The Tale of the Leaf

Once upon a time, in a land not so different than ours, there lived a leaf. This leaf fancied itself to be better than all the other leaves on the tree. It liked its shade of green more than any other shade of green. It liked its shape better than any other shape. And it liked its size a great deal as well.

This leaf  told all the other leaves on the tree that it was better than they were as often as possible. And in so many ways it tried to prove to them that it was prettier and stronger and bigger and smarter and... well you get the idea.

When a mighty wind came and blew the tree and all the leaves would bend together to help the branches from breaking, this leaf would not bend. It forced itself to stay straight so it could prove to the other leaves how strong and independent it was.

When the sun shone on the tree and all the leaves used the light to make food to feed the tree, this leaf would rest in the shade. It wanted the other leaves to see that It didn't have to help out because it was special.

When the rain came and all the leaves let the raindrops fall from their tips to the ground so the roots could absorb the water and nourish the entire tree, this leaf kept the water for Itself. It didn't feel the need to share with anyone.

Now, this tree and most of its leaves were very kind and allowing. They listened when the leaf boasted about itself. They did not criticize or reprimand. They just continued to dance in the wind and drink in the sun and bathe in the rain with joy.

One day a little boy walked down the path by the tree and stopped to admire it. It was indeed a beautiful tree and a slight breeze blew the leaves as if to show the little boy just how wonderfully it could sway. But one leaf stood out. When the breeze blew, the "special" leaf (as it often referred to itself) did not move and this caught the boy's attention. The boy decided that he wanted to remember this beautiful tree for a long, long time and he plucked the special leaf from the tree and put it in his pocket.

Well, the leaf was in heaven. It knew, without a doubt, that it was special because out of all the leaves on the tree the little boy picked it. It MUST be better than all the others. It felt truly special...

But the little boy's pocket was cramped and dark. The leaf couldn't feel the wind or the sun. And later, when it was tossed on a table in the little boy's room it realized that it wasn't quite as green anymore. And it was so hot and dry in the room. And there was a coin holding it down. And the little boy played with another toy and paid the leaf no attention at all.

Thankfully the next day the boy picked up the leaf and held it up in the air, spinning it between his fingers. Again the leave was feeling happy. The leaf tingled with excitement while the little boy walked across the room to a bookshelf and pulled out a big book. The boy opened the book, placed the leaf on a page and closed the book .Then he placed it back on the shelf (just as his mother had taught him.)

Outside the sun was shining on the beautiful tree and the breeze caressed all the remaining leaves as they danced joyfully. They were happy because they never forgot that they were part of the tree. Seeing themselves as separate or different wasn't a benefit at all. The tree helped to feed them and keep them grounded. And together they weathered storms and made a wonderful musical sound when the wind blew. They were connected in a perfect way and this made them happy and content!

We are like these leaves, all connected to a tree that grounds and nourishes us. It helps us bend in the wind and drink in the sun as the branches reach to the sky. We are blessed to be part of the tree. Let's remember to honor each other and the tree each day and not get lost in our "specialness" or "Individuality." Make friends with a stranger. Call an old friend. Smile at someone on the checkout line. After all, we are all in this tree together.

Katrina Mayer
http://wholarian.ning.com