The Tree of Harmony

Acknowledgements

Thanks as always to God for making this possible. Without his blessings, this would not have been possible.

Thanks to my wife Iris Roman who continue to support me and be by my side.

About the Author

As one of eleven boys, Karim’s life in Ghana changed dramatically after his mother passed away. He was just eight years old. He went to live with an uncle and his conscientious studying paid off with a scholarship to the University of Damascus. Ever since he was a teenager in Ghana in the early 1970s, Ali Karim was fascinated by the United States. But it would be another forty years, in his late fifties and thousands of miles travelled all over the world before he would make it to the USA and become a citizen. His journey to the USA took him to Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Iran, China and Japan before finally arriving in 2004. Six years later, he met the ‘amazing 1199 member’ who would become his wife. She encouraged him to get a job at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. He started as a housekeeper and studied to become a Patient Care Associate. Since working at Mt. Sinai, he has committed himself to providing empathic care to all he comes into contact with patients, families and co-workers.

Table of Contents

1. The Kalanchoe Tribe

2. The Cursed Town

3. Lily & the Magic Castle

4. The Mystical Forest

5. The Adventurer

6. The Town of Maplewood

7. Angels of Change

8. The Queen & the Crystal

9. The Harvest Festival

10. Society of Adventures

11. Lyra’s Legacy

12. The Wizard & the Village

13. Elsie The Forest Keeper

14. The Knights of Altria

15. The Old Man & the Puppy

16. Tilly the Mischievous Fairy

17. The Ancient Cult

18. Peter, The Park Ranger

19. Katie the Adventurer

20. Aziz & the Creatures

21. The Explorers

22. The Tree of Harmony

23. Lily the Forest Guardian

24. The Fountain of Inspiration

25. The Pursuit of Knowledge

26. Luna the Unicorn

27. Sammy & Oliver

28. Amelia

29. The Forest of Dreams

30. Alice & the Star Map

1.  The Kalanchoe Tribe

The sun was setting behind the tall mountains, casting a beautiful orange and pink hue over the small village nestled at their base. The inhabitants of the village, the Kalanchoe tribe, were busy preparing for their annual harvest festival, and the women adorned themselves in colorful dresses and adorned their hair with flowers, while the men prepared various delicacies and brewed their famous homemade ale.

As the night drew closer, the entire village gathered around the central bonfire. The drums started beating, and the villagers danced in a synchronized manner, swaying to the rhythmic beats of the instruments. The aroma of the delicious food wafted in the air, enticing the senses of everyone present.

Suddenly, the drums stopped, and everyone turned their attention towards the elder of the tribe, who had been silent all this while. The elder, a man of great wisdom and experience, had something important to say. He spoke of the need to protect their land and the importance of living in harmony with nature. He reminded them of the ancient stories that had been passed down from generations, stories that held the secrets of their tribe’s past and the path towards their future.

The villagers listened intently to his words, reflecting on their past mistakes and the need to make amends. The festival continued, but the words of the elder lingered in their minds, leaving a lasting impact that would shape their future. They all danced the night away, their hearts and souls filled with hope and a renewed sense of purpose.

As the night ended, the villagers returned to their homes, tired but content. They knew that the journey ahead wouldn’t be easy, but they were ready to face whatever challenges came their way, united as one.

The next morning, the village woke up to a pleasant surprise, the nearby river, which had been dry for many months, was now flowing with clear water. The villagers, who relied on the river for their daily needs, were overjoyed. They knew that the river’s revival was a sign of good fortune, a reward for their commitment to living in harmony with nature.

As the day progressed, the villagers went about their daily routines, but there was a renewed sense of energy and purpose in everything they did. The women tended to their farms, while the men went hunting. The children played outside, splashing in the river and enjoying the bounties of nature.

However, amidst all the merriment, there was a faint feeling of unrest. A group of outsiders had arrived at the village, and they didn’t seem friendly. They had rough looks and carried sharp weapons, and their intentions were unclear. The elder of the tribe gathered the villagers and spoke to them with a grave expression. He told them of the outsiders and the need to be cautious. He reminded them of the importance of protecting their land and their way of life.

The villagers listened intently, fear creeping into their hearts. They knew they were a peaceful tribe and didn’t want any trouble, but they also knew that they couldn’t let anyone harm their way of life.

As the sun began to set, the outsiders made their move. They attacked the village, setting fire to the fields and homes, and causing chaos and destruction. The villagers fought back with all their might, but they were outnumbered and outmatched. Just when all seemed lost, a miracle happened. From amidst the smoke and flames, a group of travelers appeared, riding on horseback.

They were unlike any outsiders the villagers had seen before. They were dressed in intricate robes, and their weapons were adorned with jewels. But what was most striking about them was the aura of power and authority that surrounded them.

The leader of the travelers stepped forward, his eyes scanning over the chaos. He whistled loudly, and his companions followed him. In an instant, they charged at the invaders, their swords flashing in the firelight.

The villagers watched in awe as the travelers fought the invaders with a ferocity that left them stunned, and the leader himself battled the enemy chief, his moves graceful and precise. The battle raged on for what seemed like hours, but eventually, the invaders were defeated, and the travelers had emerged victorious, and the village had been saved.

The villagers couldn’t thank the travelers enough. They invited them to the village and showed them their hospitality, feeding them with the choicest of foods and treating them with utmost respect.

