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The Anthology of Esperian Fairytales story "True Adventures".
I reckon those of you reading this tale will, by and large, have heard a legend like this: In this world there can be found a kind of golden berry, well loved by Dura, goddess of life. It has leaves that shimmer like fairy wings, and magical fruit as round and gleaming as golden pearls. Whoever eats one is granted a wish, but only those pure of heart can even find them. Everything which follows in the tale I'm about to tell is inextricably linked with these golden berries of legend.
When Amos became aware of the passage of time, the horizon glowed with the last rays of the setting sun, while the moon made her silent ascent above the trees. This fairytale forest has the blessing of the mother goddess, Dura, but things change when darkness falls. It seems to shed its lively, vibrant cloak, instead revealing an unknown, mysterious side. Amos carefully traversed the forest with his crude, homemade torch held aloft. Faint mist suffused the air and, while it was clearly the way he had come, he was getting more lost with every step. He had to stop and sigh, the daytime argument with his father unexpectedly replaying in his mind once more: "I thought we'd agreed on this ages ago. What's the fun in so dangerous a forest?" His furious father had said this while dragging him home after spending hours searching for him. "Oh Amos, my good boy... Don't make your father worry so much." This is from his mother, lying sick and listless on her bed. "But if I could only find a golden berry—" "Enough with that nonsense, Amos!" His father slammed the medicine bowl onto the table, while raising his voice to counter any protestations, "You are never to go into that forest, you understand? NEVER!" A sudden, distant cry interrupted Amos' reverie. He began to regret brushing off his father's warning, and coming alone to this vast, labyrinthine forest. Hideous monsters seemed to hide everywhere in the surrounding darkness, intently watching his every move. His terror increased the more he thought about it. Eventually Amos panicked, diving into a hollow tree with "Nutshell" carved on it. It was cozy and warm inside, a far cry from the ghastly forest outside. There was hay here, fluffy and soft, as well as freshly picked fruit and a giant acorn the likes of which he had never seen. Amos was tired and hungry after wandering in the forest the whole day, and was unable to resist the allure of the fruit. He did, however, pray to the Divine Light for forgiveness, after which he succumbed to tiredness and promptly fell asleep in the soft hay.
"Raku, you bring me to your home in the middle of the night, just to show me you've got a human child stashed away?" "What? No? No! It's this giant acorn I spent forever looking for in the Dreamwood! It was going to be your birthday present, Pippi..." The chatter awakened Amos, who opened his drowsy eyes only for two furry heads to pop into view. "Human child, why are you in Raku's home?" The little squirrel in front of him held up her large glasses. Realizing he was in trouble, Amos answered honestly: "I... I got lost in the forest. I saw how warm and cozy it was in here, and I just couldn't help but..." "Did you hear that, Pippi?! Apart from you, this is the first time someone has complimented me!" The little raccoon called Raku beamed and scratched the back of his head, then said, "If that's the case, then you just stay here and get a good night's sleep. Pippi and I will make sure you get home in the morning." Hearing this, Amos got up in a hurry, waving his hand, "Oh no, that won't do. I still haven't found the berries I was looking for." Berries? Raku and Pippa exchanged a glance, each seeing their own doubt mirrored in the other's eyes. "If it's berries you're after, I've got loads here." Raku fished out the pot he always carried, and scooped out a large handful of raspberry-red and dusty-blue berries, all juicy and plump. Amos shook his head after taking one look at the berries: "No, those aren't right. It's a golden, shiny berry, once the favorite of the goddess Dura." Pippa considered carefully for a long while, before realization dawned: "You're looking for the magical berry the legends speak of?" As he was listening, Raku's mouth started watering: "That sounds totally delicious! Let's go look for it right away!" "Only the pure of heart can have any hope of finding that berry," Pippa added, "And I also heard that to have any hope of picking this berry, a task must be completed, one left behind by the goddess herself." "Never fear! No task daunts Raku!" The little raccoon beat his chest confidently, "So, human child, if you know where to find this berry, lead the way!" "To be honest, I don't really know... I guess that Dura would have planted her own fruit in a place dear to her. That's why I thought of coming to the Dark Forest in the first place." "By the way, my name's Amos. And I'm not a child," he stressed, "I can already help out around the farm, and give my mother her medicine!" "Okay, Amos—Now, there's nowhere in the Dark Forest that Pippi and I don't know! As long as this berry is definitely in the forest, we'll definitely be able to find it!" So it was that Amos followed Raku and Pippa from the eastern edge of the forest all the way to the western border. They passed majestic old oaks, covered in mistletoe, saw Nature's Voice indignant after being shaken awake, and followed fireflies all the way to the river. Along the way they also encountered Dusk Patrollers jumping out of bushes, and were hurriedly overtaken by the Rolling Thunder astride their Thunderbeasts. They collected luminescent