The Cherry Tree and the Fox

The reign of Fall was coming to an end.  The trees and plants prepared the arrival of Winter.  The children cherry trees began to prepare themselves for their most important day of their lives.  Upon the first day of Spring’s reign, the cherry trees would grow to their full figure and bloom their blossoms.  They were Spring’s hand maidens, her advisors, watchers, and friends.  When her turn of reign would come, the cherry trees would be the first to bloom, to announce her coming.

The older and more experienced cherry trees have been teaching them how to gather their chakra and store it within their bodies, even through Winter’s reign.  In doing so, their bodies become immune to the cold realm, keeping them warm and safe, allowing their buds to prepare themselves to bloom.  The children were filled with excitement and joy as they gathered their chakra.

“Oh, I cannot wait until Spring’s arrival” said a cherry tree.

“Neither can I” said another. They were working as hard as their teachers had taught them.  One little cherry tree was working as hard, but with more enthusiasm.

“I cannot wait for Spring,” said the cherry tree.  “This will be my year.  This year, when I will bloom my blossom, they alone will fill the air with their sweet scent and have the brightest color than all the rest.  I will be just like the elder cherry trees.”  The others called her a fool for trying to work so hard, when she should just stay at the same pace as the others.  Other encouraged her, especially some of the elders, but the each gave the same advice.  Follow your own path.  But the little cherry tree would not listen.  She was too built up on being the best.

A sudden rustle in the grass came.  The little ones looked to the grass and saw two badgers jump out from the grass, looking around.

“Excuse us, little cherry trees, but have you seen the orange fox pass by here?” one of the badgers asked.

“He has ruined out lunch and called us old” said the other badger.  “He must be taught a lesson for his foolishness and trickery.”

“No we have not” said the cherry trees.  “No fox has come here.”

“Thank you, little cherry trees” said the other badger, and they continued their way.  By the time they were gone, another rustle came and a pair of orange ears perked up.

“Ha-ha, those old badgers couldn’t find me if I right beside them,” said a childlike voice, giggling with cheer.  “And I was, too.”  The ears jumped out from the grass, attached to little fox.

“Hello, little cherry trees” said the little fox, sitting before them.

“Go away, little fox,” a cherry tree shouted.

“We do not need your foolery here,” said another.

“Me?  A fool?” asked the fox.  “Hardly.  I merely play with others, just to get a smile on their face.  What’s wrong with a little fun?”

“It is not a time for fun,” said a cherry tree.

“Now is the time for work.  Winter is on his way and we must prepare ourselves.”

“Prepare for what?” asked the little fox.

“If you did not play around so much, you would know,” said a cherry tree.

“Upon Spring’s arrival, we will bloom our first cherry blossoms.  They will fill the wind with their sweet scent we announce the coming of Spring and all her glory” said a cherry blossom.

“I see,” said the little fox.  His eyes moved to the one cherry tree that was working the hardest.  He carefully walked up to her, making sure that he did not trample on the others.

“Get out of her, you jester!” a cherry tree shouted.

“You fool.”

“You clown.”

“You trickster.”  The fox ignored their taunts and sat in front of the hard working cherry tree.

“Hello, dear cherry tree” said the fox.  “Why do you work so hard than the others?”

“Because I want to be as good as the elder cherry trees” said the little cherry tree.  “And I can only do that if I work as hard as I can, building up my chakra.”

“But if you do that, you will over work yourself.  And all your effort will go to waste.  You should go at your own pace and be the best you can be.”

“What do you know of chakra building?”

“No one knows about chakra more than the race of fox.  We are in tuned with it.”

“Do you lie as much as your jest?”

“It is no lie, dear cherry tree.  I am a trickster, but I can be serious.”

“You lies continue as your foolery.  Go away, trickster.”  The others began to follow along, chanting together.  The fox sighed and walked away from the little cherry trees and back into the forest.  Many days have passed, and the cherry trees grew and grew.  Then a cold wind blew in from the east, howling with rumbling voices.

“Winter is here,” they cried.  “Winter is here.  All bow down before the Lord of Winter.”

Gray clouds filled the sky and snow began to fall.  Winter had cast his magic and began his reign.  The grass was blanketed with white, the waters turned to ice, and the trees became bear.  But the icy rule of Winter did not stop the cherry trees and their work.  They continued to build their chakra, in whatever amounts they could get.  The hard working cherry, refused to rest with the others.

“I must continue to work,” she said.  “I will become one of the best.”

