Little Island Tales (Working Title) - Part 1

    In this great, big world of ours, many people often fail to notice the little things in life. When they do, even more people seem to think, "How important are they, really? They're so little!" They never take the time to appreciate what wonderful qualities those little things might have. And what they might accomplish if given the chance.
    Just take a coconut for example.
    Many people know that coconuts are tasty and nutritious. What many people don't know, or perhaps don't even imagine is possible, is that the hair of coconuts, or coir, can be used to make rope. The meat can be used as food or even to make oil. Not only that, but coconuts are wonderfully hard and their shells can be made to make pots and dishware.
    They also make a satisfying little drum if hollowed out correctly.
    Diego might have appreciated that more if one hadn't hit him directly on the head.
    And if it had been hollow.
    CLUNK!
    "OW!" Diego yelped, rubbed his head where the hard little coconut had just hit.
    The coconut was rolling away harmlessly in the sand, but Diego was far too preoccupied with the quickly growing lump on his head to care.
    "I told you not to sit under the tree." Ka'lani said with a little laugh.
    Her voice was mocking but, seeing the little girl with the stick in one hand and the rather sharp knife in the other, he decided it was best not to say what came to mind. He didn't want to add injury to insult as it were.
    Instead, he opted for the more mature response.
    "I told you not to sit under the tree, Diego." Diego said in a high pitched, equally derisive tone, still rubbing his head.
    Ka'lani's eyes narrowed and she gripped the base of the stick a little more tightly.
    Diego considered for a minute. He could probably only annoy her a little bit more before he had to worry about life and limb.
    However, given he didn't much feel like getting stabbed today, he leaned back against the trunk of the coconut tree and glanced out towards the ocean. The waters were crystalline blue, glittering in the failing sunlight, and he could just make out the gulls drifting on the afternoon thermals. Their white bodies were barely visible against the burning oranges and crimson reds of the sunset.
    "You know," Ka'lani began as she shaved off a large slice of wood from the stick. "You're pretty stupid. I did tell you not to sit there."
    "I wanted to lean on the tree. And you're an idiot."
    "Well, you're ugly."
    "You're fat."
    "And you smell."
    "Not as much as you."
    They both traded vicious glances but were only able to hold their 'serious' faces for only a half a moment before breaking down in giggles. They were both thirteen at this point, but they'd been making fun of each other for as long as Diego could remember.
    In actuality, Ka'lani was far from stupid or fat. Only an inch shorter then him, her lean frame, bronze skin, long, black-brown hair, and nearly golden eyes of her heritage made her stand out from the other students in his school. And, if that didn't help, the fact that she was one of the smartest people in class really drove the nail home.
    Still, it wouldn't do for her to think he respected her or anything.
    "So what are you making again?" Diego asked, looking down to the stick and the knife in her hand once more.
    "I already told you this." Ka'lani said in a sarcastic, sing-song voice.
    "Yea, but I don't listen to what you say. You know that."
    "And that's my fault why?"
    "Because you're stupid."
    "Clearly, not as much as you." she said, without looking up.
    He watched her for a moment more. His gaze drifted back and forth from Ka'lani, her knife, and her stick back to the sun which was disappearing past the horizon. The failing light was burning away the orange and black in favor of deep purple and indigo dotted with pinpricks of glittering white as the stars first light shown in the sky.
    "It's a flute." Ka'lani finally offered.
    "A flute? Don't you have one already?"
    "Am I not allowed to have two flutes?"
    "I guess not." Diego shrugged.
    "That's right." she said with a terse nod. "Besides, it's not for me."
    "Who's it for?" he asked absently as he watched flames ignite one by one along the beach.
    They were just beginning to light the torches for the bay.
    Ka'lani shrugged, but he didn't see it.
    "Who's it for?" Diego asked again, only now looking at her.
    "Doesn't matter." she said dismissively with another shrug.
    It was getting dark now as more and more of the sky was consumed by inky blackness and more stars came out to play. He could only see a glint of the blade as she slid the knife into the leather holster on her hip.
    Ka'lani stood up, dusted herself off, and offered him a hand.
    "I want to know: who's it for?" he asked again.
    Diego wasn't sure why it mattered, but for some reason the prospect made his stomach churn. Why would Ka'lani be making a flute for someone? Why wouldn't she tell him who it was?
    "Now I'm never going to tell you." she said teasingly.
    She offered her hand one more time, but he didn't take it.
    "Come onnnnnn." he whined playfully. "Kaaaaaa'laaaaaniiiii."
    "Nope." she said and retracted her offer.
    Instead, she turned and started walking back towards the village.
    "Kaaaaa'laaaaaaaaaaniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii." Diego whined again, more to annoy her than anything else now, and quickly chased after her.
    A moment later, they were walking side by side through the growing darkness of the white sand beach. Ahead of them, the last of the torches had been lit and the warm, glowing fires made the little village nestled at the base of the mountain looking like a flicking beacon in the growing blackness of a moonless night.


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(Hello Lovelies, you might notice that this is a not a continuation of Uncanny Valley and is also a bit different than my normal tone. In short, I'm writing a story that might be kid friendly...we'll really see how everything turns out. I was inspired because a coworker had their son at work and, his son being bored and me being me, asked if I had a book he could borrow. It turned out I only had a 'Resident Evil' book which the boy quickly declined due to the presence of harsh language and tones despite wanting to get to the monsters and zombies. I intend to double back to Uncanny Valley since I will be using that as the root for the game I'm playing around with....however for now I want to ride the wave, so to speak, and see what comes of this little island tale.)