reprimanded, in school time, outside of school, even in the working field. She was considered too dreamy and floaty by the Pear Community. Some even stated she had a mind of her own, which Esmerelda would take on board as a compliment, much to the horror of the authoritarian figures stating it. Never did it phase her. Esmerelda knew she was different; she allowed her confidence and uniqueness to shine through the Branch Lanes and into the beyond. On her trips to City of Baskets she would often hear the side remarks of other Pears, saying things like,

“Look there she goes again. World of her own.”

“She must think the whole Boulevard is here to serve her.”

“She will never get anywhere in life with an attitude like that. She needs to comply with the rules of the system!”

Bouncing along to her own groovy rhythm Esmerelda was indeed in the clouds. Although Esmerelda didn’t listen, she was a sweet, softly spoken young pear with opportunities guiding her in the right direction. Esmerelda was massively obsessed with Fruit-Fashion. A time of year when the best of the best in each Boulevard, Vineyard, and Orchard would be welcomed into City of Baskets to cascade their glamour and beauty. It should be of no surprise that Dragina would be qualified to enter every year. Esmerelda longed for the high life, but she felt her physique dragged her down. Her personality was vibrant but who would ever care for a body shape with petite shoulders leading towards an oversized, rotund bottom! Hardly the ideal figure. Given this, she had for the past year resorted to wearing a heavy thick jacket to cover her appearance. Often criticized for her fashion statements Esmerelda continued to take the remarks and turn them into compliments. Her birthright position regarding where her sisters and her grew up, they were considered first-class citizens, and this granted her the ability to attend Fruit-Fashion each year.

Entering City of Baskets was a spectacular sight for any newcomer and oldcomers alike. Shades of pastel tones with a modern vibe through brown timber paneling. Levels upon levels of basket-shaped and woven structures. The place was massive. Fruity Flare was the location of the theatre for the convention. It was a huge stage for the Fruits to perform on. Seats all around. Passing by were already a few Strawberries, Cherries, and Bananas.

Oh! How envious I am of those Bananas with their long, slender bodies! For sure they will win the contest. Esmerelda thought to herself, allowing more thoughts to flow. And the Cherries. Look at them always in pairs mocking the rest of us with their cuteness. The Strawberries. I mean their shoulders have a firm structure and then tailor down to petite legs. In many ways like a reverse Pear. Except no Pear has ever won Fruit-Fashion, where Strawberries have. I guess other fruits like the shape of Strawberries over Pears. I bet it has something to do with their flowers blossoming during the two-week convention. Pears seemed so behind in everything! Except maybe not this year.

Esmerelda was feeling like a superstar as she had a nut up her sleeve. This year she was going to qualify for the show and share with City of Baskets what she has been working towards. This was her destiny. Without hesitation, Esmerelda queued up for the show as a contestant. She winged her way through the questions knowing her citizenship will pass her. Once inside she rushed towards the dressing rooms leading to the stage. There she bumped into Dragina.

“Well, never had I thought you’d make it back here.” Dragina spoke with cocky filled confidence and a fiery voice.

“Dragina! You are a superfruit! And it is because of you that I knew I could get here.” Esmerelda responded.

“Wait? Are you here to see me or to compete?” Dragina’s confidence took a shot.

Esmerelda smiled and went on her way to the dressing room. Comforted behind closed doors, she was finally able to remove her thick heavy coat that she’d been traipsing around the entire town with for the past year leading up to this fantastic day. Looking at herself in the mirror, Esmerelda felt complete. The pain and suffering of the past year, without true support for the journey she chose, was a hard feat, but totally worth it. She thought.

Feeling compelled from last year's Fruit-Fashion, Esmerelda realized there was something she could do for her figure. She acquired the soft, pliable twigs from the lower levels of Pear Tree Boulevard, the place where the youngen Pears were cultivated. She used these twigs to wrap around her waistline knowing after a year the twigs will have permanently made their mark. And now gazing at her reflection was the new Esmerelda. The one with the petite shoulders which lead into her equally thin and narrow waistline before protruding to the rounded bottom. She finally had a true shape. With one final check over, she left her bulky jacket behind.

Immediately other fruits gazed in shock and horror at her direction. First feelings of ridicule came over her, but quickly she replaced it with her positive confidence and stride. This is what she had worked for, this is where she had come, and now she will shine the floor with the new look. The presentations had begun, and Esmerelda made her way onto the judging floor with the other fruits. She walked the entire length and once she lapped around to the beginning, she noticed the audience was silenced into shock. The presenter was speechless and quite possibly out of a job unless he started speaking something soon. The only one who dared speak was Dragina, as she caught up from the dressing rooms to see what the fuss was about.

“I never thought I’d see the day a fruit would go beyond their capable means to be something they’re not. A pear already has an enviable shape honey, why would you try to alter that?” Dragina questioned.

“This was for me. To know that I can do something about how I look and to get the results I have longed for. I am responsible for me. And while I dream crazy big things that my own Boulevard constantly disregards me for. I knew that I was capable of more than the system, more than other fruit’s opinions. I am the life I create for me.” Esmerelda spoke with a clear intention for all to hear.

Rocky Longbottom was the Fruit-Fashion Creator and judge for the convention. He made his way to the performance stage to lift off his hat to Esmerelda then handed to her the first prize award, as he spoke to explain his reason.

“It should be of no surprise to the Fruit community how the act of one fruit can change the system. When I designed this convention many years ago, I wanted to see fashion and flare, and creativity. Never has a pear won. Why? Because they stick to the rigid system. Well done Esmerelda you truly are a golden pear.”

Feeling fulfilled Esmerelda felt her place was now within the City and working with the Fruit-Fashion community, to help promote other youngsters to live a prosperous life.