Deep in the
autumn forest was a sleepy little place called Maple town. Maple town was
famous for two things, Maple syrup and originality.
In Maple
town there was a man named Nathan. Nathan was an old drunk who had two sons who
he loved even more than he loved his Maple flavored scotch, which was a lot.
Nathan’s children were named Wyatt and Felix. The two boys were seventeen and
fourteen. Wyatt had shaggy black hair, was tall and lanky and had olive toned
skin. Felix had light brown hair, short but athletic and had similar skin tone.
The two boys had different hobbies and interests and while Felix preferred to
be active, Wyatt likes to take things slow and easy. One of the things the boys
always agreed on was their love of autumn and the Autumn Carnival.
The Autumn
Carnival was unusual because many carnivals took place in spring or summer.
Autumn usually only had harvest festivals but once a year the magical and rare
Autumn Carnival was open for a week and only a week. The owner of the carnival
didn’t advertise or try to build hype, he just set everything up and people
came. The carnival became popular through word of mouth but was kept a secret
from the other lands.
It was the
day of the grand opening of the Autumn Carnival and there was already a crowd
at the entrance. Nathan and his two sons walked up over a large hill to get a
better view of the carnival before they went in. Pale green grass stretched out
for miles, the Autumn Carnival sat in the open field with a forest of colorful
trees behind it. Red, orange and yellow trees swayed in the pleasant breeze.
The carnival sign stood tall over the grounds. “Autumn Carnival” was written in
bright lights. The sign itself was orange and brown with tints of yellow.
Orange, red, yellow, brown, black and purple decorated the various rides and signs.
From the view on top of the grassy hill the Father and his sons could see a
giant Ferris wheel along with many strange and exciting looking rides poking
out from behind the Carnival gates and went up past the main entrance sign.
Nathan had
a sparkle in his eye as he approached the Carnival. He remembered when he used
to visit when he was a kid and now he was overjoyed to be able to take his kids
to the same place he enjoyed so much. Nathan had been to the Autumn Carnival
almost thirty times in his life and his children had been more than ten times,
but every year they were just as excited, as they were the first time they
visited.
Wyatt and Felix ran ahead when they saw the
carnival gates, which had large metal gates with a pumpkin symbol on each gate
door. Outside of the carnival walls was a variety of snack stands and local
businesses selling their homemade and home grown goods. Homemade pie, fresh
apples and of course more maple syrup than any one man could drink. Wyatt and
Nathan always got fresh Maple lollipops before they went into the carnival but
Felix insisted that he get an apple cider donut instead.
The three
nibbled their treats as they waited for the Carnival to open. The rolling field
and fall colored forest looked beautiful during the day, but the carnival
wasn’t open till night. Waiting for the grand opening was half of the fun.
While people waited they sampled various foods and listened to musicians play
soft melodies and festive tunes.
Wyatt and
Felix walked around the outside of the carvival. As they walked the talked
about the rides they wanted to go on and tried to guess what new attractions
the carnival would have. Every year the carnival added new rides and shows. The
least popular attractions would be taken away or temporarily retired and the
fan favorites would stick around. In the fifty years that the Autumn Carnival
in business the only attraction to stay every year was the ferris wheel. It was
a central attraction and the shape of the ferris wheel towering up above
everything else was iconic. When people thought of the Autumn Carnival they
always remembered how it looked from the outside, big bright sign, colorful
banners, big walls and a towering ferris wheel.
Night crept
in and as the light from the sun dimmed and flickered out, lights from the
carnival began to glow brighter and brighter. The chattering and music quieted
to a hush. Everyone sat in silence as they waited for what happened next.
A man in a
black suit and black top hat stepped up onto the sign about the Carnival
entrance. “Hello good people of the autumn forest!” Called the man. Just as he
spoke a spotlight was turned on him. “For those who are new, I am Charles
Orchard the owner of the Autumn Carnival. And to those who have been here
before, Welcome back my friends I think this year will be the most exciting one
yet” Said Mr. Orchard. The crowd cheered. Then fireworks lit up the sky.
Booming explosions in the night sky, sending out colors of every kind. When the
fireworks stopped a band began to play and the doors to the carnival opened.
People
rushed in, excitement was on the face of every adult and child. Wyatt and Felix
had been off walking to pass the time so when the gates opened they were just
barely getting back to their father. Nathan smiled “Ready boys?” He asked. The
two boys nodded and they all walked toward the carnival. Already a long line
was forming. People in the front bought tickets and then were let into the
carnival. There were many ticket sellers but there were so many people that some
people had to wait.
Wyatt
looked at the towering ferris wheel as it stood motionless. It was covered in
white lights that twinkled like the stars. The ferris wheel wasn’t moving yet
but the lights rotated in such a way that it first glance it looked like the
ride was already in motion. Wyatt loved how the darkness of night contrasted
with the bright lights and colorful rides in the carnival. Felix just liked
looking at pretty colors.
Soon the
lines moved along and the family of three got their tickets and entered the
carnival. Immediately they saw autumn tree in the center of the carnival. On
just that one tree there were shades of green, yellow, orange and red. The
green started at the bottom and changed gradually as it went up. Wyatt doubted
it was a real tree because it was so big, it was almost taller than the large
walls around the carnival and also he had never seen one tree with so many
colors so evenly spaced. Yet the tree did look real and leaves occasionally
fell off when a strong wind blew.
The tree was in the center of the
carnival, the carnival was broken up into sections and called ‘Roots’ because
they all led back to the tree. The carnival entrance was in the south root, the
ferris wheel and the adult rides were in the north root, the west root had the
food and souvenirs, and the east root was children rides and games that give
out prizes.
Nathan
stood under the tree and marveled at the beautiful sight. A large autumn tree
so full of color surrounded by bright lights and soft music. “We are going to
go on some rides” Said Wyatt to his father. “Oh ok boys, have fun” Said Nathan
as he stared up at the tree.
Felix and
Wyatt shrugged and walked off to the east root. Nathan was always a weird guy
so his fascination with the tree didn’t phase his two boys. “What do you wanna
do first?” Felix asked excitedly. “Well first we need to win some prizes. Its
been a whole year since last time, and this time I am going to win something! I
just know it!” Said Wyatt sounding very determined.
Wyatt and
Felix always used the excuse of trying to win prizes to go to the east root and
while Felix might honestly want to win a prize, Wyatt always went because he
missed the days when he got to ride the child rides. Wyatt never won any prized
but he always tried his best and always got Felix excited in the process but
while he took his time ‘deciding on a game’ he was actually feeling nostalgic
when he saw old familiar rides and felt a little jealous when he saw cool new
rides that he would never be able to experience.
While some
would say the east root was filled with kids rides and cheap games, Wyatt would
say the east root was filled with memories.
Good Detail and i like how the sections were named after roots. Good Job :D
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