Talking Tree Land.
Many years ago, there lived two princess friends named Aurora and Ariana. They lived in a grand, stone castle in the village of Gratenhammer, where they would
play all day long. But one day, Ariana said something that would change their lives
forever.
“Since we’re princesses, we never get to leave the palace grounds, Aurora. Today, I think we should leave and go on an adventure!”
“Okay, but where should we go?” asked Aurora enthusiastically.
All day the two princesses came up with places they could go.
“What about the underwater gardens?” suggested Ariana eagerly.
“But what if we get eaten...by sharks!” cried Aurora. They both decided that wouldn’t be any fun.
“Maybe we should go to dragon land!” Aurora said.
“But what if the dragons don’t like us? They’ll breathe fire, then eat us for dinner!” Ariana pointed out.
“You’re right. That wouldn’t be fun either,” Aurora agreed. They sat there in their favorite hiding spot in the beautiful palace garden thinking until lunchtime. Their thoughts were interrupted by a growl of hunger in their bellies, so they wandered into the castle looking for a snack.
Finally, while looking through the stories in the library (and chomping happily on their chewy bars) they found a place that they could have a great adventure - and wouldn’t be eaten by sharks!
“Tree land!” said Aurora enthusiastically.
“Talking tree land!” Ariana corrected happily, “We’re going to go to talking tree land!” In only a few minutes, the two girls were shoving clothes into their diamond encrusted suitcases. While they packed, they chattered happily away about everything they were going to do.
“It’ll be so much fun!” gushed Ariana, “I heard you can ride on the trees!”
“Yeah! I am so excited!” agreed Aurora.
With their suitcases rolling behind them, the two young princesses walked through the palace corridors and out the front door.
“You know, we have to get back before dinner, or our moms will wonder where we are,” Aurora told her friend.
“I know. And we’ll have plenty of time, because there’s still half of the day left,” Ariana said.
“I’m so excited, I can’t wait to get there!”
“Me too!” They got on the airplane taking them to talking tree land, and looked out the windows the entire time, looking for the trees.
“I bet I’ll see it first!” Aurora said with a huge smile on her face.
“No way! I’m going to see it first!” Ariana told her, barely managing to contain her excitement. The rest of the plane ride, the two girls didn’t say anything. They focused their attention out the windows, searching for talking tree land and wanting to spot it first.
After what seemed like an eternity, from their window, both Ariana and Aurora spotted a moving tree!
“THERE!” both princesses exclaimed pointing to the distant green shape below. Both girls giggled happily. They both still couldn't believe they were on an airplane that was leading them to a fantastic adventure. But suddenly, Ariana's excited grin was replaced by a worried frown.
“Aurora?” she whispered. “What if we get lost? What if the trees turn out to be evil?” But Aurora simply waved away her friends worries.
“Don’t be silly, Ariana. We’re going to have a great time! I’m sure the trees won’t be that mean...I hope...” Ariana looked as if she was going to say more, but suddenly the sickly sweet voice of the flight attendant came over the intercom.
“We will be landing at our destination in a few moments, please have your bags ready.” Ariana gave Aurora a nervous glance. Fear was bubbling inside of Aurora like acid , but she knew she needed to stay strong, especially for her frightened friend.
“We’ll be fine, I know it” Aurora whispered, and she really hoped what she had said was true.
As the plane landed, the two princesses gathered their suitcases, unbuckled their seat belts, and sat waiting impatiently. Finally, they heard the crackling of the intercom, and the pilots serious voice say, ”We have now landed in Talking Tree Land. Please get off the plane in a quick, orderly fashion. Thank you for flying with us, and we hope you have a great time here in the magical world of talking trees.”
Both girls squealed excitedly, and ran as fast as they could to the door at the front of the small plane. They went down the stairs two at a time, and landed on the ground in a mater of seconds. Ariana and Aurora stared in stunned silence as they drank in the sight of Talking Tree Land. All of the trees were walking around, their roots acting as feet, and they were talking among one another as if they were humans.
“Wow! It’s just as we imagined, Aurora!” Ariana said with excitement.
“I know, I cant wait to go meet one... but I’m a little bit scared of going up to one of those huge trees.” And, suddenly, the two young princesses heard a voice behind them. Whirling around, they saw a huge oak tree, extending out it’s hand (or rather it’s branch) in greeting.
“Hello,” it said in a deep, enthusiastic voice. “Welcome to the magical world of talking tree land!” The two friends grinned up at the tree.
“Hi,” Ariana said bravely. “I’m Ariana and this is my best friend Aurora.” Aurora gave a small wave, but then looked at Ariana worriedly.
“You know our parents said we couldn't talk to people we don’t know.” She reminded her friend ferosciously. Ariana laughed.
“But this isn’t a person, Aurora, it’s a tree!” Ariana told her, proud to find a loop hole in her parents strict rules. Aurora thought this through then gave Ariana and huge grin.
“Yah! We can talk to all the trees we want!” she cried happily.
The tree that had talked to them smiled as they talked about conversing with strangers. when they finished, he said, “My name is Ted. It is nice to meet you, Ariana and Aurora. Would you enjoy a tour of tree land?”
The two princesses, enjoying their new freedom, nodded their heads rapidly.
“Yes, please.” Ariana said politely.
“Uh huh!” added Aurora enthusiastically. So, following the humongous oak, they began their tour.
“This is the part of the forest where the great Prince Treesanberry defeated the dragon! Quite a legendary story...of course you girls have heard it...?” The oak tree asked them merrily.
Both girls shook their head in confusion.
“Nope,” Aurora said casually.
“Will you tell us about it? Please?” Ariana asked. The tree nodded and launched into a long story about a heroic tree prince who slayed a humongous dragon with a diamond embezzled sword.
“But, the sword has not been found till this day.” The tree finished dramatically. Both the princesses looked around.
“Is that it?” both girls asked excitedly, pointing, doubting it could be that easy.
“Why, it just may be!” Ted exclaimed. The two friends raced over to the patch of overgrown grass where they had seen a glint of diamonds. Swiping the grass to the side, Ariana saw the hilt of the sword sticking out of the ground.
“There it is!” Aurora shouted, reaching to pull the sword out from the hard packed earth. But, even though she pulled with all her might, the sword did not budge.
“Let me try, Aurora,” Ariana said, and tried to get the sword. But, just like her friend, she wasn’t able to.
“Why don’t you try to pull it out together?” suggested Ted cheerfully.
“Good idea!” the two princesses *yawped. Together, they reached for the sword, wrapping their small hands around the hilt.
“Ready? On the count of three!” Aurora said.
“Okay!”
“One... Two... THREE!” Ariana and Aurora said in unison. And, like magic, the sword broke free of the ground, and sent the girls tumbling backwards.
“Well done! Thank you!” Ted remarked, “I am forever grateful to you two young ladies. Talking Tree Land will eternally be in your debt!” And then the tall, grand oak bowed.
“Thank you Ted! We would love to stay, but we had best be heading home now.” Ariana explained.
“Yes, supper is probably on the table by now, and getting cold. We had such a wonderful time!” Aurora agreed with her friend.
“If you ever come back, and need anything, come find me,” Ted told them, then turned and lumbered away and out of sight between the trees.
“Well,” Ariana beamed, turning towards her friend, “We should get going, I think there’s pizza tonight!” Aurora’s stomach growled as she imagined the pizza awaiting them at home. So together, hand in hand, they started toward the plane, chatting happily about the wonderful adventure they had had. Ariana and Aurora love adventures!
