The Healing Fruits

A tree that bears magical fruits

There’s a terrible price to pay for anything that sounds too good to be true. So it was with the tree on the sprawling Buxton farm.

The Buxtons were a mild-mannered couple who kept to themselves most of the time. They were polite when they showed up to the weekly market with their produce. The farm had been with them for many generations and the Buxtons had done a remarkable job of maintaining it and even making sizable profits off their land.

Everyone only spoke of the magical tree. The largest apple tree in the land, the fruits, the size of bowling balls and leaves that glimmered like gold. Health and vigor radiated from every branch.

Legend had it that cider made from the apples of this tree had the power to heal the most incurable of disease.

Little Joan had cancer. Jon could not see her suffer. He mustered courage to take his girl to the farm. As they neared the front door, Jon shielded his frail child from the howling wind. Leaves and twigs swirled around them in a maniacal dance.

On the second knock, the door opened. The gentle face of Mr. Buxton peered out through large horn-rimmed glasses. No words were spoken as he let them in. He knew.

Mrs. Buxton appeared with a large flowery apron adorning her ample frame.

“You know the price?” she asked, without preamble.

“No…. bu…but…I’m ready for whatever it is,” Jon mumbled.

Mrs. Buxton glanced at her husband who nodded. He disappeared for a minute and came back with a large machete. Jon, jumped back in fear.

“You will be the main ingredient of the cider,” Mrs. Buxton said sweetly.