One Spring day a boy named Simon was flying his kite at the park. Simon was a fisherman’s son, and his father had taught him well about the importance of doing a hard day’s work and earning your way. Even though Simon was a boy, his father had already began teaching him about fishing, and Simon loved the times he would spend with his dad on the boat learning about his trade and hearing all the “fish” stories. He loved it even more when his dad would give him a little bit of money for helping his dad on the boat.
Simon had been gradually saving up the money his dad had given him because he had seen a kite in the window at the local store that he truly valued. It was royal purple, and it had the word ‘Reputation’ inscribed in large gold letters on it. Simon so desired owning that kite, that he found himself working more and more with his dad to earn enough to pay for the kite. He finely had worked hard enough that he was now the proud owner of Reputation.
Simon loved to fly his kite – he liked to show off his Reputation. All the kids admired his kite because it seemed to fly higher than any of the other kites. Seemingly out of nowhere, a boy named Lu came up to Simon while he was flying his Reputation. Simon knew Lu – he was known as kind of a fun guy at first, but it always seemed that those who hung around him after awhile always ended up getting in trouble.
“Cool kite, Simon”, Lu commented.
“Thanks”, Simon replied.
“What’s it say on the kite?” Lu asked.
“Reputation”, Simon responded.
Lu inquired further, “How did you get the kite?”
Simon told him how hard he had worked for his dad to earn the money to pay for it.
“Must have taken a long time to get your Reputation” Lu stated with a smirk on his face. “You know, Simon, flying a kite in the open area is really cool, but a more fun game is to see how closely you can fly it to the trees without it getting stuck. That’s the sign of someone who is really good at flying kites.”
Simon thought about this for a moment. He was enjoying flying Reputation, but maybe if he followed Lu’s advice, he could get even more enjoyment and recognition by flying it close to the trees.
Lu sensed Simon was listening to him and further pressed in, “See that tall tree with all the branches? See how close you can fly Reputation near the tree without it getting tangled up in the branches.”
Simon recognized the tree – it was unlike any of the other trees. It was known as Trespass. It was called this because every kid that tried to climb it or play on it would ultimately get hurt – some even died. Simon said to Lu, “That’s the Trespass tree – that’s a dangerous tree – I don’t want to get my Reputation stuck in the Trespass tree.”
Lu, knowing full well what the reputation of the tree was said to Simon, “Come on, it’s not like you’re going to climb the tree. You’re just going to try to get your Reputation as close to it without it getting caught in Trespass’ branches. What’s the matter, you afraid?”
Simon didn’t like being accused of being afraid. He let his emotions get to him, and he began to steer his Reputation towards the tree known as Trespass. He initially started slowly, but as he gained more confidence in his ability to control his Reputation, he more aggressively guided the kite closer and closer to the tree. Lu, with a growing smile on his face, kept softly encouraging Simon to keep going – he was really impressing all the kids with what he could do with his Reputation.
Suddenly, a big wind kicked up and blew Simon’s Reputation into the tree known as Trespass – it was stuck. Simon tried to free up his Reputation, but he couldn’t it. Lu started laughing at Simon and said to him, “See what happens when you fly your kite to close to a tree?”
Simon was devastated – he fell into Lu’s trap, and his Reputation was now gone. All of that hard work he had put in to earn it was now lost because he allowed himself to be tempted by a guy he knew got other kids in trouble. He longingly looked up at his Reputation thinking it was gone for good.
Another boy came along side Simon, looked at him, and said, “I’m really sorry about your kite, Simon.”
“Who are you? How did you know my name? What’s your name?”
“My name is Joshua, and I’ve known about your Reputation for some time. You see, my dad is a carpenter, and he works at the store across the street from the park. I really enjoyed watching you fly your kite – I know how much you loved it.”
Simon didn’t know Joshua, but Lu did. Lu looked at Joshua and then said to Simon, “I have to go. Too bad about your Reputation!” Simon suddenly realized Lu’s interest in him was only to cause him to lose his Reputation.
Joshua said, “I can get back your Reputation.”
Simon looked at him and said, “I don’t even know you. Do you know about that tree?”
“I’m very familiar with that tree, but I’m not afraid of it.” Joshua calmly replied.
“I can’t ask you to retrieve my Reputation, Joshua.” Simon said even though in his heart he wanted him to do just that.
“I like to get back things that people have lost, Simon. It’s my specialty.” said, Joshua.
Simon looked at Joshua desperately and asked, “You would do that for me?”
“Absolutely”, Joshua stated firmly and without hesitation.
Joshua headed over to the tree, but before he began climbing it, he kneeled down and prayed. Simon saw this and had never seen someone pray before going onto the tree of Trespass. After finishing his prayer, Joshua started climbing the tree. Simon watched him from a distance and other kids began to watch from even farther away. As Joshua climbed further up the tree, the sky began to turn grey and the sunshine faded behind the building clouds.
Joshua was straining with all he could to reach the place of Simon’s tangled Reputation and retrieve it. At the point of getting the kite loosened and in his hands, Joshua fell out of the tree and landed hard on the ground. Simon rushed over to see if he was ok, and he was startled to find that even though Joshua was not awake, he still had Simon’s Reputation in his hand. Even though it had been stuck in the branches of the tree known as Trespass, Simon’s Reputation was no longer damaged.
Although Simon was elated, he got his Reputation back, he was heartbroken that his new-found friend was terribly hurt – or even dead. Simon found himself quickly caring less and less about his Reputation but caring more and more about Joshua.
Joshua’s eyes slowly opened, and he got up and brushed off the effects of his time in the tree of Trespass. The clouds cleared up and the sunshine returned. Simon, standing there holding his kite in shock over Joshua being alive, threw down his Reputation and hugged Joshua. “Thank you, thank you, Joshua. I can’t believe you would sacrifice your life for my Reputation.” Simon cried out.
“It’s what I like to do, Simon.” Joshua gently replied. “Now, why don’t you come with me? I’d like you to be my friend.”
“That’s a deal!” Simon joyfully replied. And Simon would follow Joshua wherever he would go.