The Ireem Chronicles

The Tree of Joys
by Moonshine Zifer, Court Storyteller of Ireem

Long ago, in the sandy land of Ireem, lived the sultana Lanzu. Her hair was dark as the starlit skies of the desert, her eyes green as a lush welcoming oasis; her lips the dusty color of the geranium; and her nature as sweet as the Arabian jasmine that perfumed her skin and hair. She would have been sought after just for her beauty, but her wealth and power attracted suitors as well. The task of sorting the rabble from the truly worthy was a monumental task.

Lanzu summoned together all those who sought her hand in marriage, and led them into the outer garden of the palace. With surprise, her eyes fell on the sad ragged figure hiding at the back of the crowd – the beggar Mustapha. She stepped up onto the platform in the center of the garden. Near her stood a mage with a large black sack. “Today I plant a tree here in the garden. A small tree today, as was Ireem when I became Sultana. But like Ireem it will grow –until like Ireem it stands tall, proud, and beautiful among its fellows here in the garden.”

“Each of you who seek my hand, will be given a token by this mage. Go into the country seeking out what is good, beautiful, and joyous in Ireem. When you find something, hold the token in your hand, stretch your hand out and say ‘duaiskodak’. You will receive a small globe in your hand that will hold the essence of what you found. The greater the joy you find, the brighter the globe will glow. At the end of the year, return and hang your globes on this tree – this tree of the Joys of Ireem. The man with the brightest joys will win my hand.”

On the designated day, three men returned to the garden out of all those who had set out on the quest. The first to step forward was a handsome courtier, dressed in dark silks, elegant and confident. Next came a knight in his brightly shining armor, strong and rugged. The third man was a wealthy citizen of the city. Each placed their globes of red, blue, green, and silver on the tree. Lanzu smiled quietly watching the tree taking on the joys of her land and transforming from a simple tree to something magical and magnificent.

But then the gates of the palace creaked open. Everyone turned and looked in surprise as the beggar, entered the garden dragging a rickety old cart behind him, covered with camel furs. From under the furs he pulled out a glowing orb the color of the setting sun and hung it on the tree. Again and again he reached under the furs and pulled out a globe, each brighter than the one before, each a color unlike anything the others had found. Those watching gasped in awe as ball after ball was added until there was no room left to hang any more.

Finally, Mustapha reached inside his ragged tunic and pulled out one last captured essence. It was oddly shaped, not round but like a small heart, and it glowed brightly, but also seemed to pulse, like a living heart. But he did not put it on the tree. He carried it cupped in his hands to the platform, knelt and offered it up to Lanzu. “My love for the sultana,” smiled the Mustapha. “The greatest joy any man can have.”

The Sultana smiled brightly. “Rise. You are no longer a beggar, but Royal Finder of Joys, and soon to be consort to the Sultana.” And thus is became a tradition in Ireem to come together in December to share our joys around a tree covered in brightly colored balls and lights.