Once upon a time, in a beautiful northern city, there lived a Maple tree.
How it came to be there, it could no longer remember. People usually say that where you are born, that's where you belong.
The Maple stood with its branches spread wide open like an embrace, observing life around it. Sometimes sparrows took shelter in its crown from rain and wind, and sometimes children returning from school would stop to chat nearby.
Young couples in love enjoyed daydreaming in its shade during summer.
And so the Maple lived. After some time had passed, an elderly man with gray hair moved into the house next to it. The Maple often saw him. The old man had sad eyes and a kind heart.
One day, the old man stopped by the Maple. The Maple rustled its leaves:
Old man, I have known you for a long time. You are alone and I am alone. Let us grieve together.
Why grieve? Let us rejoice in each day. Look at how many wonders surround us!
And it was true. The Maple began to notice how the Sun shone with a special brilliance, with love. People came beneath the tree's branches, sharing kind intentions and sincere feelings.
One golden autumn day, a little girl, a first-grader, approached the Maple. With delight, she gathered its multicolored leaves into a beautiful bouquet, stroked it with love, and ran away.
"Grandfather, look! These are my friends! They are real and beautiful!" the girl cried to the old man from the doorway. Before the old man, the leaves spread out like a fan in unprecedented beauty.
"What a good Maple tree. So much kindness comes from it," thought the old man.
The next day, the Maple was cut down. And an emptiness formed in the old man's soul. The sparrows no longer chirped as brightly, and the sun stopped warming.
Winter came, cold and frosty, with the fireworks of New Year's.
The old man lived through it with an open heart and quiet sadness.
Winter passed, and rosy spring took its place.
The May sun gently warmed life around it. Warmth awakened everywhere.
One day, his granddaughter ran through the open doors to the old man: "Grandfather, small branches with leaves have appeared on the maple stump. A miracle! A real miracle!"
The old man laughed, and the world answered him with kind laughter. Once again, it was time to rejoice in each day.
