Maple Jack's Arc

Chapter 1 of 4

Maple Jack stood at the quiet corner and counted the days until Canada Day. He wanted every story of kindness inside him ready to share. His red bark trembled. Soon the children would come, and he would finally let his sparks fly. The striped red and white fence around him looked cheerful, but no small boots stood beside it. A stack of bright storybooks sat tucked against a post, left behind one cold winter long ago. Their covers were faded now. No one had come to read them in seasons. Inside Maple Jack, the pressure grew. Red sparks pushed against his branches like a swirling creature trying to escape. One leaf-shaped spark burst from a twig and spun in the air. It had nowhere to land. No ears were waiting. No eyes were watching. The spark hovered, then sank to the ground and dimmed. Maple Jack felt the truth settle hard. Canada Day was coming, the corner was ready, but the children were not here. He would have to find a way to call them back.