The Leaves

The Leaves (Adapted from Bambi by Felix Saltern)

The leaves were falling from the trees. Two leaves clung on. "It isn't the way it used to be." said one leaf to the other.

"No, so many of us have fallen off tonight, we're almost the only two left on this branch," answered the other.

"Even when it is warm and the sun shone, a storm or a cloudburst would come sometimes, and many leaves were torn off, though they were still very young. You never know who is going to go next."

"The sun seldom shines now," sighed the second leaf, "Soon we will go. Can it be true, that we are replaced by others, and then when they have gone by others, more and more?"

"It really is true," whispered the other leaf. "It makes me feel very sad. Why must we all fall? What happens to us when we have fallen?"

"We sink down … what do you think is under us?"

"I don't know, some say one thing, and some another, but nobody knows. No one has ever come back to tell us about it."

"Which of us will go first?"

"Let's not worry about that now, let's remember how beautiful it was, how wonderful when the sun came out and shone so warmly that we thought we'd burst with life. Do you remember?

"Yes, I remember, but look at me now. I am so yellow and ugly."

"No, you are as lovely as the day you were born.

Hours passed, a moist wind blew, cold and hostile, through the branches.

The leaves were torn from their places and spun downwards.

…winter had come.