The Glowing Tree

By Eva Chen

One day, while I was walking in the forest, I turned around and realised that I was lost.

Suddenly, a glowing tree caught my eye. I had a rest under the tree. I could see the tiny fireflies flying arounf the tree, making it shine brighter. In this second, the whole tree began to fade away.

I blinked. I blinked again. I blinked many times until it started to glow again.

“What is happening?” I said to myself.

“Excuse me,” said one of the tiny fireflies. “I thought that you would like to listen to what is happening here.”

“Oh yes,” I said. “I would love to hear that.

“If you want this area to keep glowing,” the firefly said, “you will have to go to the Shine Queen so that we can gain light again to shine through the night.”

“And by the way,” it added, “My name is Lucy.”

“Thank you Lucy,” I replied. “I have two questions for you. First one, who is the Shine Queen and where does she live? Second one is, can I have someone accompanying me on the journey?”

Lucy said, “The Shine Queen lives in Shimmer Bright Light Land. Also I can accompany you. Now come with me.”

I followed Lucy until we met five different paths. I noticed a sign saying 3 + 2 = path.

“Hmmm…three plus two equals five. I got it!” I said. “We need to take the fifth path. Let’s go!”

We then met ten doors. A sign said e + i + g + h + t = door.

I murmured, “Eight.” Then I said to Lucy, “I got it, I got it again. Let’s go through the eighth door!”

We pushed the door open. And there stood the Shine Queen.

“You have overcome the challenges,” she said in a majestic voice. “I grant you one wish.”

I answered quickly. “I wish to gain light for the fireflies.”

“Well done,” Lucy said to me. Then she said, “Magic time!”

In a flash, we were back at the tree. The tiny fireflies threw a firefly party to celebrate the restoring of the light. I had a wonderful time with the fireflies.