Leaving

A little leaf called ‘Zygote’ lived on the highest branch of a tall tree by a cliff. Because he was the smallest leaf in his branch, he could see everything in the valley down below. Constantly watching this beautiful valley under him while he grew up made him feel like he was the king of the world. Despite being younger, he always argued with the other leaves saying,

“You don’t see what I see. I know more than any of you do”.

Eventually, the branches spread more and to his dismay, younger leaves started growing and he could no longer see the valley like he used to. Finding this very unfair, he called out loudly to the other leaves,

“What is the point in living here where we can’t see the world?”

Glancing at one another the leaves said, “We like the sunlight and the breeze here”

He was angry at this and said, “The tree is selfish he only sends us away only when we’re too old to enjoy the world”. I’d rather live my own life than serve this tree until I grow old”. Just that night, the tree came to him in a dream.

“Kindly listen, my dear friend”, he said, “I don’t have too long to live and my oldest friends are leaving me. Lend me your time, I know it’s too much to ask but I’d be very grateful. My whole life, I nourished you and let you stand on my highest branch. Now I want someone to stay with me in my lonely death”

Overlooking the old trees plea, Zygote shook himself off the branch the next morning and fell down and down, eventually reaching a river that was flowing through the valley. Pulled by the current, he happily went on his way, passing pretty flowers and green fields. Quicker than he expected, after two nights, the journey came to an end when he was stuck in a dead branch that had fallen onto the waters.

“Rats! Aren’t you that ungrateful little leaf who used to live in the top branch of our tree?” One of the old, yellow leaves that were stuck in the same place called out to Zygote’s dismay.

“Staying in the tree was pointless”, he explained, “He’s dying, I wish I realized and come here sooner. That way, I could’ve avoided this branch too before it fell down.”

You’d have never made it any farther than this valley, child” The disappointed old leaf shook his head, “There are thousands of branches along this river”

Void of any escape, Zygote was deeply tangled in the dead branch. ‘Why did I leave the old tree up there on the cliff? If I stayed, I could’ve looked over the valley peacefully until my old age’ Zygote bitterly thought to himself for a moment. Xhaling deeply, he resolved to accept his fate of dying, stuck in this black branch. Yearning for the tree was pointless and he’d rather appreciate what he has now, which was something he failed to do when he lived on the highest branch of the old tree on the cliff.

Zygote listened to the sound of water and watched the occasional small animal that would come to take a sip of water. Here isn’t that bad after all, he decided. After some time, he realized he was old. Then, one starry night, he silently said his final apology to the old tree and closed his eyes forever.