“I see you still working very hard, dear cherry tree,” said a familiar voice.  Sitting before her was the same fox as before, but his fur had turned white.

“What are you doing here, trickster?” the cherry asked.

“I wanted to see how you were doing,” said the fox.  “I see you have grown very strong since we last met.”

“That’s because of my hard work,” said the cherry tree.  “When Spring finally comes, all of it will pay off.”

“Do you still believe that?”

“What do you mean?”

“You shouldn’t work so hard, dear cherry tree.  Just take your time and not always follow others.  Look at me.”  He turned his side, and revealed to her that he had grown four tails.  “Many of us want to be like our elders and earn the title of Kitsune, but we each have our own path.”

“And you follow your own?”

“That’s right.  It’s only been two seasons and no I have four tails.  My dream is to be a Kitsune, but I pace myself in getting there.  Just like you should pace yourself in becoming one of the best of the cherry trees.”

“We do not share the same philosophies as your kind does,” said the cherry tree.  “Go away, jester.  You are distracting me.”

“I just want to see you get hurt, dear cherry tree.  Sometimes ambitions do not go as the way we hope.”

“Well, mine will,” said the cherry tree.  “No go away, trickster.”  The fox said nothing.  Only lowered his head and walked away.  Winter’s reign seem to last forever, and it’s cold powers had made time stop.  And everyday, the fox visited the cherry tree, checking on her, telling her the same thing, not to work so hard, and to follow her own path.  But still, she refused to listen and continued to work as hard she could.  Days turned to weeks, weeks turned into months, and then Winter’s cold and frozen reign was soon coming to end.

However strong its grasp held onto the world, the sun’s strength proved to great.  The planes of snow and ice began to retreat, freeing the grass, lakes, rivers, and trees from their touch, as the cold, harsh winds turned to a gentle breeze that made the lands dance and sing.  The animals began to awaken from their slumber and purge the land with their beauty and grace, greeting the coming of Spring and her grace.  It was her turn to reign.  Her gentle songs that carried on in the wind brought life to all things.  Flowers bloom from their soil beds, the trees colored the land with their leaves, and the animals played with joy.

All the while, when the first shine of light came, the cherry trees, now full grown and strong, began to bloom their blossoms.  They were the first to shine, signaling the world that Spring had come and Winter’s reign had ended.  Their scent had filled the air with such bliss and sweetness, that many other plants and animals envied their beauty.  They were here messengers and her maidens, and believed to be better than the rest; that Spring favored them among others.  Yet not all are the same.

As Spring’s first day of reign began, and the cherry trees began their blossoming, one did not.  The hard working cherry tree prepared herself all throughout Winter’s reign, struggling to be as good as the best.  She was new, and she wanted to blossom just like all the others, to make Spring proud of, but alas, not a flower bloomed.  She tried and tried with all her might, but her efforts proved useless.  The other began to make fun of her, saying that she was imperfect compared to them and that she would not bloom as single petal all of Spring’s reign, mocking her promise and vows.

The lonely cherry tree cried and asked Spring to help her bloom, but she refused.  Spring could only encourage her maidens to bloom as best as they could.  It would not be fair that she helped one and not others.  The other continued to mock her, until she could only cry with sorrow and sadness.  The first day was almost ending, and the cherry tree had begun to lose all hope.

“What did I do wrong?” the cherry tree wept.  Her tears fell to the ground, only to glisten in the grass and setting light.  “What makes me different from all the others?”  Then from depths of the sea of grass, a creature emerged from hiding.

“Why do you cry, dear cherry tree?” asked the creature.  The cherry tears stopped for a moment and saw that the fox sat before her, looking up at her.  He was much older now, and now had six tails.  “Why do you cry, dear cherry tree?  Surely one such as you should not be said on the first day of Spring’s reign?”

“Have you no eyes to see?” the cherry tree asked.  “I cry because my blossoms have not bloomed and the day is almost over.  The others tease me to no end and I fear that I shall never bloom like the others.”

“Than why not try again, dear cherry tree?  The day is not over yet.”

“Must you tease me as well?  I try and try, but nothing happens.  I had such hopes that I would be as good as the rest, to have my scent be carried on in the wind with the others, and to be cherished by all the beasts.  But I am shunned instead, by the animals and my friends.”  Her tears continued again.

“Perhaps that is your problem.”  The cherry tree looked at the fox.  “You wish to be like the rest, to be just as good as them, when you should be following your own path, and be as good as you can be.”

