1 Prologue

It was a perfect day for a walk. The sun was up, but it doesn't hurt. The air was not chilly, just enough to complement the sun's warmth. The big bags of clouds can be seen too. And there, beyond the flower field, up on a hill, sat a tree.

An old woman with fair skin and wrinkled face smiled, her golden eyes were filled of longngingness as she looked at an old tree. The tree does not bare any fruits, but the flowers it has, somehow have life in them.

The woman slowly walked towards the tree, across the field, and up on a hill. And upon reaching her destination, a feeling of strong nostalgia flooded upon her. She was near to tear when a boy suddenly held her hand. She looked down and smiled at the boy who shared the same golden eyes as hers.

"Where are the others?" asked the old woman.

The boy just pointed to the flower field where the other children are playing.

"Can you call them for me, please?" she said giving a soft smile.

The boy answered her with a smile and nodded politely and went on his way. The old woman watched as the other children were being called. When the children looked up to her, she gestured them to come and so they rushed towards her.

"What's wrong Grandma?" ask the older boy.

"Nothing, I just want to share a story." said the old woman.

As she looked at them one by one she can instantly tell that the children were all curious and excited.

"Let us all sit down first" said the old woman.

The children did as they're told. They all sat in front of the old woman.

The old woman was sitting on the ground as well, facing the children with back against the tree.

The old woman smiled looking at the curious and handsome faces of the kids in front of her then asked.

"Do you believe in a second chance in life?"

The children seemed bewildered, they look at each other with questions in mind, then they asked.

"What do you mean, Grandma?"

"You mean, when you did something bad but you were forgiven?"

"Or... we were all supposed to be given a second chance?"

'These children are smart and curious' the old woman thought.

"All you said is right. A second chance is something that is given to us and also something that we give." the old woman said.

Then she continued.

"But... for some, it is a curse." she said with a sad expression.

One of the children frowned and asked.

"Why would someone considered it as a curse, Grandma? Shouldn't they felt blessed because they are given a chance?"

The child strongly said like he was objecting it, the old woman paused and looked at their faces in agreement. The woman smiled and calmly said.

"Well, for others, they don't want second chances, for they know their sins are far too big."

Another child joins the conversation.

"But there is no sin that is too big. Everybody deserves a second chance."

The children nods in unison.

The old woman smiled at the children and said.

"You children are too innocent and pure. Untainted with the world."

Giving another sad expression, the children only looked at her puzzled.

'I hope they won't change when they experienced life's hardship themselves' the old woman sighed and thought to herself.

"Now children, listen to my story. Do you know that this tree we're under, received a second chance itself?" the old woman started.

"woah~" the children said in amusement.

"What is this tree called again, Grandma?" the smallest child asked.

"It is called 'The tree of Second Chances', it is also known as 'The Lia Tree'."

After the old woman said those words, a gentle wind passed by, as if it is comforting them.

The children were somehow flabbergasted then one of them spoke.

"Lia? You mean, just like your name, Grandma?"

The old Woman Smiled Mysteriously.

"Yes, just like my name."