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#The Great Outdoors

How Old Woody Picked His Leading Leaf

Once upon a time, on our quaint little farm nestled in the heart of Maplewood County, there stood a colossal sugar maple tree, old as Methuselah and just as wise. This venerable tree, which had witnessed countless seasons, harbored a secret longing for the day when it could flaunt the very first orange leaf of autumn. And on a crisp September morning, that day finally arrived.

You see, our sugar maple tree, whom we affectionately called "Old Woody," was no ordinary tree. He had spent centuries absorbing the wisdom of the earth, the whispers of the wind, and the laughter of generations of farmfolk. Old Woody was more than a tree; he was a sage in bark and leaves.

Now, as the days grew shorter and the air turned brisk, Old Woody began to feel the stirrings of autumn within his gnarled branches. But he knew that the time had come for him to choose which leaf would bear the honor of being the first to turn orange. It was a decision not to be taken lightly.

In the wee hours of that fateful day, Old Woody gathered all his wisdom and summoned a council of his most trusted leaves. They rustled and swayed in anticipation, knowing that the destiny of one among them was about to change forever.

"Dear leaves," Old Woody began in his deep, rumbling voice, "Autumn has arrived, and it's time for one of you to blaze the trail. But who among you shall it be?"

The leaves quivered with excitement, each one vying for the prestigious role of the chosen leaf. They boasted about their size, their symmetry, and even their resilience in the face of mischievous squirrels.

But Old Woody, being the sagacious tree he was, listened carefully to their arguments, and then he whispered his decision to a single, unassuming leaf. This leaf, unlike its showier counterparts, was plain and humble, but it possessed a quiet grace that captured Old Woody's heart.

As dawn painted the sky with hues of pink and gold, that unassuming leaf, nestled in the highest bough, began its transformation. A vibrant orange hue crept along its edges, and as the sun's rays caressed it gently, it blazed like a miniature sun.

Word quickly spread across the farm, and soon, neighbors and passersby came to admire the very first orange leaf of autumn on Old Woody's branches. It became a symbol of hope and change, a reminder that even the most humble among us can shine when given the chance.

And so, Old Woody's choice was celebrated far and wide, proving once again that in the whimsical world of nature, even a wise old tree can have a sense of humor, choosing the most unexpected leaf to lead the way into a new season of laughter and color.

Published Sat, Oct 07, 2023
Suggested by W.Denaro
Managing Editor

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