Tumbleberrie's Arc

Chapter 1 of 6

Tumbleberrie stood in front of the mirror and adjusted their pink sweater. The annual cactus beauty pageant was only three weeks away. They had dreamed of winning since they were a tiny sprout. This year would be different. This year, they would beat all their garden rivals and take home the crown. The pageant would take place at the Hunky Dory town square. Tumbleberrie walked down the dirt path to see the setup. A large wooden stage stood in the center of the square. Colorful cacti and bright desert flowers covered the platform. The judges would stand right there, looking up at each contestant. Tumbleberrie's stomach fluttered. They touched one of the flowers on their head. Three weeks to get ready. Three weeks to become perfect. Behind the stage, workers set up a tan sandstone birdbath. A watering can sat beside it, filled to the brim. Contestants would use it to freshen up before the judges called their names. Tumbleberrie watched the water sparkle in the sunlight. They pictured themselves standing on that stage, flowers bright and sweater clean. The crown would sit on their head, right between their favorite blooms. The dream felt close enough to touch. All they had to do was work hard and stay focused. Nothing would stop them this year. Tumbleberrie walked toward the Annual Cactus Beauty Pageant Pavilion. The building rose up with walls decorated in desert flowers. This was where the competition would happen. Inside those walls, the judges would pick the winner. Tumbleberrie pushed open the door and stepped inside. Rows of benches faced a raised platform at the front. The stage stretched wide enough for ten contestants to stand side by side. Tumbleberrie climbed the steps and stood in the center. They looked out at the empty benches and took a deep breath. In three weeks, this room would be full. In three weeks, everyone would see them win.