stones from the bottom of the river, and happily competed in skimming them across the surface. As they traveled, Raku and Pippa would regale Amos with stories of their past adventures. He was envious, especially when he heard that Pippa had been offered the chance to attend the Astral Academy as an exchange student. "Wow, that's pretty awesome, being able to study at the Academy." Amos said with sincerity. "We could go together, if you wanted." Pippa said, adjusting her hat, "I'm sure Grandpa Arden would agree, if we asked." Amos hesitated a long while: "... Forget it. I'm not very good at magic, anyway." "That doesn't matter! Neither am I! We could climb trees and pick acorns together." Raku replied, puffing out his chest proudly. Amos once again shook his head: "I'm not very good at climbing trees, either. And I don't even know where to find acorns!" "Well, I'm sure you're good at something, right? What's Amos' talent?" "Dad says that no one annoys him quite like me," Amos said seriously, "Every time I want to help him out, or give my mother her medicine, he always points out how I'm not the like the other kids in the village, going to school and quietly studying and all that. He even says that I can't even play calmly at home, and do nothing the way kids should." "When he found out that I wanted to look for the golden berry, he was so angry he forbade me from ever coming to the forest." "That's a bit excessive! Can't kids look after their parents? Why do adults seem so fond of stress, always tying themselves up in knots over rules this, regulations that." Raku felt angry on Amos' behalf, "Amos, you're much more awesome than I am." It was the first time Amos had been complimented like this, and all he could do was scratch his head awkwardly. "Don't ever let other people determine your self-worth," Pippa said angrily, "Even if everyone says that Raku's too naughty, I like hanging out with him. If it wasn't for Raku, I never would have discovered how beautiful the Dreamwood is at night." Hearing Pippa mention the Dreamwood, Raku suddenly punched the air, then pounded Amos on the back: "That's it! We haven't looked in the Dreamwood yet! That giant—acorn, the one I was going to give to Pippi, it was found in the Dreamwood!" "There are also enormous mushrooms that float in the air, flowers taller than any person, and all types of delicious fruit." At that Amos, who was looking a little dejected, perked up: "So maybe the golden berry is in this Dreamwood place?" As soon as they entered the Dreamwood, as if passing through a veil of colorful light, Amos realized that Raku had not been exaggerating—here there glittered a sparkling glow, like stardust falling from the sky, while faintly illuminated mist hung wavering in the air. Glowing spores hovered and danced above giant mushrooms, while in those plants that were taller than any person, colorful stamen swayed gently in the cool night breeze.
There were also those tiny, shimmering sprites, which flitted back and forth between all the different fruit. Raku and Pippa told Amos they were called Treesprits, and were the most adept at cooking up all sorts of jam! The adorable Treesprites, however, appeared terribly shy. The second they caught your eye then whoosh! They vanished in all directions. "This fruit is too delicious, but I just can't eat any more." Raku lay on the soft grass, stroking his bulging belly. "Raku—these are Dreamwood fruits. It doesn't matter how delicious they are, no one knows if you'll have any weird reaction after you eat them." Pippa said this but then, by merely adjusting her glasses, Raku somehow placed a delicious-looking fruit into her hands. By the time she thought to look, even Amos had sticky fruit juice all over his face. Pippa cast a reproachful look at him, but Raku only scratched his head and smiled awkwardly. To make up for it, he hurried over to a giant tree which was dotted with soft lights, shining like a million little lanterns. As soon as Raku got close to the tree, he started to yell and shout excitedly. When Amos and Pippa caught up, they discovered that on this very tree grew the legendary golden berries! These berries had leaves that shimmered like fairy wings, and magical fruit as round and gleaming as golden pearls. Amos couldn't control his excitement and, with the gentle urging of his companions, he slowly and carefully picked the closest berry. As soon as Amos picked the berry, the ground shook as if some ancient, dormant creature had awakened. A huge fissure cracked the earth, spreading until it was almost underfoot, separating and stranding each of the three companions. Pippa didn't move fast enough, teetering on the brink and looking like a plunge into the abyss was inevitable. Raku quickly grabbed her flailing arm and pulled her hard towards himself. The momentum, combined with vibrations, resulted in the two of them tumbling and rolling under the golden tree. "Raku! Pippa! Are you guys alright?" Amos clutched the golden berry and yelled anxiously across the steadily-increasing chasm. But what replied to him was neither of his companions, but a strange, majestic and ancient voice: "It has been a long time since anyone has set foot in this place. Son of men, was it you who picked this sacred berry of life?" Amos was a little scared, and hesitated before nodding slightly. But he then realized that he couldn't be seen, so plucked up the courage to shout loudly: "Yes! I picked the golden berries." "You only require the one berry? There are plenty here, should you desire more." Amos thought briefly, then shook his head: "I only have one wish, that my mother get over her illness and be healthy again... So one berry is enough." "You