“You do not know what you say, you jester.  You do not know what it means to be treated so differently.”

“But I do.  Many of the beasts have… treated me different for what they consider me: a jester and a fool, but I see myself as a cunning trickster.  When predators come to prey on me, my tricks and skills save me from their fangs and stomach.  I follow my own path and ways to protect myself, rather than try to follow what they do.”

“For you it seems easy, but I have worked so hard to for this moment.  Now I have missed my chance.”

“I do not think so.  I could help you, dear cherry tree.”

“What trickery is this?  Why must you poison me with your jokes and cons.”

“It is no trickery.  I will help you blossom your beauty before the days end, but I ask only one thing in return.”

“Why should I trust you?  You are a fox, a trickster and a liar, only to get what you want.”

“Do not believe the stories that you have heard.  I am very trusting, if given the chance.”

“How can you help me?”

“I will channel my chakra to yours, giving you the strength to bloom, but you must believe that you can do it yourself, to have faith in your own skills, and not try to be like all the others.”

“And what do you ask for in return.”

“I have wondered the land for many years, alone with no friends, and I have grown so tired.  All that I ask of you, dear cherry tree, is that you grant me a home under your blossoms, so that I may have a place to nest and rest for every Spring to come, until the end of my days have come to an end.  In return, I will share my chakra with yours, so that you will be as beautiful as you were meant to be.”

The cherry tree was surprised to have heard the fox speak such words, with such emotion that made her heart flutter.  The fox’s eyes almost glistened in the light, revealing what he felt in his heart.

“I swear upon my heart and soul to you.”  The cherry tree had heard many stories of the fox and their trickery, but she had never seen one commit such an act herself.  The cherry tree’s tears had ceased and looked at the fox.

“All right,” said the cherry tree.  “I will agree to the bargain.”

“Very well” said the fox, as he stepped up to the cherry tree.  “May I place my paw upon your skin?”

“What is this you ask?” the cherry tree asked with such surprise.

“I must touch your skin should I wish to share my chakra with you.”  The cherry tree began to feel uncomfortable about this, but she was willing to do anything at this point to bloom her blossom.

“I allow you to touch my skin,” said the cherry tree.  The fox stood on his hind legs as he placed his paws on her skin.

“You have such soft skin, dear cherry tree,” said the fox.  She blushed when she heard his words.  “How could one such as you bloom so late?”

Then, at that moment, the cherry tree could feel the fox’s chakra being channeled into her body, filling her with such warmth, as if the sun was shining down on her with its blissful light.

“This power… is so overwhelming,” said the cherry tree.

“Now let your blossoms bloom, dear cherry tree,” said the fox.  “Believe in yourself and follow your own path.  Look into your heart and release your beauty for all to see.”

The cherry tree looked deep inside her, channeling her chakra with the fox’s.  During the same time, the fox could hear the cherry tree sing a gentle song.



                                       Hear the wind sing out to you
                                           Lifting all your sorrows
                                           Take it in, like a dream
                                   And you’ll see the light of tomorrow

                                       Do not be sad, sings the wind
                                         Let the world see you smile
                                      However long or brief it may be
                                            Even it lasts for a while

                                           Like the sun, rising high
                                   You feelings, to all, you have shown
                                      Cease your tears and your cries
                                       For you will no longer be alone

                                         Hear the wind sing out to you
                                             Lifting all your sorrows
                                             Take it in, like a dream
                                    And you'll see the light of tomorrow



In that moment, the cherry trees blossoms began to bloom together, with the sound of her sweet voice.  With each blossoming bloom, her sweet cherry scent was carried through the wind, as was her voice.  Her petals began to dance around her with her voice.  Animals began to appear from the forest and the grass, gathering around her to hear her voice, taking her sweet, unrivaled scent.  

She was beautiful; more beautiful than all the others, and the animals and plants cheered her song.  As it ended, the fox stepped down from the cherry tree, smiling at her.

“You have done it, dear cherry tree,” said the fox.  “You have followed your own path.  May it always last forever.”  The fox turn from her and began to walk away.

“Where are you going?” the cherry tree asked.

“I have made a fools request to ask you to allow me home beneath you.  Your beauty does not deserve to be tainted with a fool such as myself.”

“Wait, please,” the cherry tree asked.  The fox stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder.  “You gave me the strength to look into myself and to follow my own path.  If it were not for you, I would never have blossomed such petals.”

“All you need was a little encouragement.  That is all I gave you.”

