The White Tree
1270 Words
Long ago, in the town of Mapu, deep inside a wide and quiet forest, a strange tree suddenly grew. The tree was white, and its leaves were also white. When you look at it, you would know it was not an ordinary tree because of its unusual color. But the tree had an even bigger mystery: at night, it would transform into a woman.This woman was beautiful, tall, with long hair. Her hair, eyes, eyebrows, and even her skin were all perfectly white.
This white tree that becomes a woman at night was named Nhala. She could only take human form during the night because when sunlight hits her, her whole body turns dark. Also, when she is in human form, she must not be touched by rain or water, or her entire body becomes stiff like wood. Because of these dangers, Nhala can only freely wander at night. When morning comes, she must return to her place in the forest and turn back into a white tree.
Chapter 0.1: “The Day of the Fiesta in the Town of Mapu”
Every year on the first day of May, the people of Mapu celebrate their town festival. Everyone prepares for the event, decorating the streets and their homes with colorful lights. Families prepare food, and there is dancing and singing everywhere. All the people happily celebrate together.
That night, because the weather was good and there was no rain, Nhala decided to transform into her human form and visit the town to see the colorful lights. She loved lights of different colors and always enjoyed watching them.
To keep herself safe, she covered her whole body and face with a cloth so people would not notice her unusual appearance—white from head to toe.
After preparing, Nhala went to the town and walked around. Since it was the festival, fireworks lit up the sky. Nhala immediately noticed them and stopped walking, staring in amazement at the bright, beautiful colors.
While she was distracted, she didn’t notice a man riding a horse coming fast along the road. The man quickly stopped his horse just in time, so Nhala wasn’t hurt. But because of the shock, Nhala fell to the ground.
The rider immediately climbed down.
“Are you alright, miss?” he asked anxiously as he reached for her.
But when Nhala stood, the cloth covering her face slipped.
The man froze.
In that single heartbeat, as moonlight touched her exposed features, he saw her face—pale, flawless, luminous like a spirit in human form.
His breath caught. He felt something heavy and sudden crash into his chest, like falling in love without warning.
Nhala gasped, snatched the cloth, and covered herself again.
Then she ran.
The man recovered from his trance and chased after her, calling out,
“Wait! Miss, your cloth!”
Nhala didn’t stop.
She fled across the lantern-lit paths, the cloth slipping again, but she dared not turn back.
She reached a bridge and hurried beneath it, hiding beside the shallow river. Two fish—one golden, one red—swam together in slow circles. Their gentle movement calmed her racing heart.But her peace lasted only moments.
The man from earlier approached, breathing hard, holding the cloth she dropped. He stepped closer, trying to speak gently.
But Nhala startled and slipped—almost falling into the river.The man quickly grabbed her hand.
“Are you alright?” he asked softly.
“Let me go!” Nhala snapped, pulling her hand back.
“Forgive me,” he said, stepping away. “My name is Ken. And here—this is your cloth.”
He handed it back with lowered eyes, guilt clear on his face.
“I’m sorry for almost hitting you earlier,” he continued quietly. “And I’m sorry again for startling you just now.”
“It’s nothing,” Nhala replied. “I need to go.”
Ken frowned. “Just like that?
I nearly put you in danger twice tonight.
I can’t simply walk away and pretend nothing happened.”
“It was my fault too,” she insisted. “I was standing in the middle of the road.”
“Then at least allow me to make it up to you.”
“No need,” Nhala said firmly.
“I insist,” Ken replied. “Please… something. Anything.”
Nhala shook her head and attempted to walk past him, but Ken stepped aside only slightly.
“One condition,” he said softly. “Let me repay you.”
She sighed. “Fine. I forgive you.”
“That’s not enough,” he said.
“Ken,” she murmured, “we’re both at fault. Just let me pass.”
He paused, thinking, then smiled gently.
“Then… what if I give you a tour of the town? You can ride with me on my horse. I’ll treat you to food too.”
“Your horse?” she repeated, hesitant.
“Don’t worry,” Ken said. “He’s gentle. His name is Dandan.”
Nhala blinked. “Dandan?”
Ken chuckled. “Yes. My loyal companion.”
She glanced at the horse. Slowly, she reached out and touched its forehead. The horse lowered its head gently, as if greeting her.
Ken watched her with growing admiration. “Shall we go, miss?”
“…Nhala,” she answered softly. “My name is Nhala.”
Ken smiled. “Then come, Lady Nhala.”
Nhala hesitated only a moment before nodding. “I… I want to know how it feels to ride a horse.”
Ken’s face lit up. “Then let’s go.”
He carefully helped her onto the saddle, and soon they were riding through the glowing streets of Mapu.
Nhala’s eyes sparkled as she watched the dancing lights and the sky bursting with fireworks. Her laughter—light and quiet—seemed to blend with the music of the fiesta.
Ken, meanwhile, found himself stealing glances at her again and again, feeling warmth swell in his chest each time she smiled.
But then…
Nhala noticed the first faint drops of rain.
Her heart stopped.
Panic rose instantly—she could not get wet. She needed to escape.
“Ah—wait,” she said quickly.
“My necklace… I think I dropped it earlier.”
Ken immediately slowed the horse.
“Your necklace? Then we should go back and search for it.”
“No,” she said quickly. “Just leave me here. I feel a little dizzy.”
Concern clouded his face.
“If that’s so, stay here. I’ll go find it for you.”
He carefully helped her down, then quickly rode away to retrace their path.
The moment he disappeared from sight, Nhala fled.
She ran across the muddy road, through the tall grass, and straight back into the forest where she belonged.
Minutes later, Ken returned—soaked from the now-pouring rain—carrying a small necklace he had bought for her,to replace it her loss necklace and hoping it would comfort her.
But she was gone.His heart sank.
He searched. He searched everywhere—through every street, every corner of the village—even as the rain drenched him completely.
Dandan grew tired. Ken grew exhausted. Still, he refused to give up.
But no matter how far he looked, Nhala was nowhere.
Finally, shivering and defeated, Ken whispered into the rain:
“Oh, Lady Nhala…It seems I’ve fallen for you.”
He clutched the necklace tightly.
“If I must travel the whole world to find you again…then I will.”
to be continue..
- Writer
