Dendro Fetrea- District 5

I am not the smallest kid on the block. As a matter of fact, im not small, period. I am tall, looking over the heads of my friends and my family. Never been measured, but my best guess is im around 6'2''. I never considered myself a looker, but evidently I have others convinced. The sun has painted me a deep golden, and days of working with thrashing bulls and rearing horses has seen to it that im no weakling either. My hair is black, but now it must be considered a dark brown because slowly the sun is changing that too. My eyes are playfull, nobody can stay angry for long at me. The grey blue in them sings of better times. Just like me. I know we wernt always like this, working in the blistering sun untill we were a part of the sun itself, but slowly im succumbing as well, and its all I can do to keep hope alive.

I am a child of the sun. Joyfull, happy, playfull, for the sake of those around me. Rarely am I taken seriously, and I like it that way. Let me kindle the light of my people, let me give them a reason to keep going, let me give hope. But inside me its a different story, I am worried. My own hope is diminishing. I work hard and stay proud, but like a wild horse to a cowboy, when im in a corral for so long, my spirit dies on its own. But I look foreward, I will not show weakness. My people need me, and I must remember that.

I was born into a long line of ranchers. Suprise, Suprise. As a child I would leap up onto the backs of...well...anything. I am the youngest of 5. The baby, but they hardly call me that anymore. My mother tells me , " You are the light, Dendro, stay shining." but it is me ageing father who pulls my aside when we are far out on the range. " Listen." He demands, in a hushed tone, " Do you know where your name came from?" I didnt know. It never occered to me that it was anything more than a name. "Dendrobates Azureus" He said. I couldnt help but smile and stifle a chuckle, "Say what?". My father kept his stern facade, " Its the poison arrow frog, son. Its beautiful, bright. But deadly. Oh so deadly." He pauses and stares out over the field of gazing animals. " Like you...Dendro. You will do great things...im sure of it. Your bright, people love you, but you can do more then you think. Never let your colors fade. ". He died a few weeks later. I found him under a lowly willow, and for the first time I saw my father's smile. So I keep strong. Careing for my mother, working to help my siblings. Keeping the candle aflame.