It was Daniel who told them that the tree had strong roots which were hidden in the ground below. He explained about the birds who came to sit on their branch and sing morning songs. He explained about the sun, the moon, the stars and the seasons.
Daniel also explained about their purpose as he and Freddie had provided shade during the Summer.
As Fall moves into Winter and Freddie feels the cold and the winds for the first time, he experiences death as his fellow leaves begin to fall. As Daniel tries to explain that this is part of the cycle of life, Freddie stubbornly insists that he won't die. Freddie becomes the voice for all of us as he witnesses death around him:
"Where will we go when we die?"
"No one knows for sure. That's the great mystery!"
"Will we return in the Spring?"
"We may not, but Life will."
"Then what has been the reason for all of this?" Freddie continued to question. "Why were we here at all if we only have to fall and die?"
Daniel provides the only answer that ultimately can be provided to these questions:
Daniel answered in his matter-of-fact way, "It's been about the sun and the moon. It's been about the happy times together. It's been about the shade and the old people and the children. It's been about colors in Fall. It's been about seasons. Isn't that enough?"
As Freddie finally falls to earth, the last leaf to let go of his branch, the story ends with the promise of new life in the spring, and the knowledge that Freddie's life has been a part of and preparation for that new life.
Many thoughts came to my mind as I watched the leaves from my window dances with the wind. I think of how short their lives are. Then I ask my self do leaves realize how it feels to bid farewell to the warmth of the sun? Do they realized as they fall that they mingle with the earth to nourish the tree that has been their mother? Their lives has a purpose, just as our lives do. Every day is always a time for personal reflection. I like to think that as the leaves fall our own sadness and regrets can fall away from our inner selves and swept away by the wind of hope that we may feel happy again as we move forward the year to come.
