‘Oh, being young was such a good feeling, better than being old,’ I complained to my fellow tree. ‘It’s dreadful dealing with aged bark falling, less leaves budding and almost no flowers. I miss the companionship of chirping birds and the funny activities of squirrels.’
But as usual he was not listening to me. He just stared toward that window again. ‘Nowadays, you spend most of your time staring at that window?’ I continued complaining, ‘What is the attraction?’
‘In there a beautiful young girl is giving up the will to live.’
‘And what’s that to you?’
‘I’ve never seen her this sad not in her fifteen years – not even when her mother passed away. She was always a strong girl, a pillar for her family.’
‘What’s changed? Oh, I know. She’s a teenager. Must be some love failure. Oh, God!!! These humans are so weird.’
‘No, that’s not the reason. Her father stood here last night. Crying as if the world was going to end because his daughter has some disease and she has given up wanting to live.’
‘Oh, what a sad fate and such a sorrowful story – I wish, we could help in some way.’
‘Actually I can and that’s why I stare and concentrate. To remember everything near me. You have been an amazing companion and friend throughout life. Thank you for everything.’
‘I don’t understand. What are you saying?’
‘Her father was asking someone to come and cut me down.’
‘What? But, why?’
‘I’m getting old, so lose more and more of my leaves. That young princess thinks when all my leaves fall, she will die. That’s why she stares out of the window at me all day – to check how much time she has left to live.’
‘But that doesn’t make sense. I know we’re getting old but we should die naturally not by a vicious axe. What are you going to do about it? We can’t run away.’
‘I don’t know what we can do, but I’ve given it a lot of thought. If cutting me down saves the life of my princess, I accept my fate.’
A cool breeze sighed through the tree branches and he said, ‘There are only three leaves remaining.’
That night he whispered, ‘I think they’re coming to cut me down.’
‘Should I drop one of my branches on them?’
‘No!’
‘How can that man do this to you? You were planted by his grandfather. He spent his whole life growing up around you. Even the young lady likes you a lot.’
‘I know… I also love them until my last breath… they are family. There is only one leaf left so I must do something. If this leaf falls and my little princess sees, she will definitely hurt herself… I want to be helpful…’
‘Hey, look! This one doesn’t look like a vicious axeman. I think I’ve seen him somewhere. Oh, yeah! He’s a famous artist from town. What’s he doing here?’
‘I don’t know. I’m confused too. It’s midnight so he’s not here for the scenery.’
‘But he’s painting something on the wall beside you.’
‘I think I know what he is trying to do.’
‘What?’
‘You’ll see – in few hours.’
We waited and watched as beautiful colours dripped down the wall to create a mesmerising masterpiece.
When finished, the artist said, ‘I’m sorry, my friend. I have to sacrifice your life to save a child. She has already seen so much sadness in her short life and needs to see the beauty of living. You and I, my friend, we have spent our life, our youth gathering precious memories, but it’s time for you to say goodbye to this world.’
He took out his axe and started to chop.
‘You are right,’ whispered the tree. ‘Thank you for helping her.’
The artist chopped the tree and left the ground as if nothing happened plus a new still life of the tree with one bloom painted on the wall.
~~~~~
Sophie looks out every day from her window but the last leaf never falls. She starts to believe that she also needs to hang on and look to the future and spend her life in a good way.
After a few days she is healthier and happier.
I stare at the patch of earth. ‘May you rest in peace my friend. You were right, she is indeed happy and healthy now. You were a happy and kind soul. I hope we meet again.’
TheSproutingBud 