Crickett and the Story About the Tree Giants

Crickett, the tri-colored Corgi, has lived in her neighborhood for a little while now but she doesn’t know about all of the magic it holds. Up until recently she thought the magic had been in the animals and the beauty of the plants and flowers. She found out recently that there are other creatures that call her neighborhood home. Some of these creatures do not roam where they can be seen by the humans that populate the neighborhood or the world that surrounds it. They spend most of their time in their own realm that is adjacent to the human one and only occasionally find their way into the human realm. Some even hide in plain sight as trees, other plants or flowers and sometimes even stones. She learns about some of the creatures one day while visiting with Chipper, her best friend.

Crickett is outside with her squirrel best friend Chipper relaxing in the warm spring sunshine not really doing much of anything. While it may be spring, summer is just around the corner in Illinois and Crickett is already getting hot. Without much energy she and Chipper are laying down in cool grass and enjoying the breeze. Crickett hasn’t been outside for very long but she knows she will be under the shelter of their big oak tree enjoying the shade in no time. She has always wondered about animals spending so much of their days outside in the heat of summer or freezing temperatures of winter. She can handle the winter a little better with her double coat but the late spring and summer are very uncomfortable. She just has too much fur to enjoy the sun and heat for long. She knows that when she is ready to go inside all she has to do is go through the doggie door her parents installed, once she was big enough to use it, and she’d be in the wonderful air conditioning of her home. She’d like to invite her friends inside so they can enjoy the air conditioning too but she knows her parents probably wouldn’t like that. So here they sit soaking up the sun and occasionally talking about nothing of importance. That changes though when Chipper asks if she’s heard of or seen the Tree Giants that dwell in their neighborhood.

Chipper lay sprawled out in the cool grass when he remembered a story he had heard when he was younger. He knows Crickett would love to hear the story, assuming she hasn’t heard it already. Lifting his little head just enough so that he can speak clearly and be understood Chipper asks Crickett, “Crickett have you heard the story about the Tree Giant Grover and his mate Ahvi that dwell in our neighborhood just across the street?”

Crickett instantly perks up at the idea that Tree Giants live in their neighborhood. She moves to a sitting position, her nubby tail wagging for all it’s worth then replies, rather excitedly, “No! I haven’t heard the story! Can you please tell me?!?” She is so excited she can’t help it when she begins yelling louder and louder the longer she speaks.

Chipper smiles broadly at his friend. “She is and always has been such a curious and happy little creature.” he thinks. Her excitement for the story is contagious and Chipper finds himself very excited to tell her the story. So he stands, takes a big stretch and says, “Let’s move to the shade so we can be cooler before I start.” Crickett runs full throttle into the shade and skids to a stop so she doesn’t hurt herself too badly when she runs into the fence. She manages to slow enough but there is still a loud thud as she hits the fence which causes her mommy to come check on her. When they hear the door knob begin to turn Chipper quickly runs up the tree to hide until Crickett’s mommy is gone.

Once the coast is clear Chipper comes back down the tree and sits beside his friend so he can tell her the story. He also makes sure to sit on the side away from the door so that Crickett can block him from her parents eyes if they should look outside while he is telling the story. When he is comfortable he begins.

”Many, many centuries ago when the earth was still young and the Tree Giants roamed the surface a Tree Giant named Grover yearned for love and freedom. Grover had been born a prince. His father Bjorn and mother Ekaanta were King and Queen and he had one younger brother named Islwyn.

Being the first born son of a first born son Grover’s life had been planned for him since he was little more than a sapling. Every moment of every day of his life was preplanned for him whether he liked it or not. He had no choice in anything from the most mundane things to who his mate was going to be. Grover chaffed at this and rebelled any way he could however often he could. At first it was small things like being late for important things but by the time he was old enough to truly understand what it all meant he decided he had had enough and vowed to do as he pleased no matter what.”

Chipper stops for a moment to catch his breath and walks over to the little fountain in the yard so he can get a quick drink before beginning again. Crickett is dying to hear more but she waits patiently for her friend to return so he can continue the story. So far she likes the story and feels sorry for Grover.

