The next day, at the break of dawn, all the girls went to the airport. There, they saw their airplane. It was big and beautiful. They ate all their snacks on their plane and soon reached Icecap. They walked and walked in the snow. When they spotted a big, lush, and green tree. It was magnificent! “Yes, my children!” The tree spoke in a soft, echoing voice. Everyone was shocked! “What brings you here?” “U-um actually there is an old cherry blossom tree. We all children love the tree. We’ve been playing on it since childhood. But today, some people had come to cut the tree down. We all love the tree so much that we don’t want it to be cut down. We tried everything we could – we had told the people that don’t do so, but they were not ready to listen! What should we do?” Anna said, dismayed. “Hmmm...” The tree stood silent for a minute. Then, “If this was all you could do, there is only one way to prevent the tree from cutting down...” “What is it!?” The girls said in excitement. “You will have to talk to the heart of the tree.” Said the Tree of Life. “Here!” One of the branches of the tree handed over a bottle of glittering green potion. “Pour this near the roots of the tree. Then, put this machine in front of you, and press the green button.” The tree handed them over around the machine. All the girls thanked the tree and left with their stuff. In the evening, the girls reached their homes. They thanked Abby’s dad for giving them the airplane. They went to their respective homes to freshen up and met at the park. While all discussed the magic potion and the machine, Anna had gone to all Sarah to tell her everything. When Sarah and Anna arrived, they went to the hill where the tree was situated. Now, Sarah looked a bit relieved but still worried. “Here!” Anna handed over the potion to Sarah. “Pour it near the roots of the tree.” Sarah did as Anna had told her. After pouring the potion, Anna put the machine on the ground and pressed the green button. Suddenly, a flash of light came out of the machine.



Then the spirit of an old-looking man came out of it. Everyone gasped as they watched the spirit talk. “Dear Sarah, thank you for caring so much for me. And you all,” He said as he looked at Anna, Della, and Abby. “Tree!” Sarah shouted. “Don't goo!” “What?” The spirit brought his ears further. “Don’t go, I said!” Sarah shouted again. All the girls behind her giggled. The spirit laughed, too. “You need not be so sad!” The spirit consoled her. “See, when I am alive, the small seeds can’t come out because of my roots. I am to be killed one day, at last. Even if I’m killed, I will be happy that I am allowing the birth of new, fresh plants. So, don’t worry, be happy, and remember, Hakuna Matata!!!” By saying this, the machine closed. The old cherry blossom tree blossomed for the last time in its life, as the girls watched the beautiful scene in amazement with tears in their eyes. The next fresh morning, Abby, Anna, and Della rushed to the hill to see the tree was there or not. They saw Sarah standing there. Anna noticed that the old tree was no more. “Ooh!” She exclaimed as she saw the cut down tree.” When... everyone spots a small little seedling. Sarah looked up at them, gleaming. She said, “Today is my birthday...” She then looked down at the tiny seedling growing near the cut-down tree. “And yours, too!” Everyone watched Sarah as they jumped with joy. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SARAH!”
© Jessica Kiite