The Flames of Autumn
In autumn, many places take on a new look. The small forest on the hillside also changes into new clothes. The mix of red and yellow is dazzlingly beautiful, pleasing to the eye.
This small forest on the hillside is a paradise for the little animals, who often come here to search for food, play, and frolic… Look, early this morning, the badger brothers came here. The forest is full of fruit trees, especially the ripe red dates, which hang high on the branches like garnet stones, making your mouth water just by looking at them. A gust of wind from last night had knocked many of the ripe dates onto the ground. The badger brothers happily picked them up.
In no time, they had filled a whole basket with dates. Carrying the basket, the two brothers came to a large maple tree. “Wow, look at all those flames!” the younger badger exclaimed as he looked up in awe.
“Those aren’t flames, they’re my leaves,” came a voice from the forest. The brothers looked at each other, not sure who was talking to them. “It’s me, the maple tree in front of you.” It was only then that the badger brothers realized the tree could talk.
“Hello, Maple Tree! Why do your leaves look like flames?” the older badger asked curiously.
“When autumn comes, my leaves turn into this color,” said the maple tree. “But they also hold different meanings and purposes.”
“What meanings?” the brothers asked in unison.
The maple tree gently swayed and said, “Autumn has arrived, the crops have ripened, the fruits are ready, and the air is filled with the fragrance of the harvest. So, I use my fiery red leaves to celebrate the bountiful season.”
“Are there other meanings or uses?” the badger brothers asked.
The maple tree calmly replied, “These leaves are also liked by fish and ants. The wind carries them down to the streams and anthills below. As the weather gets colder, the fish and ants use them to stay warm.”
“Yes, just seeing these flame-like leaves makes you feel warm, even if they’re not covering you,” the older badger chimed in.
At that moment, a wild goose flew over from the distance and said, “We’ll use these ‘flames’ to redden the horizon and light up our way to the south.” After saying that, she picked up a fiery red maple leaf from the ground and flew away.
The badger brothers looked up at the sky again, watching as the goose and her companions formed lines—sometimes in a straight “I” shape, and sometimes in a “V” shape—as they flew farther and farther away…
Another gust of wind blew, and the leaves danced with it. The “flames” flickered and seemed to burn brighter and brighter…
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