are aware of the price to pay for taking a berry away, are you not? If not, you must leave the berry, but I will forgive your selfless ignorance." Amos was taken aback by this sudden and unexpected development, but there was one thing of which he was certain. He clutched the berry protectively, then spoke firmly: "I must and will take this berry with me. But whatever your honored self demands, I shall give!" "In that case, by virtue of what we have just agreed, I wish to take one of your friends." No sooner were the words uttered before Pippa and Raku found themselves trapped within a glowing sphere, an invisible force lifting them slowly into the air. "Choose, son of men. Choose which of your friends shall return to you, and which shall come with me." Amos had long thought that he would do anything for this single golden berry which could save his mother. He was prepared to give up everything, or lose himself in the forest as he had done, but he had never imagined that the price this mighty voice uttered would be to take away one of his friends. Although they'd only known each other for one night, Amos already cared deeply for these two Wilders who had shared this adventure by his side. But now, the only thing that could save his mother was within his grasp, at the cost of a friend... Amos' eyes gradually reddened, and his vision blurred. "Choose me!" Raku's voice rang out from within the glowing sphere, "Amos, you are the most loving human child I have ever met. Me? I'm just trouble, but Pippi, my best friend, is a genius who's going to be an exchange student at the Astral Academy!" "How is that okay?" Pippa piped up anxiously, unconsciously polishing her glasses non-stop. "Raku is the funniest guy in the whole Dark Forest, and my best friend who I love hanging out with." Raku was overjoyed at Pippa's words, but the terrible choice still lay before them. No matter what choice Amos made, the two friends were doomed to be separated. Raku didn't want this to happen. He thought carefully for a while, then shouted out to Amos: "Hey! Amos! You've gotta get back to save your mother—so why not get another golden berry, and then I can stay with Pippa!" Amos looked up. Despite trying to put on a brave face, the tears running down his cheeks betrayed him. But, thanks to Raku's words, he had finally come to a decision: "I... I do not want a golden berry. Please, give my friends back to me!" "Huh?" The mysterious voice sounded surprised, "Son of men, do you not wish to cure your mother's illness?" "Yes I do! More than anything. But my mother would never accept the golden berry if she knew the cost!" "Hahaha—good, very good—the very first son of men to come here after all these years—is also the first to pass my test—" The strange, majestic voice let out a rumbling laugh and then, it vanished as sudden as when it appeared. Watching the golden berry in his hand slowly disappear, Amos couldn't help but sigh in frustration.
"Amos, wake up...! Amos!" Amos, shaken violently awake, took a while to shake off his dream. He rubbed his eyes and saw Pippa looking at him worriedly, before heaving a sigh of relief when she saw he was awake. Not far off was Raku, still fast asleep and waving his arms and legs as he yelled at Pippa to run. Seeing Amos' totally blank expression, Pippa pursed her lips and motioned to the fruit in Amos' hand: "I bet it was Raku, carelessly picking the Dreamfruit. Anyone who eats it will fall right asleep without even realizing it." Amos looked down at the purple-grey berry in his hands, his expression soon changing into one of surprise. The berries, peacefully nestling in the palm of his hand, had begun to gradually sprout new leaves. They glittered like fairy wings as they spread, while the burgeoning fruit looked like little golden pearls. "These are—golden berries!" Intrigued, Pippa slapped her palm as a realization struck: "The Dreamwood lies between the material world and the magical, so is connected with the dream world..." She seized the dumbstruck Amos' hand, dancing and twirling merrily, "So, the golden berries of legend rely on the power of purity and hope to transform the shape of ordinary berries—and the golden berries you now hold are the perfect proof! It is your very wish itself!" "So, Pippa, is this the divine test you mentioned earlier?" Amos blinked. Despite not fully understanding what Pippa was saying, the outcome was fantastic. He burst out laughing, and was pulled up by Pippa to dance and twirl with her. A gentle, dazzling brilliance also bloomed with the fabled golden berries in their hands.
This story should end here, but I can't stop myself from telling you what happened next!
Later, after cordially thanking the Treesprites, the two furry Wilders safely escorted Amos out of the forest. Although they were about to bid farewell to each other, there was no gloom or sadness. As the squirrel said: "Ambling through the forest, I'm always picking up this or that. Problem is, my hands are so small that if I want to pick up the fruit, I'll have to let go of something else. Seeing as a pure heart is the most precious of all treasures, no matter what must be given up or exchanged in the future, you must always hold on to this." Perhaps the same holds true for humans. The young man bid farewell to his friends, then headed home with the golden berries. His father, sick with worry after waiting for him for so long, enveloped him in a bear hug, and each apologized to the other for their behavior. At the insistence of her husband and son, Amos' mother took the golden berries and made a wish. While to this day I cannot tell you what she wished for, I can say that since then, the family lived happily ever after.