A Story of Life for All Ages: Freddie the Leaf

Sometimes, it takes a simple story to explain a complex concept. The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscalgia is such a tale that is simple and timeless. The beauty of this story lies in its simplicity and clarity in explaining the complex meaning of life through the simple language written for young readers.

This story also tackles some profound philosophical questions on life:

-Purpose of existence? "To make things more pleasant for others is a reason for being."
-Why the leaves turned different color on the same tree? "Each of us is different."
-Fear of death? "It's natural that we all fear what we don't know."
-What is death? "Everything dies. No matter how big or small, how weak or strong." Death is part of the life cycle.

Enjoy the story.

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf

Spring had passed. So had Summer. Freddie, the leaf, had grown large. His mid section was wide and strong, and his five extensions were firm and pointed. He had first appeared in Spring as a small sprout on a rather large branch near the top of a tall tree.

Freddie was surrounded by hundreds of other leaves just like himself, or so it seemed. Soon he discovered that no two leaves were alike, even though they were on the same tree. Alfred was the leaf next to him. Ben was the leaf on his right side, and Clare was the lovely leaf overhead. They had all grown up together. They had learned to dance in the Spring breezes, bask lazily in the Summer sun and wash off in the cooling rains.

But it was Daniel who was Freddie's best friend. He was the largest leaf on the limb and seemed to have been there before anyone else. It appeared to Freddie that Daniel was also the wisest among them. It was Daniel who told them that they were part of a tree. It was Daniel who explained that they were growing in a public park. 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.

Freddie loved being a leaf. He loved his branch, his light leafy friends, his place high in the sky, the wind that jostled him about, the sun rays that warmed him, the moon that covered him with soft, white shadows. Summer had been especially nice. The long hot days felt good and the warm nights were peaceful and dreamy. There were many people in the park that Summer. They often came and sat under Freddie's tree. Daniel told him that giving shade was part of his purpose.

"What's a purpose?" Freddie had asked.

"A reason for being," Daniel had answered.

Read the rest of the story here.






John Lennon - An icon with a vision

December 8th was the anniversary of John Lennon's passing twenty years ago. Born on October 9, 1940, John Lennon was one of the members of the legendary The Beatles.

"Imagine", released in 1971, is a song written and performed by John Lennon. Since its release, "Imagine" has been included in many greatest-songs-of-all-time lists. Rolling Stone ranked "Imagine" the 3rd greatest song of all time in The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

As a visionary and a true artist, Lennon believed that "we are all one country, one world, one people" on this planet as he penned his immortal lyrics of world peace in "Imagine". This song is known in every part of the world. "Imagine" has become a legend in its own right.

Here are the lyrics of "Imagine":

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one






 
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