Story Planning: The Red Bud Tree

There once was a long lost tale of a tree that not only was the most beautiful tree in all of the land but also had healing powers...

Three young Princess’s used to sit in bed every night and ask their mother to tell them the tale of the red bud tree. The mother would tell them all about a tree with such beauty and powers that it could heal anything and everyone that just smelled its beautiful buds. She told them about all the different cases where peasants and royalty would travel miles and miles into the woods and through the mountains until they came across the beautiful pink and red tree. They requested this story for ten years no matter how many times they had heard it, and every time their mother would be delighted to tell them again. One night they were patiently waiting for their mother who never came in. They ran to their father and asked where she was and why she wasn't there to tell them the story. The king responded with the sad news that their mother had fallen ill and probably would not make it much longer.

The girls went to their room and cried and while they were crying and holding each other the oldest piped up and exclaimed that she had the best idea... "We will go find the red bud tree!"

Author’s notes: I wanted to plan a story that was a little different than the original Red Bud Tree story. I think my rendition of it will be a little bit more in depth than the original and have a better point. In the original the three Princes separately went to find this tree just to be able to see it. When they thought it looked different and started arguing the King cleared up the argument and told them they went at different seasons and to not be concerned. I enjoyed the idea of the nature and adventure and that’s what I hope to focus most of my time on. 

Bibliography: Ellen C. Babbitt, More Jataka Tales

Red Bud Tree