Weeping Willow

Words: And, Tree, Happy, Flame, Suddenly, Whisper

The old oak tree swayed ever so slightly in the playful summer breeze, one that was like a young child oblivious of its own strength. Under the rustling tree, a young girl danced, carefree and happy. The stars twinkled and glistened above, joining her in a joyful jubilee. She smiled as the whooshing breeze twirled her hair around and tickled her rosy cheeks. She breathed in the sweet scent that could only ever linger on a windy night in the peak of summer. The little girl ran gleefully through the overgrown grass and landed in a meadow filled with blossoming plants, weed and wildflower alike. Then suddenly a bright blaze appeared in the distance, looking a thousand times brighter than the fireflies, the stars and the crescent moon, merely a sliver of light in the vast dark sky. She eagerly ran towards the light, wondering what lay ahead of her and what beautiful thing could possibly possess such a bright and lovely glow. When she arrived her delight and peace were shattered. The lovely oak tree that had rustled and stood over her, giving more wisdom in its silence then a million words ever could, was coated by flames. They licked at its strong trunk and turned the branches she had hung from in delight so many times into ash. Her lovely companion that had listened to her more than any human ever had was gone and soon the blaze would spread to the rest of the wood, engulfing her treasured fairyland in flames. She was too dazed to do anything for a few lingering moments but then reality washed over her and she raced towards the nearby stream, not caring about her own safety. When she reached the stream, she stopped short. If she jumped into it the stream would keep her safe but if she tried to help her forest then she would risk her own safety. Suddenly, she felt as though the wind was whispering a message in her ear. A rhythm of three consistent words: “Save your forest, save your forest”. Forgetting all fear for herself, the young girl found a new determination inside her heart, and she made the decision that changed her life. She grabbed her bag that she had spent many laborious hours weaving out of the weeds in the meadow, filled it up with water and unfettered, she ran into the blazing forest. She ran back and forth again and again, giving bag after bag of water to her forest. She was too slow. Every flame she doused would soon be replaced by four new ones before she returned from her trip to the stream. She was ready to give up hope when suddenly, a miracle happened. The one tree that was still untouched by the flames, a young flimsy fir tree, stretched out its branches and repetitively carried her to the stream and back. Finally, she managed to suppress the last flame, one that had lingered on her precious oak tree, with a single tear. Her friend that she had given her heart to was gone. Her silent tears fell, glittering on the ashes that were all that remained of the wise old oak tree, the oak that had been her best friend. Then, suddenly, she noticed something tucked in the ground beside the ember and ashes of the mighty oak. A glimmer of hope flickered inside her as she curiously brushed away the ashes to reveal a tiny sapling unscathed by the ruthless blaze. She devoted the rest of her life to mending the forest’s broken heart. However, her solace was the sapling. She nurtured it and watched it grow, believing that it might be her friend, reborn and young again after years of life and wisdom. When she died, peacefully of old age, she joined her dearest friends, and was reborn as a small sapling, growing next to the tree she had grown herself. She always graced the world with her gentle beauty and love, having grown past the grief for her dearest friend, though it still lingered in her heart. She was the very first weeping willow to grace this world. Her friend, the old oak, always knew her as Willow.