When Chipper returns Crickett says, “I feel sorry for Grover. I hope that he is happy now.” Chipper smiles at his friend. Not for the first time he thought what a wonderfully innocent heart she has. Instead of answering or responding to Crickett’s comment Chipper simply says, “We will see.” then begins the story again.

“One day as Grover was walking along the creek that runs through their land his father appeared before him. Without any kind of greeting Bjorn simply says, “Your mate, Briar, is due to arrive for your first meeting in two days. You better come to the party and be there on time.” Then his father is gone. He doesn’t care what Grover thinks or how he feels about this sudden mate that is being sprung on him. His father’s word is law after all and everything has already been decided.

Grover just stands staring at the place where his father had been. He can’t believe what is happening. He stalks away from the creek with anger building at each step. He stops walking after a bit and just stands in silence trying to comprehend what he had just been told. As he is standing in silence his brother Islwyn shows up before him. Grover and his brother have never gotten along. Islwyn has always been jealous of all that Grover has even if Grover doesn’t want it. Grover instantly feels himself bristle at his brother’s sudden appearance before him. True to his nature Islwyn comes at Grover full of barbs and jabs. “So the prodigal son has yet another thing given to him. I hear Briar is very beautiful and her father is very powerful. You should be happy to have such an alliance. It must be so nice to be the first born son. Of course it was wasted on you. You who don’t want or appreciate it. You don't deserve such a distinction, an honor. You are so selfish.” Islwyn says with venom dripping from every syllable of every word that he speaks.

Grover has had to deal with his brother’s jealousy ever since they were saplings and he is tired of it. He had no control over his birth or the order of his birth. He is tired of it all. Tired of his father, tired of everyone else deciding his life but most of all he is sick and tired of his whinny little brother.

Instead of engaging with his brother which is exactly what Islwyn wants, Grover simply turns and walks away from him. He knows that by doing this it will make his brother even madder than if he had stayed and started arguing with him. “It’s the small victories.” Grover thinks as he walks away, not bothering to look back. He can hear his brother ranting behind him but he doesn’t care.

He had unknowingly decided as his brother had been talking that he was going to leave, to keep walking and not turn back, to live his own life as he saw fit.

He walked days without stopping until finally he couldn’t walk any longer. He stopped at a village a heartbeat from the sea at its border. He had no plans as to what he was going to do and he found he liked it that way. For the first time it was all his choice.

He had been in the village, called Little Lotus Rock, for a couple of weeks when he first saw her. She was so sweet and beautiful. Her kindness drew him to her first. He introduced himself simply as Grover, not prince just Grover. She smiled sweetly, blushing even and told him her name was Ahvi. He was hooked from the moment he saw her and lost in her the moment she spoke to him. He knew right then that she was the girl he had been looking for, the girl he wanted to be his mate so they could spend the rest of their lives together.

Ahvi had felt the same way and before long they were inseparable. Finally one day he could no longer wait and asked her to become his mate. She had agreed and they were mated in a ceremony along the seashore.

They were happy for only a few months before Grover’s father found him. He had sent out his troops to scour the globe to find him. When the soldiers found him he was with his mate in their home. Without a word they grabbed him to take him back home.

As he watched his heart broke and his anger began to build. Ahvi was screaming for him as they took them in different directions. He feared where they would take her and promised he would find her again. He yelled to her as she was being taken away, “I love you my sweet. I will find you again.” Then she was gone and no matter how much he fought to follow her, the soldiers holding him were just too many and too strong.”

Chipper stopped again. Crickett has moved in front of him and she is leaning so far forward he is afraid she will fall over and take him with her. “She is so drawn into the story that she does not realize she has begun to lean forward nor has she realized just how close she is to falling on him.” he thinks. Smiling Chipper says, “Crickett. You need to lean back on your tushy or you’ll fall.”

Crickett gives herself a little shake and sure enough she has been leaning too far forward. Her little shake actually almost caused her to fall a little but she manages to catch herself before she can fall over completely. A little embarrassed she replies, “I’m sorry Chipper. It’s just such a good story I couldn’t help it.” When she stops talking she stands up and takes a big stretch before settling back down again this time though she lays on her belly to get more comfortable and so that she won’t risk falling on top of her friend.

