Short story) The Mystery of Maple Hill

<The Mystery of Maple Hill>

 

 

Once upon a time in the small town of Cedarville, there lived a high school junior named Alex. Cedarville was your typical American town—quiet streets, friendly neighbors, and a football team that hadn't won a game since who-knows-when. But what made Cedarville unique was the enormous hill that loomed on its southern border, known to everyone as Maple Hill.

 

Every spring, as the snow melted and the days grew warmer, a peculiar thing happened. A gentle breeze would sweep over Maple Hill, carrying with it the most tantalizing aromas—freshly baked apple pie, blooming wildflowers, and occasionally, the unmistakable scent of a backyard barbecue gone slightly awry.

 

"Who lives over there?" Alex would wonder aloud, usually during Mrs. Thompson's painfully dull history lectures. His best friend Maya rolled her eyes every time. "Probably just more cows and cornfields" she'd say, doodling in her notebook. But Alex wasn't convinced.

 

In April, the air was thick with the fragrance of cherry blossoms, making it nearly impossible to focus on anything, especially algebra. By May, the smell of freshly cut grass and sizzling burgers was so enticing that Alex seriously considered faking a stomachache to escape school and investigate.

 

One particularly breezy day, Alex couldn't take it anymore. "Maya, we've got to find out what's on the other side of that hill" he declared, his eyes gleaming with a mix of determination and mild caffeine-induced hysteria.

 

Maya sighed dramatically. "Fine, but if we get lost and have to survive on wild berries, I'm blaming you."

 

They set off after school, backpacks loaded with essentials: water bottles, granola bars, and a compass Alex insisted they needed despite not knowing how to read it. As they hiked up Maple Hill, they joked about finding a secret society or maybe even Bigfoot hosting a cookout.

 

Reaching the summit, they were both out of breath and thoroughly unimpressed. "Well, that's underwhelming" Maya said, staring at the vast expanse of...nothing. Just more trees and, in the distance, the faint outline of another town.

 

But then, a gust of wind brought a new scent—freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Their eyes met. "Did you smell that?" Alex whispered, as if speaking louder would scare the aroma away.

 

Following their noses, they descended into the town of Sunnybrook. To their amazement, they stumbled upon a bustling spring festival. There were colorful banners, laughter echoing from every corner, and the sweet melody of a local band attempting—unsuccessfully—to cover classic rock songs.

 

"Welcome!" boomed a man in a giant cupcake costume. "First time here?"

 

Maya couldn't contain her grin. "You have no idea."

 

They spent the afternoon playing ridiculously rigged carnival games, participating in a pie-eating contest (which Alex lost spectacularly), and dancing awkwardly to the band's off-key tunes. They even made a few new friends who couldn't believe they'd never been to Sunnybrook's famous Spring Fling.

 

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of pink and orange, Alex and Maya knew it was time to head back. They stood atop Maple Hill once more, looking down at Cedarville now dotted with flickering porch lights.

 

"Who would've thought all this was just over the hill?" Alex mused.

 

Maya nudged him playfully. "Next time you get a crazy idea, remind me to trust you a little sooner."

 

They made their way home, each step lighter than the last. The mysterious breeze no longer teased them; instead, it carried the promise of new adventures and the comforting thought that sometimes, the grass—or rather, the pie—is indeed sweeter on the other side.

 

From that day on, whenever the spring winds blew, Alex and Maya shared a secret smile, knowing exactly who lived over yonder—and eagerly anticipating their next visit.

 

 

Sunset Over Maple Hill - A Moment of Discovery

 

 

#ref.:

https://sosohantry.tistory.com/entry/Poem-김동환-산-너머-남촌에는