Wind rustles her leaves on all of her mighty branches. How many years now? How many seasons? Far too many to keep track of the life of an old oak tree.
Folks in the nearby town say she has been here for hundreds of years. Even long before pictures were taken of people picnicking in her shade, or playing ball along the meadow.
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| 📸 Monsterkoi on pixabay |
Perhaps 400 years have passed. The great old oak tree has seen the stars and moon quietly foretell time. She has also not just seen the sun rising and resting, but also the winter’s snow, the springtime blooms, the summer’s heat drying up the nearby stream, the falling leaves in spectacular colors. She has witnessed the very essence of life’s cycles.
Pondering all this one particular summer day, the old oak tree was watching a mayfly buzz about. She has seen those flies many, many times before, but never thought about them twice. This mayfly seemed happy hanging around.
“Why are you so happy Mr. Mayfly?” asked the old oak tree.
“Who me? Hee-hee-hee! I am free now of my larvae and can move about!” replied Mr. Mayfly.
“That must feel wonderful, that you can go wherever you want to now. I however, am stuck in this same place for hundreds of years, although my leaves get to fly away a little bit every year. At least the scenery is still beautiful except far over there, where mankind has built a city.” Miss Oak Tree shook a branch just south of her to point it out.
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| 📸 Erik Karits on pixabay |
“Well that sounds like a great life you have there, Miss Oak Tree, said Mr. Mayfly. “But I too cannot travel far. You see I know I only have today to live. One day.”
Miss Oak Tree seemed to shudder in the light breeze. “Only one day? How can you be so happy? Why aren’t you sad?”
“Why be sad over something that I cannot control?” asked Mr. Mayfly. “I have this day. This moment. I am alive. I am free. I can see, move, hear, taste, touch, all in this very moment I can live life to the fullest,” smiled Mr. Mayfly.
“My goodness! What a wonderful attitude Mr. Mayfly,” Miss Oak Tree looked around at the beauty of nature throughout the fields and the stream. She became somber for a moment, realizing how fortunate she was to have all this, day in and day out, with all the seasons revolving. Even being able to see the stars and moon.
“You know Mr. Mayfly, I may be able to live hundreds of years, and be witness to many, many things, but I have never thought of just enjoying the moment, appreciating what I have. I do hope your one day of life will be joyful. I do believe it is already meaningful. You mayflies help with keeping the water fresh, help with continuing the balance of life itself.”
Mr. Mayfly smiled, but with a tear in his tiny eye. “Thank you Miss Oak Tree. It is good to know I could help in some small way.”
The day shadowed into dusk, the moon and stars began to light up the sky. Mr. Mayfly flit about, slower and slower. Miss Oak Tree watched over him.
Moral of the story: Life ends, life continues, and somewhere life begins again. Make the most of it. You never know how much time you’ll be around. Theresa M
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| 📸 Arcaion on pixabay |
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information about mayflies can be found at Encyclopedia Brittanica - Mayfly
information about oak trees can be found at Discover Wildlife - Oak Tree Facts
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