This was finished yesterday, but Wifi problems and work kept me from posting. Sorry y'all, but hopefully you like this.
Challenge 26: One Thousand Promises
When I was younger, Father had used to read me stories from Japan. One that I remember is called Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. It is about a girl whom survived the blast of an atomic bomb as a child. She was hospitalized when she was twelve, the radiation poisoning slowly killing her. The doctors said that she had, at the most, one year to live.
One day, her friend came to visit her and made a paper crane, inspiring her to make a thousand paper cranes because it was believed that, if you made them all, the gods would grant you one wish. She made as many as she could, but ended up not fulfilling her task, falling victim to her illness. However, her friends helped finish her goal in her memory and buried Sadako with all of the cranes.
When I had grown older, Father showed me how to make my own paper crane. I thought it would be fun to make one every day and write what I liked on the cranes before I would make them, so I could show my friends when I was done. When I wrote all of my interests, I started writing secrets on them, then I wrote promises. Silent promises I would see to the end, like honesty, loyalty, and honor. I have made 524 cranes so far by myself, but this next one for today is a special one.
Today is August 6, a memorial day to Sadako, also called Peace Day. My crane will hold a new promise, one that I will use for my best friend, Helga. She hasn't been adjusting well to Arnold being gone as we get ready for middle school. At first, it was hard for me to even get her to come over, but I wouldn't give up on her now. Not when she needed me the most.
I told her stories and kept her company, when she allowed me to. I was so glad when she smiled for the first time in a while. Today, I'm going to use my promise on my new crane.
I wrote, "Helga, I promise to help you get Arnold back. You love him, and you deserve to have your true love back."
I folded the wings, bent the neck of the crane, and folded along the crease. The word love shown down the neck of the crane, and I knew I wouldn't just bring her love, but peace to her. Her life went so bad after he left because she was so tied into him, but he can make it better.
My biggest hope is she becomes Helga again. I wish Helga was back, not the hollow shell of herself that she is now.