The leader of the travelers introduced himself as Zephyrus, a descendant of a noble tribe that had once lived in the region. He explained that he and his companions were on a mission to restore peace and order in the land.

The villagers were in awe of Zephyrus and his companions. They knew their village was blessed to have been saved by these noble warriors. And so, they honored them in the best way possible. They threw a grand feast in their honor, inviting all the neighboring villages and tribes. And thus, the Kalanchoe Harvest Festival became an event that was celebrated throughout the land, a symbol of unity and hope.

Zephyrus and his companions basked in the adoration and respect of the villagers, knowing that their mission of restoring peace and order had just begun. Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Zephyrus and his companions had stayed on in the village, helping the villagers with their daily chores and training them in the art of war.

Zephyrus, in particular, became close to the villagers, especially the elder of the tribe. He listened intently to the stories of the past and the challenges that plagued the tribe, and he offered his guidance and support in every way possible.

Under his tutelage, the villagers became skilled warriors, proficient in both attack and defense. They built strong defenses around the village, making it almost impregnable. They also explored new ways of farming, harnessing the power of nature to increase their yield.

Zephyrus and his companions had become a constant presence in the village, guiding the villagers through each day and providing them with hope and inspiration. The villagers, in turn, loved and respect the travelers, seeing in them a source of strength and stability.

The harvest festival came again, and this time, it was even grander than the last. The villagers had much to be thankful for, and they celebrated with a renewed sense of energy and joy.

As the night went on, the elder of the tribe stood up once more, addressing the villagers with a solemn expression. He spoke of the progress that they had made, the challenges they had overcome, and the hope that they held for the future.

And then, in a surprising move, he looked towards Zephyrus and his companions, and he gave them a special honor. He named them as the protectors of the village, entrusting them with the responsibility of guarding the land and its people. Zephyrus and his companions were taken aback by the gesture, but they knew it was a great honor. They pledged their allegiance to the village, promising to do everything in their power to protect it from harm.

The villagers cheered, knowing that they had the best protectors that they could hope for. And as the night wore on, they danced and sang, their hearts filled with love and joy. For they knew they were blessed to be part of a peaceful and prosperous village, guarded by a noble and powerful protector.

Months turned into years, and the village thrived under the guardianship of Zephyrus and his companions. The people lived in peace and prosperity, their needs and desires taken care of by the many talented artisans and farmers that called the village home.

The travelers had become integral members of the tribe, respected and trusted by everyone. They had explored every inch of the surrounding land, finding new ways to use the resources that the land offered.

One day, just as they had appeared, the villages woke up one morning and found that they had left, vanished just as they had appeared out of nowhere. The villagers were sad but not surprised, for they knew they had other duties somewhere else.

The village had grown, attracting people from all over the region. Many individuals wanted to learn the ways of the village and contribute to its growth and prosperity. They were welcomed with open arms and given the same opportunities and responsibilities as the original members of the tribe.

As the years went by, the village became a prominent force in the region, its influence spreading far beyond its borders. Many looked up to the Kalanchoe tribe as an example of how a peaceful and prosperous society could be built, where everyone worked together for the common good.

Zephyrus and his companions had become legendary figures, spoken of in hushed tones by those who admired their deeds and wished to follow in their footsteps. Everyone knew they had played a significant role in the village's transformation, but no one knew where they had gone or what their fate had been.

Only the elder of the tribe knew the truth. He had watched as Zephyrus and his companions had bid farewell to the village, promising to return one day. He knew they had gone on a noble mission, one that required their unique talents and skills.

And so, the years rolled on, and the village that had once been threatened by outsiders thrived under the guardianship of the protector who had become a legend. It was a place of hope and joy, where the future was as promising as the present, and the past was a source of inspiration and strength.

The Kalanchoe Tribe

2.  The Cursed Town

The sun had set over the small, sleepy town of Crowfield as the stars twinkled in the sky above. People had retired to their homes, except for two teenagers who wandered around the abandoned streets, trying to figure out how to spend their idle time. They were looking for a place to sit and talk, away from the prying eyes of the world.

As they rounded the corner of Main Street, they saw an old, abandoned house looming in front of them. It was the kind of place that rumors were made of dark, eerie, and silent. Little did they know the house had a story of its own. Stories that spoke of ghosts and poltergeists, of mysterious disappearances and unexplained deaths.

The teenagers hesitated for a moment, but their curiosity got the better of them. They decided to explore the house, despite the warnings of the locals. It was clear that no one had lived there for years. The paint was peeling off; the windows were shattered, and the front door creaked and groaned in the wind.

As they entered the house, the darkness enveloped them like a blanket. They lit their flashlights and started exploring. The rooms were empty, except for cobwebs and dust. But there was something strange about the atmosphere; it was as if the house was alive. The creaks and groans seemed to come from all around them, and the shadows seemed to dance in the flickering light of their flashlights.

Suddenly, they heard a blood-curdling scream. It seemed to come from somewhere deep inside the house. The teenagers froze, their hearts racing. They were paralyzed with fear, wondering whether to run or investigate the source of the scream.

Taking a few steps forward, the teenagers tried to locate the source of the scream. As they walked further into the house, they felt that something was following them. The hairs on the back of their necks stood up and a feeling of being watched washed over them.

Just then, they heard another