I just need to figure out how I'm going to get out of here. When I fell, I twisted my ankle, and I had a deep cut going down my arm. Plus, I can tell I have a couple of bruises plus one on my head as well. I got a lot more injured than I first realized. I can't think of the pain I'm going through right now; I need to get out of here. I walk to the water hole and clean myself up a bit. It's cool and feels great against my skin. There are Sun flowers and thick branches at the bottom of the pool. I see one of the branches start to move up and out of the pool. I jump back in fright. The branch is just standing there not making any moves. I stare at it, watching, making sure it's not here to harm me or make problems.
After a couple of minutes passed I finally walk up to the root again. I put my hand out and touch it and it leans toward me. I smile. I could feel the pulse of life from it. It was great being able to feel so much energy from just the roots. The root quickly went to a point and poked her finger, sucking in a little blood before letting go, dropping a couple of drops into the pool.
"Oww, why would you do that." At that moment I felt a connection between the root and myself.
"I'm sorry for that but I needed to do that to be able to speak with you."
"Why do you want to speak with me?" I asked, making a confused face.
It laughed, "Silly child, I am the Ancestral Tree. On your birthday you will be sent to the temple to help there and be my personal helper. Well, that's what we'll be telling everyone. I am glad you found this place on your own, now we can talk privately. Please tell no one about this place or what happens here. I will be teaching you many things here that you need to keep to yourself for the time being." It spoke sternly. I felt very loyal to the tree and promised to keep this a secret.
"Don't worry. I was going to make this my personal private space anyway. My mother is always trying to take me places showing me off and my father just wants to keep me protected so I always seemed to have someone around me. It's nice to get away from it all." A small smile curves at the corner of my mouth.
"Well, I have plans for you as well, won't I be a burden to you?" The tree says half-jokingly.
"Do you want to be a burden to me?" I tease back.
It laughs again. "Haha, I want to be of help to you. I have a lot of knowledge I can pass down, so if you have any questions ask and I will do my best to answer."
"What do you mean questions?"
"The older you get the more you're going to want to know, so while we can, ask whenever and whatever."
I don't know why but I felt more at ease knowing the tree was going to always be there for me.
"Since you said I can ask you anything, do you know how I can get out of this hole?"
"I will make you a way out." There was a rumbling sound, and the ground and walls shook. After a couple of minutes, another hole opened, and the ground and walls stopped shaking.
"This tunnel will lead to a hollow tree. From now on, come and go through the opening of that tree. Make sure you cover up the hole you fell into."
I smile brightly at the tree root and take off to the opening to go back home before I get into trouble. I find the hole I fell into not too far away and quickly cover it with some fallen tree branches and leaves. I ran faster than I ever have back home. I spent too much time in my private place. I hope dad doesn't get too mad.
I had almost made it home when I heard dad screaming out my name and not too far from him, I could also hear my brothers. Crap he's not going to let me back outside for a long time. I picked up the pace and ran to dad.