Seeing his friend take a stretch Chipper does the same then says, “Should we stop for now, take a break?” He knows the answer without Crickett having to say it but he asks just the same.

Crickett just looks at Chipper for a moment before replying a little sheepishly, “Please can we continue?” Then smiles when Chipper nods his head in agreement and the story begins again.

“Grover is taken back home, back to his father, back to his preplanned life, back to the mate his father chose for him. When he arrives he does not go to his father but to his rooms to wait. “If father wants to talk to me then he can come to me.” Grover thinks as he waits, refusing every servant that first asks him to go to his father then begs him to. Eventually they no longer ask and leave him alone.

His father waits longer than Grover thought he would. Bjorn storms into his son’s rooms the following morning, his rage on full display. “How could you go against your family and mate yourself to such a creature? You have been betrothed since you were a sapling. Briar is from a very good family and has spent her life preparing to be your mate. She accepted her fate long ago. Why can’t you?” he yells at his son who appears to not care about his future.

Grover had been sitting by the window and turned when his father entered but had yet to stand. Hearing his father’s words and how he spoke about his mate he leapt to his feet and charged his father. An inch from his father’s face and speaking through clenched teeth he said, “I don’t care who or what you are, you will never speak about my mate like that again. I will not leave my mate simply because you did not choose her. I chose her and by her side I will stay.”

Bjorn hoped it would not come to this but now he had no choice. He squared his shoulders and replied, “Listen to me boy! You will renounce your “mate” and take your rightful place as the next in line to rule. If you don’t you will be excommunicated and shunned for all eternity.” Little did Bjorn know but he had just given his son exactly what he wanted.

Grover smiled at his father and said, with a fire in his eyes as well as his heart, “The choice is very easy then.” he paused as he saw a look of triumph on his father’s face. “He thinks he’s won. This should be fun then.” he thought to himself. He can’t help the smirk that spreads across his lips. He took a deep breath to center himself then continued solemnly, “I will pack my belongings and leave the glen before dawn tomorrow. I’m sure your spare Islwyn will be more than happy to take over my role, mate included.” With that said he turned and walked away from his father. When he risked a glance back he saw his father was in utter shock at what his son had just done.

True to his word Grover had his things removed from the glen and as was tradition burned them at the edge of the grove. When they were but ash he dug a hole next to the oldest of the glen dwellers, Eli, and buried them at his feet. As Grover turned Eli clears his throat and said, “It takes a brave man to give this all up for love. Good luck my friend.” Grover nodded his head in both respect and response then turned back to his chosen path and returned to where his heart was and had been since he first laid eyes on his Ahvi.

His search had taken a little time but he found Ahvi and they created a new home together far from his father. They moved into this neighborhood when it had first begun and set roots to begin their own family.” Chipper finished the story then sat and waited for the questions he knew were on Crickett’s mind.

With the story done Crickett sits looking around at all the trees that live in their neighborhood. Eventually she has to ask Chipper, “Are they still here? Where are they?” Crickett loves the story so much she just has to meet the Tree Giants. As she waits for Chipper to respond she takes a closer look at the trees in her back yard but decides they just don’t look near old enough to be Grover and Ahvi.

Chipper had been expecting just these questions so he was already prepared when she asked them. He responds quietly, “They are both still here. Grover is the lone tree that sits in the middle of the field behind your house and Ahvi is the tree in the southwest corner of the yard that belongs to the little sage-colored house at the end of the block. At one time they could touch branches but over time the neighborhood has changed and they no longer can.”

Crickett had been so happy at hearing such a lovely story but the instant she heard that they were so close to each other yet so far away it broke her heart. They had fought so hard to be together then made it against all odds to now have this obstacle between them. Crickett decides then and there that she will do everything in her power to help the tree giants touch again, to be one again. She just has to figure out how but she will no matter what. First she must introduce herself. She races across the street and to the lovely old elm tree to introduce herself.

Does she succeed in helping the Tree Giants? Well that is another story for another time.

THE END?