I am a leaf. My life changed ever since that day.
I was happy on the
tree. The tree – silent, observant, full of life and vigor. It had withstood
many storms.
It was a breezy morning; the sun was at its
glorious state, just when the gardener came in our beautiful garden to nip the edges of the
plants. But that day, to my surprise, he headed towards my tree with a chainsaw held firmly in his hand. I looked
on with fear and anger knowing that I could do nothing
to stop the menace. He climbed up on my tree
and took nearly no time in selecting the branches to be chopped off and started
with his job. I could see my family members being chopped in front of my very own eyes. I got detached from the
tree and as I was falling, grief weighed me further down and I felt as if the
loneliness was engulfing me. Broken and torn tree had nothing to say.
I tried to be positive and thoughts went through me – I
need to see the world beyond……and then I felt a spark of joy…..I felt wind. It
took me with it
I was close to the ground just when the wind
came and took me with him. I couldn’t believe that I was flying high and low in
whichever way the wind carried me. I was happy that I found a new friend, the
wind.
I looked out across the broad, dawn-pink sky and down over
the beautiful spring garden. The wind left me shimmering, fluttering. Wind gave
me the freedom of motion. Without the wind I would never have seen the world
below or from side to side. Wind rocked me to sleep and shook me awake. Wind
made me dance.
It was a splendid company; I forgot all
about my worries and loneliness and flowed
with him. Wind cared and supported me and somewhat
stirred up a hope within me. There dwelled a wish to live, free and happy. The
sun rose and set, days went by, we moved on. That day the wind felt agitated,
strived to be patient and struggled to control his temper. I could see
the wind throbbing in anguish. Suddenly everything went wrong, wind
changed, I could find wind no more and the storm rose. This was a strong blow on me. A twig pierced through my heart
making a permanent hole. I throttled with the feeling of dejection and
solitude. The storm passed away. I was on the ground, hoping wind will come
looking for me. He didn’t return to me, silence paved in to the atmosphere,
endless questions that augmented within myself all remained unresolved and
unanswered; it seemed all that was there had become a past, a yesterday.
I waited on the ground feeling weak and
worn-out; the shadow of misery over powered me bringing the essence of noxious
misfortune. My incapable heart pleaded for a glance of him. The world stood still, all
its glory and harmony was left behind; everything appeared so prosaic and
hollow. Few days passed I saw the wind, happy as ever, I cried “wind.. take me
with you please.... I have no strength to move.........” The wind didn’t stop
for me for he stops for no one; he just replied “I have no time for you; I have
other things to do....” Then he brushed through the trees, rolling some new
leaves, which are now his new friends. My eyes cried but without a drop coming
out, my heart bled but without a spot of stain. My heart was too
heavy and wind couldn’t blow me away.
I was lost and could feel my life was running
out with each moment that passed by. I lay on the ground motionless, thin and tired, the cold dark
night approached; as the air grew chill, I began to take on the most
magnificent colors. First a yellow cast and then little patches of red and gold
began to creep across it. I had lost all the moisture,
my skin had turned to pale dull colour. It
was a process of gradual decay and I had to wait till the end. I felt my body
dry up and start to crack, I went numb but my emotions were still very much
alive. I was counting the last seconds of my life before I would enter the door
of heaven and meet some of my family members. I knew not what was
the best suitable emotion for me at this juncture of life; should I be down
with forlorn or rise above with ecstasy. I silently prayed for the last time,
“May the nature witness our never ending friendship.... God bless the
wind...... I will die but wind happily forever should live by..........”
