5-B: Jade
5-B: Jade
203 words
Usagi fingered the smooth jade pendant that hung around her neck and smiled. It was carved into the shape of a butterfly-- a symbol of successful love. Usagi had been touched at the lovely gift when Mamoru had presented it to her several days earlier, but it wasn't until Ami saw the pendant that Usagi realized the true meaning of the gift.
Ami shared the ancient Chinese story about the man who was chasing a beautiful butterfly and followed it into a rich man's garden. Instead of being punished for trespassing, the man married the rich man's daughter and the jade butterfly became a symbol of successful love.
Usagi stroked the butterfly and thought of the promise of marriage that Mamoru had hinted at along with the gift. They had been dating for several years, but the last hint of marriage had been nearly a year ago when Mamoru gave her a delicate ring before leaving for University in North America. Life had changed so much since the day Mamoru got on that plane and Usagi was beginning to doubt that they really would get married. But now she clutched the small jade butterfly and began to hope for the future once more.