Chapter 51
Bits and pieces of words describing the variety of herbs made both of them dizzy. Markisah heard the soft whiny sounds of "too many..", hissings of "how about bushes on the north side.." and even "let's persuaded her to omit.." and laughed lightly. These spirit beasts were just too funny.
"Guys, I think I know one of the fruits she's looking for. Are you interested to know where?" Markisah chirped cheerily as she flew by and landed on a tree branch not far from Hana's two pets. She had a good impression on these odd 'brothers'. They've treated Hana like a precious fragile treasure that she was. Since she liked Hana a lot, she liked how they treated her so well. Hence, she planned to help them a little. Additionally, she was rather interested with the 'meal' they were talking about. The duo's reaction was a tad bit too unusual. It only served to intensify the curiosity of the inquisitive Markisah.
The two boys looked at each other for a short moment and finally asked the same question in sync, "Where?"
Feeling amused with their reactions, Markisah hopped down from the tree branch and landed on the dirt floor not far from the boys. She started to scratch away the dried leaves on top of the forest floor exposing an adequately clean dark earth. Then, she used her beak and draw something using her beak.
Surprisingly, this little bird started to draw a simple map! The brothers' jaw were wide open in surprise.
She continued scribbling lightly while being observed by the duo. Once it was done, she stopped and flew up a meter high to observe her handiwork before nodding in satisfaction.
"Currently we're here." Markisah landed down and drew an 'X' on the map.
"If you move directly towards the south-east region opposite this stream in a straight line, you'll reach my hometown. It's a really big tree. You won't miss it. We called it the Tri-colored World Tree. From there move south for a day in a straight line. You'll reach the coastal area. I've heard my friends told me tales of the coastal area in that region. I've heard of the fruit Hana mentioned before. I remembered they told me there was so much trees similar to what Hana called the 'Coconut Tree' over there." Markisah shrugged.
"However, normally, everyone prefers the green one, not the old brown one, though. The water inside tasted better." Markisah was truly confused with Hana's preference. She heard that the water from the green fruit tasted much sweeter than the one with the brown fruit. Since it was so hard to get, no intelligent bird would actually go for the brown one.
Both brothers kept quiet and conversed telepathically to discuss.
"Hmmph? What is this?" Suddenly a shadow came by from behind. It turned out Hana was finally awake from her sweet short nap. In
She asked Kuro, "Did you draw this, Ku-chan?"
Kuro shook his head in denial, [Nope, Mommy. It's the bird. She's telling us where the 'coconut' you mentioned is located.]
"Where is it?" Hana was slightly excited with the notion. Coconut trees are really useful in many ways, not just its fruit. Her hand fished for her smartphone and snapped the picture of the scribble.
[The bird said it's pretty far. I think it might take a few days from here. After all, not one of us could fly directly to the place. Kuro answered exasperatedly. Mommy, if you really want it, I can go. But, can you please wait and not cook anything without me present?] Kuro blinked cutely. He really couldn't stand it if s.h.i.+ro got fed with delicious things without him present. He had calculated in his mind the distance of the said location. It might actually take more than a week for him. After all, it was impossible for him to move in a straight line like a bird.
"Don't go." Hana's answer startled the animals in front of her. "If it's so far, there's no need. I want you to look around in this region slowly. I'm sure there'll be some although it won't be in cl.u.s.ters like at the beach." Hana realized she could listen to her favorite pet's thoughts as long as she concentrated hard enough. A week was too long for her. Just for the sake of one to two coconuts, she couldn't possibly make her lovable pet traveled so far! That would be child abuse!
Reading Hana's thoughts like an open book, Kuro was touched again. [It's okay, Mommy. It's not that far.]
"Nonsense. Let me think of a better way, okay." Using an imposing tone all mothers always use to exert dominance (although she was way weaker than a chicken), she stamped out Kuro's resistance in a flash. She tapped her index finger on her chin repeatedly while thinking.
"Markisah my good friend, I need your help. Do you know where I lived?"
The bird nodded while blinking her eyes. After all it was not a secret that Hana met her in front of Hana's cave dwelling.
"Can you place the location of the cave I lived in on the map? If there's any other notable location which you feel important, could you add it in?" She spoke hopefully. A map was the largest clue which could help her determine her location. She could try sending in through repeatedly until finally it'll be uploaded. Since the previous controversial picture could be uploaded, why not this one? Her brother Hadi would've find her location in a jiffy if her hubby couldn't.
The little bird hopped towards the previous map and added the location of Hana's cave inside. She then added more points at the surrounding that she knew, including her hometown. Her beak paused for a short while as she pondered, [Shall I point the location of the hidden valley?] After a short contemplation, she brushed it off from her mind. Nah. It's still too early. She still couldn't trust her new friend yet. After all, she had never even shared the location of her secret place with her other friends at her hometown.
Seeing how swift the little bird sketched the map for her, she felt extremely lucky. Who would've thought by befriending a bird, you could get a map? Hana could only thanked her own good luck happily.
Once the bird was done, she quickly snapped the picture of the map a few times, trying her hardest to make it the clearest.
"Thank you so much, little Markisah. Can I asked for another favor, please?" The shameless aunty started asking for the extra mile while grinning bashfully.
The little yellow bird made an extremely realistic exasperated expression and gave a nod after a moment.
"Do you know how a coconut tree looked like?"
Kuro answered on the bird's behalf. [She didn't know. She told us she had only heard of the fruit from her friends.]
"I see." Hana smiled and cleared a small portion of the forest floor just beside the completed map. She took a short stick and drew a double elongated line with long spines at the top. She added long droopy slightly curved leaves on the spines and a few circles where the spines and the elongated lines met.
"This is how a coconut tree should look like. The coconut trunk is long, thin and straight, with horizontal scars on the surface. It should be dark brown in color. And the top crown was full of long spines with green leaflets, also known as coconut fronds. The fruits are in a bunch. Some are green, some are brown. I need the brown ones. It'll be good to get a whole bunch. Please help me identify the tree as you fly around the top canopy. Naturally, I'll compensate you well once I've done cooking. Please?" Hana presented her most self-proclaimed award-winning smile she had. She couldn't believe she still needed to curry favor with the same bird for the second time. However, if thickening her own skin could net her the ingredients she needed, then why not? It's not like it'll be free.
After a short contemplation, the sweet bird nodded helplessly again, for the third time, "Alright. Let the snake follow me from ground. You guys just wait for us at your home. Once we got the fruits, we'll meet up at the cave."
Hana nodded happily. It was so worth it befriending intelligent animals around here. Life could never become easier than this!
Author's Note:
Map from Chapter 51 will be available in our Patreon account to the public on the day the chapter is unlocked to public/released on webnovel to commemorate our journey reaching the 5 series. Cheers guys! Weeeee~