A young Adam rested under the oak tree, leaning his back against the trunk and taking shelter under it.
It was a warm sunny day, and the shade under the oak tree felt especially refreshing. However, there wasn't a pleasant expression on the boy's face.
He hugged his bruised knees, bringing them close to his chest, and silently sobbed. As pearls of tears trickled down his cheeks, he mumbled, "Why won't they let play?"
The young boy wiped his tears, but more fell. "They're so an!"
Suddenly, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He panicked as he knew that his mother was coming.
He quickly wiped the tears and snot away and pretended to sleep.
Adam's mother, wearing a long and loose-fitting gown that reached to her knees, walked towards him with her hands hidden behind her back.
Her expression suddenly shifted when she noticed the fresh bruises on her son's elbows and knees, as well as his swollen right cheek and reddened ear.
The woman's dark eyes, which greatly resembled Adam's, flashed with imnse sorrow. She knew that her frail and timid son would get bullied by the kids in town every ti he went there.
Her lips quivered for a brief second, but soon she forced a radiant smile. "Adam, Mama has brought sothing for you."
Adam's eyelids trembled ever so slightly. But he still pretended to be asleep.
"I know you're awake," said the woman, taking a step closer.
The raven-haired boy opened his right eye just a little bit and pursed his lips. "What is it, Mama?"
"Did you go to town again?" Asked the woman, her voice laced with concern.
"No?" Adam lied sheepishly. "I've been here all day."
"Then where did you get those bruises?" The woman sat down beside her son, gently running her hand through his ssy raven hair.
"I, uhm…" Adam's eyes darted around as a drop of sweat trickled down the side of his forehead. "Yes! I fell down!"
The woman gently hugged him and softly said, "You don't have to lie to ."
The mont he heard those words, a proverbial damn broke inside Adam's heart and all his emotions ca pouring out.
Tears stread down his face yet again, and he started to cry. "Mama, those kids are very bad! I just wanted to play with them, and they… and they…"
"Hush now, my dear boy." The woman gently patted Adam's back. "It's okay. I'm sure they didn't an it."
"Then why do they bully every ti I want to play with them?" Adam cried out loud. "They an it, Mama, they really do!"
"Don't cry now, you're a big boy." The woman gently reprimanded. "Big boys don't cry."
"Mhmm!" Adam tried to forcefully stop his tears from flowing, but his heart just wouldn't listen.
"I brought sothing for you," said the woman, her voice gentle and full of love.
Adam wiped his tears away and excitedly asked, instantly forgetting about the pain in his heart, "What is it? What is it?"
The woman brought her hand forward and presented the boy with a white flower. She smiled gently and said, "This is a daffodil."
"What does it do?" Adam grasped the flower with both hands. "Can we eat it?"
The woman started to chuckle, "No, silly, you can't eat it."
She then gently explained, "These flowers grow by the nearby pond only during springti."
"Mama, why does this flower only grow there? And only in spring?" The boy asked with a tilt of his head.
"They're special," said the woman, gently stroking Adam's head. "They only bloom when the cold has passed and the earth is ready to wake up again."
"So… they sleep during winter?" Adam asked with a silly chuckle. He brought the flower close to his face and took a light sniff. "Wahh! It slls nice, Mama!"
"Yes." His mother nodded with a warm smile. "These flowers sleep through the winter. And when spring cos, the daffodils wake up. That is why they an hope."
"Hope?"
"Hmm." The woman nodded. Her eyes turned slightly teary when she recalled the hardships she and her family were currently facing.
Her next words were as much of a comfort to herself as they were to her beloved son. "They remind us that no matter how long the darkness lasts, warmth will return. Things will always get better even after the harshest winter."
Adam pulled the white daffodil close to his heart and spoke softly, "Okay, Mama! Then I'll keep this one… so it can give hope."
…
Mounted atop Luna, Adam and Valerian arrived at the edge of the golden field of wheat crops.
His eyes moistened when he recalled that mory of his mother buried deep inside his heart.
"Brother…" Valerian called out to him. He could feel Adam's emotions deeply and couldn't help but feel emotional as well.
"We're here, Val," Adam revealed a faint smile and got off the horse. He gently patted Luna's head and whispered, "Go for a stroll, girl. Co find later."
The Night Mare nudged her head against Adam, deeply looking into his eyes. Then she departed, galloping towards the vast fields in the distance.
Adam took a deep breath and began walking towards the oak tree. His strides were slow, and he found himself involuntarily clutching his fists.
As he walked across the andering path through the field of wheat crops, his breathing turned heavy. His shoulders trembled ever so slightly, and an invisible weight started to bear down on his heart.
Valerian remained silent as he followed alongside his brother. He had never seen his brother like this before. Young as he was, the dragon understood how much this place ant to his brother. Thus, he didn't utter a word and simply followed along.
Big boys don't cry! Adam recalled his mother's words as he tried his best to stop his tears from flowing. He took deep breaths, trying to control the raging emotions inside his heart.
A few minutes later, he arrived beside the oak tree. It looked the sa as before. Nothing had changed.
He silently stood before his parents' grave, his lips quivering and his heart churning with boundless emotions.
A gentle gust of wind blew by, causing the hems of his clothes to flutter gracefully. The wind caused the leaves on the ground to swirl around him in a beautiful dance.
The raven-haired youth took off his pointy hat and longingly gazed at his parents' grave.
The weight beca too much to bear, and at last, tears began to stream down his face.
"Mother, father…" He muttered softly.
"I'm ho."
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