There wasn't much in life that I didn't enjoy. I loved playing outside- even in foul weather- with my animal friends, listening to my mother's bedtime stories. Even my chores- what little I had- I didn't mind doing. But there is always one thing in life that causes much irritation one way or another. That one thing for me was my studies.

     I whined and groaned and even cried a few times whenever it came to my studies. Reading and writing were bearable most days, but sometimes I would become too antsy to care about how neat my penmanship was or how clearly I read or understood the book I was reading. Mathematics eluded me and science confused. History was also a dragged.

    Some days I could concentrate on the tasks at hand, but other days I was uncooperative. Like on a certain spring day, when the sun was shining and you could tell summer was only weeks away.

    I sat at my desk in my mother's library. She always oversaw my lessons and would sit on a nearby couch, continuing on her quilt that she picked up on every time I tended to my studies.

    "To be a good king you must study, Xalale." She would always say to me.

    Secretly I knew that, but sometimes the things I learned seemed futile. But I did what my mother asked of me and tried to get through my studies.

    But as I stared out the window at the spring forest, a longing overcame me as I wished to be there instead of at my desk.

    "Xalale, focus."

    My mother was patient in many matters, but she could be firm and expected to be listened to. It vexed her to see me be so careless in my studies, so I tried to avoid punishment and refocus on my work.

    But today, critiquing my cursive wasn't where my heart was.

    Golden rays leaked through the window and spilled onto my desk. The sight engulfed me and I became curious about it. Leaning in my chair I saw how underneath my desk the light couldn't penetrate there.

    Sitting straight up again, I reached my hand out and tried to capture the sunny rays. Every time I opened my hand I saw nothing as a result. I frowned and twisted around in my chair.

    "Momma? Why can't we catch light?"

     She didn't look up from her quilt work to answer me.

    "Because we can only see light, we can't touch it."

     I turned back around and stared at the light.

    "Xalale."

     I turned around and glanced at my mother, who is giving me a disapproving expression.

    "Finish writing your sentences. No idle hands."

     She returned her attention back to her quilt and I looked down at my worn, leather book. Picking up my pencil, I muttered to myself.

     "No idle hands."

     I wanted to play outside and mother would only let me do that if my lessons were done. But it's easy to be distracted if you're not really concentrating on your work.

     As my pencil scratches across the paper, I stick out my tongue, trying to catch some sunlight in my mouth. I stick my tongue out further and further, trying in vain to taste the sunlight.

     I sighed but didn't turn around. "Momma, why can't we taste the light?"

     "The light is only here to be seen, not heard or felt or tasted. Just like the wind and air can't be seen all the time. You know those elements are there. Now mind your work."

     "Okay."

     But still, I couldn't quite focus on my work. My sentences weren't as neat as they could be, but all my time went into thinking on how to capture the light.

     "I could make a trap for it. But what traps light?"

     I pondered my whole time away, not realizing until mother asked to see my work.

    "I didn't get very far." I grimly told her.

     She inspected my sentences and handed me back my book with a tired look.

     "Xalale." She sighed.

     "I drew you a butterfly," I said trying to cheer her up.

      She smiled despite herself. Pulling me off the chair, picking up my book, and guiding me out of the room by my hand, we walk to my room. She sits me on my bed and walked to the window and draws the curtains shut.

     "Redo your sentences neatly before I come back again." She commanded me, handing me my book.

     "And don't let your mind or eyes wander." She added before leaving my room.

     "I won't get distracted this time," I told myself as lied on my bed and began rewriting my sentences.

      A few minutes ticked by with me doing nothing but my work. I diligently stayed on task until my hand began to cramped and my mind wander.

      "How can I trap the sun?"

      My eyes slide to the window where the curtains block out most of the brilliant sunlight. A few golden rays peek out from under. I set my pencil down and walked over to the window, pushing back the thick curtains and inviting in the warm, friendly light.

     With the new invitation of light, my mind could begin coming up with ideas on how to capture the it. I paced back and forth going through different methods on how to catch it, but all my ideas seemed to fall flat.

      I stare at the rays of gold in defeat.

      How could I capture light? It seemed impossible.

      Just then, a thought popped into my head and I leap to my feet, heading out the door in search of something. Excitement surged through me as I pulled out what I needed and dashed back to my room.

      All I needed was some string to tie it up and...perfect. I stepped back and admired my handy work.

      What I was searching for was something made of glass. I remembered there was a broken glass chalice in one of the neglected rooms nearby. I collected all the jagged pieces and strung them up in front of my window, where, when the light would pour in, it would create numerous rainbows on the floor.

      "I captured and changed the light!" I was so caught up in my achievement that I didn't notice my mother approach me until she called my name.

      "Xalale."

      I whirled around, trying to recollect myself before noticing the disapproving expression on her face.

      "Let me see your work."

       Already knowing I was in trouble, I dragged my feet as I handed her my half empty book. Looking at the floor waiting for my punishment, I couldn't help but glance over at the explosion of color displayed across the floor- I couldn't help but smile a little.

     "So I guess this is what you've been spending all your time doing?" She asked looking over at my hanging "sun catcher".

     I nodded in response.

     She sighed, sounding tired.

    "Your mind strays from tasks very easily, Xalale."

     There's nothing much I can say in response to that other than shrug.

    "You know why I give you lessons. I know there are many other things you rather be doing, but completing your studies is important and a top priority."

     I gave a small nod and rushed over to her, giving her a tight hug and looking up at her.

    "You still like my sun catcher?" I asked softly.

    She stroked my hair tenderly. "Yes, you're a very clever boy. Now you just need to focus on your studies with as much effort."

    "Yes, momma."

     So everyday from that day on, I did my lessons in my room. I tried harder to concentrate on work, but every now and then I would become memorized by the beautiful colors shimmering on the floor- even when it was cloudy. I knew how to catch sunlight and I was never going to lose sight of the light ever again.