ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
STORY/Time of Miracle: The Luminous Tree

The tree that resembles an evergreen tree is the largest tree in this forest, and amazingly, the leaves of the tree will emit a bright yellow light when night falls. What a magical tree. In fact, the people of this village believe that the tree can grant the request for those who need it.

“But... is the story true?” Alya asked herself.

Tonight, the little girl decided to come to this place, to the middle of the forest, because she had just lost her cat this afternoon. However, upon arrival there, somehow Alya even felt doubtful. He didn't know what to ask for.

“What do you want?” Ask someone standing next to him. His voice sounded like a grown man, only, right now that person was wearing a brown teddy bear costume, with a red scarf coiled around his neck, he said, and he also carried many colorful balloons in his right hand.

No one had ever seen the face behind the mask, including the villagers. But, one thing is for sure, he was in this place every night, and he acted as if he was the one who owned the tree. In fact, the people said, he had been accompanying this tree since hundreds of years ago.

“Pronounce your request. If it's worth it, then he'll grant it. It's easy to Nak.” Said the guy in the bear costume.

“Eh... So that story is true huh?” Alya asked as she warmed her hands. The weather tonight is really cold.

“What story?” Ask the guy.

“Ah, story that this tree can grant request.” Alya replied hesitantly.

“Oh, of course that's not a story. That is the truth.” He looked up at the tree. “He granted people's request, that's the reality.”

“Dia..?” Alya asked in astonishment. “But, why?”

“Loh? What's the reason?” That person said, maybe he was smiling behind that mask.

“Eh... Why does this tree grant our request?”

“Maybe, because... regrets?”

“Loh? Meaning?”

“Yes, because regret can be a failure, and sometimes, that failure leads to an unpleasant end. Catastrophe for example?” Obviously that guy. “Perhaps, he once failed to grant a wish, and out of regret, he ended up turning into this tree, so that he would not repeat the mistake again.”

Alya did not really understand what that person was talking about, but she still did not know what to say, because at this moment Alya had just realized something very important, which was very important, which he had forgotten all along.

Real tired.

However, after hearing the strange story, Alya felt a bit quiet now. He's like he's just been listening to a bedtime story. His entire body felt light, and his fatigue gradually dissipated.

“So, what's your request?” Ask that guy again. “Do you want your family back? Or do you want to catch up with them?”

Alya's eyes opened slightly when she heard it.

If he could get his family back, it would be the happiest thing in his life. But is that the right choice? Because Alya himself believes that his family is calm there.

“What yes?” Alya looked at the night sky which was decorated with thousands of colorful stars. “The request of a person is like a star in the night sky. Too many and countless. I'm afraid, if I take the wrong choice, maybe I will never feel satisfied.”

“Hoh... “ The guy sounded amazed.

“I want to.. like the sun. Although she shines alone in the blue sky, but her light is able to give hope to everyone.” Alya then looked at the tree. “He is the same. He shone alone on a cold night like this, and granted the people's request. Even though he had failed, but in the end, he still made the right choice. I want to be like that.”

“That means, you want to survive don't you?”

Alya put a scarf around her neck. “Yes, I want to survive. As long as I can, then I will survive, and make sure to take the right choice later.”

Suddenly, the costumed man removed one of the balloons from his hand, and let it float up high into the sky.

Hand in hand, Alya and the costumed person stared at the balloon which gradually vanished from sight.

Alya did not know what the meaning of his actions was, but he could feel something magical from that simple moment.

Has he made the right choice? Alya doesn't know for sure either. But he chose to survive. There are still so many things that he can accomplish in the future, and he will try to make the right and good choices, no matter what.

Just like that tree.

SC Image: Google