“Still, I think it is fair that I should keep my end of the bargain.”  

“There is no need.  The bargain between us is canceled.  Now you are one of the best.”  The fox turned away and ran to the forest, after he gave her a friendly smile.  He was right though.  The other cherry trees were surprised by her blossoms: how sweet their fragrant smelled and how their colors shined in the light.  The elders were proud of her, complimenting her that she had finally followed her own path.  None of them knew that the fox had helped her.

But she was surprised by their words, and she finally realized what they meant.  Rather than listening from experience, the cherry tree realized that she had allowed her ambitions, her determination, and her pride blind her and deafen her ears from the words of others.  The fox had told her these things more than anyone else, and she only shunned him and his words, just as the other cherry trees had shunned her when she did not bloom with the others.  Now she knew how the fox felt, but she also felt something else, something that was in his chakra.

Spring’s reign continued on.  The air was will with the cheer and joy of Spring’s children.  The animals visit the cherry trees almost everyday, asking for some of their fruit and the cherry trees abided.  The dear cherry tree received as many visitors as they others, but she had not seen the fox since their last meeting.  She began to wonder what must have happened to him.

In the calm, cool night, the cherry trees prepared themselves for sleep.  The stars shined brightly in the sky with the full Moon’s bliss.  The forest was quiet.  One could hear the little field mice scurrying across the ground.  Suddenly, a loud roar was heard in the distance, and it echoed in the air.  The dear cherry looked into the forest, wondering what was going on.

Heart piercing roars and fierce growls were heard with flashes of light swinging and shining in the dark world.  Within minutes the fury had ceased and all became silent.  From the shadows of the trees, a creature crept out, holding his front left paw up from the ground, trying not to walk on it.  The dear cherry tree looked at the creature and saw that it was the fox, and he was hurt.  Bits of blood stained his ruffled fur, his breath hard and coarse.

“What has happened to you?” the cherry tree asked.

“A dispute against rivals” said the fox, coughing coarsely.  “And like all rivals, it ended in a stalemate.”

“You’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing for you to worry about, dear cherry tree.  I will be fine.”

“Where is your pack?”

“I have no pack, dear cherry tree.  I have no one but myself.  It has been that way since I was but a kit with one tail.”

“So that’s what it is.”  The fox gave her a curious look.

“How do you mean?”

“I felt your feelings as your chakra channeled through me; your loneliness and sorrow.  How can one as kind as you should be so alone?”

“Because of what I am.  Like you and everyone else call me, I am a fool.  I play tricks on others and fool around till no end, but only to hide what I truly feel.  I look at everyone here and see what they have and I cannot even wonder what it feels like: to have parents, friends, or at least someone to talk to.”

“Do you not wish for those things?”

“One cannot wish, or envy, what he doesn’t know about, or what he has never had.  How can I wish what I never felt or do not know of?  The simple answer: I can’t.”  The fox released another cough as he fell to his side.  He struggled to get back on his feet without leaning against his injured paw.

“I should be going now,” said the fox.

“No, wait, please” said the cherry tree, before he even took a limp step.  “You do not need to go.  Please, come lie at my feet, and rest.”

“I dare not.  I would only destroy a beauty such as yours.”

“I don’t care about that.  I have treated you rottenly, like you were beneath me, failing to see that you were trying to help me, and did not take your feeling in consideration.  I now see my mistakes and wrongs, and now I wish to mend them before it is too late.”

“You have made no wrong against me, dear cherry tree, and therefore, no right is needed to be made.”

“Yes, there is, little fox.  There is still the matter of our bargain that must be settled.”

“I have said before that our bargain was canceled.”

“But not by me as well.  For one to be cancelled, both side must agree.  I have not.”

“You would let a fool such as me to lay and rest beside a beauty such as you?”

“Not just to rest, but to home.  I would like for you to home next to me, this way you won’t be alone anymore.”

“You would do that… for me?”

“Yes, I would.”  The fox walked up to the cherry tree, finding his spot and lied at the base of the cherry tree, his nine tails curled up beside him, the warmth of the cherry tree filling him, along with her sweet scent.  

“So warm… so peaceful…” the fox whispered.

Their spirits rose to the heavens, where the two met.  The fox rested in the cherry tree’s arms and she gently stroked his spikey blond.  The wind blew from the west, flowing the cherry tree’s pink hair, sending her sweet scent in the air.  

“Thank you, dear cherry tree” said the fox.

“And I you, gentle fox” said the cherry tree.