HARU AND THE STORY OF THE ASHTREE
“Emotions can be drowning at times, but always remember the love of your family and your friends. No matter what species you are: Monkey, elephant, human even crocodile.”
- Brodie W. Whitburn
Haru the baby monkey sat upon the branch of a tree within the realm of his home, his thoughts wandered. Wondering about the great adventures his father had told him about when he would be laid down for sleep when the sun would set during the night. Stories of his families, and things he had been taught by the - what father calls - humans.
Haru’s father was once a monkey of the circus called: Rainbow bridge of happy time. Haru’s father would play with rings, balance on balls and sometimes even juggle bowling pins. And although Haru’s father could not speak the language that the humans could speak. Haru’s father could understand and had been taught a special language that he would use with moving gestures with his arms.
When Haru asked about the stories the human had told him. His father replied in the gesturing language called by the human’s ‘sign language.’
‘Many stories, my little Haru. Some of the world my human friend lived in.’ The father’s hands moved in sequences, that his father taught Haru. ‘But my favourite stories were always the ones about Family, hope and friendship. Some stories were of the human’s world and some stories were about a place called Asgard.’ Haru loved hearing about the heroic stories of the humans and loved the stories they had told. And had always wanted to maybe meet one of them one day. Maybe even become friends with one as Haru knew friends were important to have.
Ever since Haru’s father had been set free, they had lived a happy life. Amongst a family of monkeys in the middle of the forest. The sun was setting and Haru knew it was time to leave, time for sleep and to hear about another one of the stories.
Haru jumped from his branch as the orange burn of the setting sun was cast upon him, he hit the dirt below sending up a puff and ran towards his home, his shadow followed close behind. Haru passed many friends on his way home. He came upon his tree, he climbed and he climbed and Haru thought about the story his father told him about the tree of Asgard. The great tree of knowledge called Yggdrasil. It connected the nine realms of the universe in the story about Norse mythology. Haru always thought of his tree as the great Yggdrasil, his home was the tree that connected the nine families inside the forest. Haru saw his father, as the all-father known in the human world as Odin. The all-knowing and all-seeing.
Haru got into his house and saw his father waving at him, gesturing with his hands, ‘come Haru, time for sleep as the sun sets.’
Haru chirped his happy chirps and jumped up and down with a crazy amount of joy, then shuffled his way over to his father, jumped into his bed, and pulled his blanket over him joyfully. His father smiled at him and Haru at his father. And with Haru’s hands, he gestured. ‘But father? What about the end of the story?’
Haru’s father breathed out, smiled and began to gesture, ‘okay my son, what part do you want to hear?’
‘Please tell me what the human said to you last? Before you were set free from the circus?’
Haru’s father gave a blissful smile, ‘okay.’ He gestured. ‘He told me, to find happiness. Be with those who care for me and for me to care for the others. Even though I was very loved in the circus, my human companion knew I was sad. I was alone, every day was the same. Nothing ever changed. But my friend knew what was important to me. What would make me happy?’
‘And did you find that happiness?’ Asked Haru with a smile as big and as bright as the sun that shone high in the sky. Haru’s father gazed down at little Haru, petted his head and readjusted his little blue blanket.
‘Of course, I did little Haru.’ Father smiled.
‘What is your happiness?’ Haru asked.
‘This ashtree that I found that connects our community like the nine realms in those humans stories. The wife I found. Your mother. And of course you little Haru. Nothing is more important than family. Never forget that my little Haru.’
Together Haru and his father looked at each other with the biggest smiles, then embraced each other in a warming hug. And with one final gesture to each other.
‘I love you Haru!’
‘I love you to father.’
End
You can find Brodie Whitburn on social media:
Twitter: @BrodieWAuthor
Instagram: @brodiewhitburnauthor
Facebook: @willwhitburn
Vero: @Brodiewhitburn
Website: brodiew671.wixsite.com/website
Facebook group: Writer’s Community
You can also find the story at the monkey matters website. You can show your support for monkeys. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed.
Sincerely
Brodie W. Whitburn
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