Member-only story
It was summer, and I was in the autumn of my life. Being in an adventurous mood, I ventured deep into the woods. Deeper than most folks dare. The folks in the village say there are strange things deep in the woods. I figured I had seen all the usual things I cared to see. A strange thing or two might be a nice change.
As I explored, I heard a soft voice calling to me. I followed the sound, and to my amazement, it was coming from a tree. I had never encountered a talking tree, so I was quite curious.
The tree said, “I am the Memory Tree. Break a small branch off my trunk.”
“Will that not hurt you?” I asked.
“Fear not, I will grow another to replace it.”
So I did as the tree instructed. Instantly I recalled a memory from my youth. A pleasant memory I had not had for many long years. I was both shocked and delighted.
As I stared in wonder, the tree said, “Try another.”
So I did. And another happy memory appeared in my mind.
“This is unbelievable,” I said.
“And yet it is happening, so you may believe it,” the tree replied.
