Kimbookai Children's Museum
The Legend
The village of Montfre sat nestled at the base of rolling hills. To the east were great mountains, and to the west lay an ocean, vast and beautiful. People traveled to this village from distant lands. Here the skin color, language, culture, food and dress were as varied as the land itself. Together the villagers shared the gentle climate of Montfre, the rising sun from behind the hills and the setting sun on the ocean. Even with all of this, something was missing. Understanding. Harmony.
When it came time to welcome spring with a festival, the villagers could not agree on how to celebrate. The children overheard an argument, "that is a terrible idea," one parent said to another. "You people just don't do it right", another parent replied.
The elders listened to the rest of the community arguing and shook their heads. "Look at those hills," one elder said, "everything is blooming beautifully, so many different species of animals and plants live there, but unlike us, they manage to live in harmony. "I wish we could bring some of that back to our village," the other said. Kimo and Maboo overheard them and had a great idea. They would find the secret.
They gathered up the other children and led them up into the hills, singing songs along the way.
The children explored the caves in the hills looking for what might put an end to the arguing back in the village. As the day wore on, they grew hungry and frustrated.
Some of the children found nuts and berries, the others complained because no one was sharing. Kimo and Maboo stepped in and helped them realize that they had to work together.
Tired, the children searched for a resting place. One of them spotted an emerald green chrysalis edged with shinning gold, hanging from a tree branch. Kimo and Maboo explained that a butterfly was growing inside. The thought cheered them up. The children watched patiently and earnestly, waiting for the butterfly to emerge. One by one, they fell asleep on the soft grass under the stars. While the children slept, butterflies hid among the leaves along the branches. A gentle grace filled the air which lay like a warm blanket over the children.
The children dreamed of their parents sharing in their adventure, and enjoying their new friendships, with the butterfly. Their tender dreams magically seeped into the chrysalis, and transformed the pupa.
When they realized their children were missing, the villagers stopped arguing and worked side by side to search for their missing children. They searched into the night and were overjoyed to find their children safe. While the families embraced, in the dark of the night, the magical butterfly came out of its chrysalis aglow with the dreams of the children.
The butterfly spoke words that everyone could understand. "My name is Kimbookai. The first part of my name comes from Kimo and Maboo who led and protected these children. The last part of my name, "kai" means to speak, for I have an important message. In this journey you have started to learn an important lesson of working together and helping each other. Bring me back to your village and create a special place where children and parents can build upon this lesson together."
Kimbookai was welcomed by all the villagers with songs of happiness and hope. The special place was built and named in honor of the butterfly. Through the years the legend of Kimbookai lived on.Rewritten by Julie Basu for the Kimbookai village.
