Author's Note: This is just my version of how the Japanese maple got its beautiful crimson coloring. I hope I'm not treading on anyone's toes because I'm not sure if there are other stories out there on this subject. If there are, forgive me! This is just my own version and I do this for fun!
Ok, this is just the prologue so if you're wondering where the main characters are, they appear in the next chapter! Please remember that I write for fun and that this story just started. Wait until the later chapters to decide if you like this story or not! There may be a few rewrites of this in the future since I want to post this before leaving for Maine on an RV trip.
With that said and done, I hope you enjoy my newest story!
PLEASE REVIEW!!!
The Legend of the Japanese Red Maple
Prologue
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Coming!" a voice yelled. Footsteps sounded and the oak door creaked open on its brass hinges.
"Grandma!" a young boy exclaimed as he flew forward and embraced the old lady.
"I hope Kenji doesn't cause too many problems while he's here," the young father said apologizing for his son's actions. "I want to thank you again for taking care of him while I'm in Hawaii."
The old lady smiled at her son, "Kenji is a good boy and I'm always happy to have him over."
The smell of baking cookies drifted through the door and reached Kenji's father. He sniffed and wished his flight didn't take off so early.
"Please stay for awhile. The cookies are almost done and I'm sure Kenji wants to stay with you a while longer before you leave."
"You know I can't mom. This business trip is a great opportunity and I can't afford to miss my flight," the man said as he ran a hand through his hair.
The old lady sighed, "That's ok. I suppose there's always time to talk when you get back." She smiled.
"Sugar cookies!" a surprised voice exclaimed from somewhere in the house.
"I better go," the man said as he stepped off the porch. "Good bye Kenji, don't cause too much trouble for grandma!"
"Bye dad, I won't!" the little boy yelled back.
"I'll see you next Sunday," the old lady smiled as she watched her son step into his car.
He waved before backing out of the driveway and Kenji came outside to wave back. When his father was out of sight, the little boy became bored and his mind drifted back to the cookies.
"Are the cookies done? Can I have one?" he asked.
His grandmother smiled, "They're almost finished and of course you can have one." She closed the oak door before following the energetic boy back into the kitchen. Once there, she slipped on an oven mitt and pulled the tray out of the oven.
"They smell really good," Kenji said as he watched his grandmother place the tray on the counter.
"Be careful not to touch them or you might get burned. They'll be cool enough to eat in a few minutes and until then I can tell you a story if you want," the grandma offered.
Kenji's face lit up and he grinned, "Can you tell me one about our family?"
"Why would do you always ask for stories about the past?" the woman teased as she reached for the book containing family traditions and legends.
"Because those are the most interesting!" the boy insisted as he sat on the floor preparing to listen.
"Are you sure you don't want to sit in a chair?" she saw Kenji nod. "Now, which story do you want to hear?"
The book was old and dusty. It had a beautiful leather cover and gold leafing on the pages. The title read, "Okamimure Family Legends."
Catching sight of the title Kenji asked, "Why is it only spelled with one o? I thought our family name always had two of them."
The woman smiled, "This book is over one hundred years old. The spelling has changed over the years as it often does."
The boy nodded and stared out the sliding glass door. His eyes glided over the ivy growing on the north side of the house and scanned the yard for any changes since he was there last.
"Which story do you want to hear?" the woman asked as she cracked the thick book open. She thumbed through the pages in case the boy couldn't decide. A moment of silence passed between them and she looked up to see that Kenji was still staring out the window at the trees in her backyard. Puzzled, she wondered what exactly he was staring at.
"Why is that tree always red?" Kenji asked as he pointed out the one he was looking at.
His grandmother squinted and studied the tree for a moment before answering, "Kenji, that tree isn't always red. You always visit when it turns colors."
"What tree is it?" he asked as he turned his attention back to his grandmother.
"That's a Japanese red maple. It's the oldest tree in my yard and I've been told that it was here when this house was built. If I remember correctly..." she paused to thumb through the family book again, "...there's a story on that type of tree."
Kenji waited patiently as his grandmother leafed through the pages. After a few minutes she sighed, "I'm afraid that this story is a bit too violent for you."
Kenji scrunched up his nose and said, "I'm going to hear it one day. What difference does it make when I hear it?"
His grandmother was stunned that the eight year old had produced a completely logical answer; she had expected him to pout or throw a fit. After regaining her composure, she replied, "If you say it makes no difference when you hear it, then why do you want me to read it now?"
Kenji didn't like this answer and his smart-aleck remarks seemed to have left him. He opened his mouth, "But I want to hear it now!"
The old lady smiled. 'Just like his father when he was young. One moment he seemed to have the world wrapped around his finger, the next he was back to whining and screaming.' "I suppose I could read it to you..." she watched as Kenji returned to smiling. "Kenji, you have to promise that you won't tell your father about this ok?"
The little boy nodded and asked, "What's the name of the story?"
His grandmother sat down and gazed at the pages before her beginning to read, "The Legend of the Japanese Red Maple..."
(Author's Note: I hope you're not too confused yet! The story begins to pick up next chapter and the main characters begin to appeare too. So, on to the next chapter! PLEASE REVIEW)