Lace Roses for a Girl with Iris-colored Eyes
On the far side of the world, where the Sun rises, where the waves are breaking on the rocky shore, and the rain out of sakuras’ petals vies with majestic Fujiyama for its beauty, a brave warrior Isamu lived. His life was full of adventures and gests in honor and prosperity of the Emperor. In one of the fierce battles with the Water Dragon, whom he outfought, he was badly wounded. Sharp fangs of the beast made deep gashes on Isamu’s hand. And toxic salvia of marine amphibian got into deep wounds. The best Emperor’s doctors were curing the warrior, but could do nothing.
Isamu’s hands got weaken. He couldn’t already hold his sword and serve as before.
But the Emperor remembered the heroic deeds of his warrior. He presented him a house in a remote and beautiful hamlet of the country. And very soon the Fortune made Isamu one more present – he met beautiful Nobaru. She was so gorgeous as her name, which meant “wild rose”. Isamu loved his Nobaru so much, that he ordered to set up a miracle garden nearby their future family house.
There were both an alley of sakura, and a pond where carps lived. As time goes on, they grew to huge sizes, and, as Emperor’s fleet, shuttled between scarlet water-lilies. And of course, there were roses in the garden, which Nobaru loved so much. The couple often walked in the garden and listened to songs of wind.
It seemed that nobody in the whole world was happier. And very soon they found out that they were waiting for a baby-girl. She was born in winter, and color of her eyes was deep blue, as ocean waves in frost or as petals of flowers, which blossom in their garden. They called her Iama, that meant “iris flower”.
That year the winter was very severe and winds were blowing all days long. And by a twist of fate, having found the daughter, Isamu lost his wife. Nobaru caught a cold and was ill for a long time, but not a doctor could ever help her.
A house, where happiness had lived before, became quiet and empty. Isamu fell into grief, rambling across the rooms as black as thunder. He was scant of emotions and gave little attention to his daughter. And never took her in arms in rare moments while they played together. His arms disobey him. It was wages for victory over the Dragon. But little Iama was out of love and tender.
When spring came, the rose bushes blossomed. And Isamu started to spend all his time in the garden. Alone he was roaming around, sniffing the scent of roses and digging into happy flashbacks.
Once in the end of July, Isamu, full of sad thoughts, entered the garden at the crack of dawn. And passing by the pond, he saw water-lilies came into bloom as soon as sunlight reached the water face. A Spirit lived in one of the flowers. He just woke up and sweetly yawned. On seeing Isamu, the Spirit bowed.
Good morning, brave warrior, the Master of the beautiful garden. I am the Spirit of Change, and I want to express my deepest respect and gratefulness for your hospitality. I travel with Wind and every time, flying over Japan, stay in your splendid garden. This time I saw how water-lilies blossom. And in 4 days, as soon as lilies thrive off, I leave this place. But before saying good-bye I’d like to make a gift for you. Do you have something, that you wish most of all?
Return my Nobaru to me! – exclaimed Isamu at once.
I’m sorry, brave warrior, but the Spirit of Change cannot return past and gone. Now I’m in a hurry, to follow the sunrise, but tomorrow, with the first rays of sunlight, I’ll be waiting for you here. And I want to bring joy to you. Imagine, what a present it may be?
As soon as the sun was up, Isamu hurried to the garden again. And he met again the Spirit of Change in the flower on the pond’s surface.
I was thinking the whole day, — said the brave warrior. – Return the strength of my arms. Then I may serve to the Emperor again, and I’ll have the meaning of life again. My arms are so weak, that I even cannot hug my daughter.
I have to upset you once again, decent Master of miracle garden. This is beyond my skills to retrieve your health. But is it the point you are looking for the meaning of life? Your daughter needs her father’s love and hugs indeed. Come back tomorrow, and I hope, I can grant your wish. Listen to your heart!
The next break of day, Isamu hurried to the garden. He exactly knew what to ask.
Spirit of Change, you were right. I do not need deed of arms. My daughter is getting older without warmth of mother, and my weak arms do not allow me to give her father’s tender. Could you give me something that would help me to bring up my Iama, in order she may hear the song of my heart’s love?
I’m glad, brave warrior, that I may comply with your wish. This night the sky will sparkle with thousands lights of shooting star shower from my cousin’s constellation of Capricorn. But only one star will reach the Earth. That will be my present for you – a miracle piece of cloth, in which you may wrap your daughter. And Iama may stay on your arms as long as you wish. Tomorrow I leave your beautiful garden, following the wind. Farewell and be happy!
It all happened as the Spirit of Change said. One of the lights from star shower reached Isamu’s garden. And in the morning our mighty warrior found a long wrap near the pond. It was the same color as his daughter’s eyes – intense dark blue. And it was decorated with the lace of roses, his wife’s favorite flowers. The cloth was very tender; probably the Capricorn presented some of his soft wool.
The cloth wrapped itself, and Isamu could wear his Iama close to his heart, walking along the bushes of roses nearby the house, where the happiness came back.
Illustrated and written by:
Natalia Chernova