The Palace Inside the Pit
The obedient fox has a little boy with golden hair. Although he isn’t really that little, he’s already thirteen years old. He has a pair of curious, intelligent, and very cute big eyes, and his name is David.
David has a not-so-good habit: he likes to collect fruit pits.
It was a cool autumn afternoon, with the sun shining brightly. The obedient fox decided to buy some fruits. At a small stall in the fruit market, she found her son, David.
David was dressed very smartly, looking like a little gentleman from a foreign country. He was staring at a chubby middle-aged man who was munching on an apple, and David was watching him intently with his face upturned.
The obedient fox was extremely embarrassed. She quickly walked over and grabbed David. The obedient fox said, “David, come with me!” David said, “No, wait a bit longer!”
The middle-aged man took out a big, red apple from a plastic bag: “Here, take it!” David shook his head and said, “No, I want your apple core.”
“Oh!” the obedient fox groaned in pain.
She was at her wit’s end regarding her son David’s eccentricity. She had consulted many psychologists, and they said it was nothing to worry about!
The obedient fox found it unbelievable. What kind of spell was her son under?
The obedient fox opened a drawer, inside was a full envelope of fruit pits. She poured the pits onto the table and stared blankly at the plump seeds… Suddenly, she was astonished. A beautiful little house appeared in front of her.
The house was entirely wooden, emitting a special scent, like the sweet aroma of apples. Surrounding the house was a well-maintained lawn, adorned with colorful flowers. Naughty morning glories climbed up the windowsills, seemingly blooming inside the rooms.
The obedient fox saw a few wild rabbits hopping around joyfully. Oh, there should be a fence around here, she thought.
The obedient fox slowly approached one of the small houses, hesitatingly raised her right hand. She didn’t know if she would be welcome. Some people never want to be disturbed. However, strong curiosity and temptation made her determined.
Tap, tap, tap. The sound was very light and slow.
“Come in, the door is ajar!” a cheerful voice responded.
The obedient fox pushed open the door. Oh, the room was filled with flowers. Strangely, the walls and ceiling were also covered with flowers.
A boy, about the same age as her son, sat on a chair made of a heap of flowers. The chair was entwined with high grass. Oh, can it support him? the obedient fox wondered.
The boy, as handsome as her son, but more mature and steady, warmly said, “Welcome, guest from afar!” The boy pointed to a morning glory and said, “Please sit!”
The obedient fox looked at the flower, then at the boy, puzzled. She thought, “I’m sure I’ll fall flat!” The boy seemed to read her mind and repeated with a smile, “Please sit!”
The obedient fox cautiously sat down. She felt her body light as a feather, as if she was flying.
The obedient fox asked, “Are you alone?”
The boy said, “Yes!”
“Aren’t you lonely?” the obedient fox stammered, afraid her question might offend him.
The boy said, “No, no, no, I don’t feel lonely. You see, I’m busy!”
The boy’s room was filled with small boxes, as small as fruit pits. Around the small boxes were thermometers, test tubes, spray bottles, small shovels, and knives.
“Are you a scientist? Or are you conducting some interesting experiment?” the obedient fox asked.
“This is my life. Every day, I nurture these magical seeds. They are little dreams!” the boy said enthusiastically.
A person living in a dream, the obedient fox thought.
The boy said, “Do you think my room is beautiful?”
The obedient fox said, “Very beautiful, more beautiful than a palace!”
All the world’s beautiful natural scenery was gathered here. The obedient fox heard a dripping sound and asked, “What’s that sound?” The boy said, “Dripping cliffs!” Behind the thick walls were cliffs covered in green moss. They were completely concealed by flowers and plants, making them invisible.
The boy said, “You see, these small seeds are also little rooms, as beautiful and lovely as my room.”
The obedient fox had no reason to disbelieve but had one more question: “Is every fruit pit filled with such wonderful scenery?” The boy said, “Yes, but you must have magical eyes; otherwise, you see nothing!”
The obedient fox rubbed her eyes hard. Alas, she only saw ordinary fruit pits.
The obedient fox didn’t believe it was a dream. She took out a paper cutter and gently sliced open a fruit pit. Oh, some bright juices flowed out, like tears. The obedient fox felt a bit disappointed.
The obedient fox felt a gentle push, and she returned to her room. She looked at the plump seeds and thought: one of them is very familiar to me.
Back home, she said to her son David, “Look, I brought you something!” David took the envelope: “Oh, fruit pits!” The obedient fox had a few hidden in her pocket. For the first time, she had a selfish thought.
Yes, such beautiful dreams, if her son could have them, she should have them too! The obedient fox thought happily.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
