The Cherry Tree
Scene 1: The Long Walk
Ishi Ishi walks down a winding dirt path leading away from Shibaville. The road stretches into rolling green hills, eventually disappearing into a misty forest where the Cherry Garden lies.
Ishi Ishi (grumbling): “Why does the Cherry Garden have to be so far away? Every year, miles and miles of walking, just for some cherries… Why can’t we just have apple pie this year?”
He sighs and tightens his grip on his wooden staff, the Caduceus, which has two active serpents—one red-eyed, one blue-eyed —coiled around it. The sibling snakes begin arguing, as usual.
Ani (the blue-eyed snake): “Because tradition is important! The cherry pie represents prosperity and unity!”
Shisu (the red-eyed snake): “Blah, blah, blah. I say let’s just pick some apples from the village and be done with it.”
Ishi Ishi (rolling his eyes): “I don’t need a debate, I need a shortcut.”
Just then, he spots a cherry tree standing oddly alone by the side of the road. The cherries gleam in the sunlight, rich and ripe.
Ishi Ishi (suspiciously): “Wait a second… There wasn’t a tree here before.”
The snakes bicker louder, making it impossible for Ishi Ishi to focus. Frustrated, he shakes his head.
Ishi Ishi: “You know what? Forget it. Cherries are cherries. I’m not walking another five miles.”
He uses the snakes to pluck the cherries, stuffing them into his backpack before heading back to the village.
Scene 2: The Plot Unfolds
Meanwhile, deep in the shadows of the forest, General Yuki, a cunning silver-furred macaque with piercing blue eyes, watches from behind a bush. Beside him stands his hulking assistant, Big Yama, a massive but dim-witted gorilla with muscles for brains.
General Yuki (grinning wickedly): “Foolish dogs. Just as planned…”
He gestures toward the tree they planted – with cherries laced with a fast-acting poison that will make every Shiba sick.
Big Yama (scratching his head): “Boss, why not just take over the village instead of all this sneaky stuff?”
General Yuki (exasperated): “Because, my simple friend, we must break their spirits first. Once the village is weak, they will have no choice but to surrender to my rule!”
Big Yama nods as if he understands, though he clearly doesn’t.
Scene 3: The Poison Takes Hold
Back in Shibaville, Ishi Ishi eagerly prepares the cherry pies. The village square fills with the scent of the warm pastry, drawing Shibas and Shibalings alike.
As the first bites are taken, joy turns to horror. One by one, Shibas clutch their stomachs, their eyes growing heavy.
An elder Shiba (weakly): “Something… is wrong…”
Ishi Ishi’s heart pounds as he watches his friends collapse.
Ishi Ishi (panicked): “No, no, no—this can’t be happening!”
He applies some potion over a sick Shiba, attempting to use its healing abilities. Nothing happens. The poison is too strong.
Scene 4: Kashi’s Vision
At the Palace of Tranquility, the wise and serene Kashi, the mystical guardian of Shibaville, sits in meditation. A golden aura surrounds him. Suddenly, his peaceful expression tightens.
A butterfly, carrying a fragment of Kashi’s consciousness, flutters across the village, unseen. It hovers near General Yuki and Big Yama, who are laughing in the forest.
General Yuki: “And now, to ensure they stay sick, we must destroy the Blissful Flower – the only cure!”
The butterfly zips away and returns to Kashi, who gasps as his consciousness snaps back into his body.
Just then, Ishi Ishi bursts into the palace, breathless.
Ishi Ishi: “Master Kashi! Everyone is sick”
Kashi (calmly): “I know, young one. General Yuki is behind this. The antidote – the Blissful Flower – grows in the Zen Garden, but he is already on his way to grab and destroy it.”
Ishi Ishi: “Then I have to stop him!”
Kashi places a paw on Ishi Ishi’s shoulder.
Kashi: “I will tend to the sick. You must retrieve the Blissful Flower before it’s too late.”
Scene 5: Battle at the Zen Garden
The Zen Garden is a sacred place of harmony, with crystal-clear ponds and delicate stone pathways. At its heart blooms the Blissful Flower, glowing softly with an inner light.
Ishi Ishi arrives just in time to see General Yuki and Big Yama standing over the flower, ready to rip it from the earth.
Ishi Ishi: (With a commending voice) “Step away from the flower, Yuki!”
General Yuki (smirking): “Ah, pitiful little chef. You should be home, baking your failures.”
Big Yama lunges at Ishi Ishi. Thinking quickly, Ishi Ishi swings his Caduceus, and the two snakes extend, wrapping around Yama’s legs. With a twist, he sends the brute tumbling into a koi pond.
Big Yama (panicking…): “Boss! Help!”
General Yuki unleashes his lance, engaging Ishi Ishi in a fast-paced duel. Sparks fly as staff clashes against blade.
Just as Yuki starts gaining the upper hand, Ishi Ishi smirks.
Ishi Ishi: “You forgot one thing, General.”
Ani, the blue-eyed snake, suddenly bites Yuki’s hand, making him scream. Ishi Ishi seizes the moment to grab the Blissful Flower and sprint back toward the village.
Scene 6: The Cure and the Celebration
Back in Shibaville, Kashi has done his best to slow the effect of the poison, but the villagers are still weak. Ishi Ishi rushes in, crushing the petals of the Blissful Flower into a tea.
One by one, the Shibas regain their strength. Eyes brighten.
An elder Shiba: “You saved us, Ishi Ishi.”
Ishi Ishi sighs in relief, only now realizing how exhausted he is.
Ishi Ishi (grinning): “Next year, we’re making apple pie.”
The village erupts in laughter, and under the stars ofShibaville, they celebrate…