1/3/12
The winter was a difficult time of complex emotions for Ursula. On one hand, she missed Boris terribly. After she was used to him coming to keep her company every day, it was incredibly lonely to spend every day in the cold grove. She had her family nearby to keep her company, but it wasn’t the same. She also was apprehensive about Boris’ promise. What if he didn’t come back? What if he decided to move on? She also got very mad at herself for having such doubts, and as the spring time came, she decided to take care of herself, glow with the anticipation of Boris’ homecoming, and take in as many of the sun’s rays as possible. And because it was love that moved her, she was more capable than usual.
Springtime came, and as all apple trees do, Ursula began to bloom. But it wasn’t just any bloom this year, her branches were absolutely glowing with more pastel pink blossoms than any other tree in the orchard. She was so fragrant, that she caught the attention of the farmer, who could smell the apple blossoms from nearly a quarter mile away at his house. The farmer walked over to the tree, shaking his head with delight, “That is going to be some tree this year.”
All that was left was for Ursula to wait, and wait…and wait.
It was nearly May, and there was no sign of Boris the bear. Ursula began to feel a sense of despair. Her blossoms began to wilt and were starting to blow off of her branches. Her father, tried to cheer her up.
“Dear Ursula, do not worry. You are looking so beautiful, and you have all of us to lean on. You should be so proud, look how many blossoms you grew this year. You look so healthy and are the farmer’s pride.”
Ursula appreciated the support, but it did little good, as she had her heart broken by the bear.
But just as she was about to give up all hope, Boris came slowly meandering down the hill.
“Boris, I can’t believe it’s you! You made it!” Ursula exclaimed.
Boris picked up his pace down the hill, “Yes, I told you I would return in the springtime.”
Ursula was a little saddened and embarrassed that her blossoms were already wilting and starting to blow away, “Oh, I hoped you would make it, sorry I’m looking a little bit of a mess.”
Boris didn’t mind, he was an apple-eating bear, and all that really mattered to him would be the fall bounty.
“I stayed as long as I could in New Zealand to load up on some delicious apples. The fall was extraordinarily long. I hope you don’t mind. Besides, I wanted to come back a little later so there would at least be some cherries to eat, while I’m waiting for those delicious apples.” Boris said.
“Yes, the cherries will be ready soon as well. I’m just glad you’re here to keep me company, I missed you so much.” Ursula proclaimed.
“I missed you too.” Boris said, and he nuzzled up against her trunk and fell asleep.
The rest of the summer was a fairytale for Ursula. She enjoyed Boris’ company, and as a result of the love she felt, she was prepared to deliver a bountiful harvest of apples. Boris on the other hand, enjoyed her company, but was more excited about the apple feast he was about to enjoy.
And by August, the apples started to drop, one by one. They were some of the most delicious apples ever produced in the orchard. Boris indulged until he was full every day. There were more than enough for the farmer’s market as well. And the sweet succulent apples certainly got the attention of the farmer and his pickers.
“This might be the best apple I have ever tasted. I don’t know what we did with this particular tree, but we have to find a way to clone it.” The farmer said. Little did he know the secret ingredient was love.
After indulging on the feast of apples that Ursula gave him, he knew he had made his decision. This was the tree he was going to take back home to repopulate the planet with. He approached Victor and said, “Victor, as you know, I’ve been coming here every day since spring to enjoy the apples in this orchard. The apples your Ursula produces are marvelous, really the best ones that I’ve ever had. And, I wanted to get your permission to take Ursula back to my home planet to repopulate the world with apple trees.”
Victor, experiencing a combination of shock and disgust replied, “Wait a minute. First of all, if you enjoy her apples so much, why are you taking her from this world? Why don’t you just keep returning here in the fall? Second of all, my daughter loves you dearly, and all you care about are the apples she produces? I can’t allow you to take her from everything she knows and break her heart like this.”
“Well luckily,” Boris replied, “it’s not up to you. You are just a tree, stuck in the ground. I am a smart bear. I can take her away and there is nothing you can do about it. “
“Well you can’t be all that smart,” Victor replied, “after all, it’s the love that she assumed you were giving that has made her produce so much. Once she finds out this has all been a farce, she will be crushed.”
“Well let’s ask Ursula what she wants, and if she wants to come with me to my home planet, I hope you will respect her wishes.” Boris protested.
Victor knew that this was an argument that would go no further. If in Ursula’s heart she wanted to go with Boris, there would be nothing he could say to stop her. So Boris walked away from Victor, and towards Ursula to make his proposal.
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