The music box

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds came out to dance with the blushing sky. The great Oak tree sure knew how to tell a story. It was at midnight that she found her motivation, when the clouds and sky gave her a voice.

People, animals, birds and every other creature would gather at the tree to listen in awe as the stories unfolded. Every night there was a different version of the same story.

"The purple clouds and blushing sky are not visible to everyone"! Worried Tam, as she sat in her wheelchair beneath the very large tree. Tam wanted to ask the clouds and sky to help her to walk again.

Around her feet scampered the deer, chipmunks, opossums and badgers. Blue Jays hopped here and there, while squirrels, pigs, moose and many other acorn loving animals romped and skittered. It was not yet time for the squirrels to vie with everyone for the nuts for winter storage, so there was more than enough for everyone. The moon shone so bright tonight, it almost seemed like daytime.

"Don't worry child, everyone sees it in their own time". Miriam, the School Teacher answered.

"Begin, begin"! Baby badger cried, hopping around impatiently.

"Once upon a time, the world was made up of a Left side and a Right side. Hanani ruled the Left, and Janani, his sister ruled the Right. People lived happily and thrived together. They planted, manufactured and bartered together in peace. All went well, until Javan the troublemaker, decided that he could do a better job of ruling the Left side, and corrupted the mind of Mavan from the Right side. They each started stealing from the houses and businesses on each side, but made it look like someone else was doing it.

Distrust started to spread like a disease throughout the two parts of the world. Everyone blamed everyone, people stopped talking to each other. Mavan and Javan got the blacksmiths to forge weapons, and war broke out in the entire world. It went on for two years. The two instigators each wanted to rule, and they lied, cheated and stole to get what they wanted.

The two sides started to fall apart, people couldn't get food and medicine. Many people died". The Oak tree paused.

"What happened, what happened"? Mable squirrel squeaked.

"I stood helplessly, unable to do anything. One night at midnight, I found that I suddenly could speak. My first words sounded like a croak, but it got better. I was shocked and overjoyed. That was the first time that the purple dancing cloud and blushing sky appeared in the Great Overhead. They were beautiful and so bright, I had to close my eyes. I felt something fall into my branches, and I shook my trunk as hard as I could. A handsome music box fell out".

"Hanani and Janani comes. Let them have the music box". The voice came from the clouds.

The brother and sister came often to sit under the tree to discuss matters and seek solutions.

"Don't be alarmed, Hanani and Janani. It is I, the Oak tree speaking"!

They both jumped back in alarm. Hanani shoved his sister behind him to protect her. Looking around and seeing no one but themselves, they turned to the tree.

"Are you talking to us"? Asked Hanani.

"Of course I am. There is certainly no one else around"!

"Well, excuse me"! Hanani huffed, a little offended.

"I don't mean to be rude, it's just that time is of the essence. At my roots you will find a music box. It is a gift from the clouds and sky".

Looking towards the sky, they saw the cloud and sky come out of hiding. The scintillating colors showed themselves for the first time to the humans.

"Oh, this is wonderful". Laughed Janani. Her brother was speechless.

"Play the music box please". Oak tree wanted to know the purpose of the box. Such a pity he did not possess arms and legs, he pouted.

Janani turned the knob a few times. The box played a soft tune when she released it.

"I am the song of truth

Ask of me anything

I am bound by cloud and sky"!

Hanani took the box from his sister. "Who started the war of the two sides of the world". He demanded.

"Mavan and Javan, to be sure, the clouds shall their punishment render". Answered the box, while a new lively song started to play. It seemed like the music box was only too happy to be rid of the information.

Armed with this new bit of hope, Hanani and Janani thanked the Oak tree and swiftly made their way back home. Tonight, they will finally sleep peacefully again. Tomorrow will bring justice and renewal.

Javan and Mavan however, who had been hiding in the bushes, heard everything. They would steal that music box if it's the last thing they would do. The two scoundrels tiptoed quietly behind Hanani and Janani.

Purple cloud and blushing sky had hidden themselves again. The two tricksters were confident that they were now safe. They couldn't see the cloud and sky as they floated overhead, eagerly waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves.