Winter

Winter

Sunday, October 17, 2010

The Leaves


One of the books I have loved has been Bambi. Forever
ruined by Walt Disney. It has a very deep message in it
and nothing at all like the cartoon.
In the book is this odd little chapter about this conversion
between two leaves. It has been something I have read to myself
for years on the day that the last leaves fall from the trees.
I read it out loud to my children and have all of their lives.
This being Sunday I thought I would re-post it from last year.
I know it is a bit long but it is nice.
Have a lovely Sunday.


The leaves were falling from the great oak at the meadow's edge. They were falling from all the trees. One branch of the oak reached high above the others and stretched far out over the meadow. Two leaves clung to its very tip.

" It isn't the way it used to be," " said one leaf to the other. " No," the other leaf answered. "So many of us have fallen off to-night we're almost the only ones left on our branch."
"You never know who's going to go next," said the first leaf. "Even when it was warm and the sun shone, a storm or a cloudburst would come sometimes, and many leaves were torn off, though they were still young. You never know who's going to go next."

"The sun seldom shines now," sighed the second leaf, "and when it does it gives no warmth. We must have warmth again."
"Can it be true," said the first leaf, "can it really be true, that others come to take our places when we're gone and after them still others, and more and more?"
"It is really true," whispered the second leaf."We can't even begin to imagine it, it's beyond our powers."
"It makes me very sad," added the first leaf.
They were silent a while . Then the first leaf said quietly to herself, "Why must we fall?..."
The second leaf asked, "What happens to us when we have fallen?" "We sink down...."
"What is under us?" The first leaf answered, "I don't know , some say one thing, some another , but nobody knows."
The second leaf asked, "Do we feel anything, do we know anything about ourselves when we're down there?" The first leaf answered, "Who knows? Not one of all those down there has ever come back to tell us abut it." They were silent again. The first leaf said tenderly to the other, "Don't worry so much about it, you're trembling." "That's nothing," the second leaf answered, "I tremble at the least thing now. I don't feel so sure of my hold as I used to." "Let's not talk any more about such things," said the first leaf.
The other replied, "No, we'll let be. But---what else shall we talk about?" She was silent, but went on after a little while, "Which of us will go first?" "There's still plenty of time to worry about that," the other leaf assured her. "Let's remember how beautiful it was , how wonderful, when the sun came out and shone so warmly that we thought we'd burst with life. Do you remember? And the morning dew, and the mild and splendid nights...."
"Now the nights are dreadful," the second leaf complained, " and there is no end to them."
"We shouldn't complain," said the first leaf gently. "We've outlived many, many others."
"Have I changed much?" asked the second leaf shyly but determinedly. "Not in the least," the first leaf assured her. "You only think so because I've got to be so yellow and ugly. But it's different in your case." "You're fooling me," the second leaf said.
"No, really," the first leaf exclaimed eagerly, "believe me, you're as lovely as the day you were born. Here and there may be a little yellow spot but it's hardly noticeable and only makes you handsomer, believe me." "Thanks," whispered the second leaf, quite touched. "I don't believe you, not altogether, but I thank you because you're so kind, you've always been so kind to me. I'm just beginning to understand how kind you are." "Hush," said the other leaf, and kept silent herself for she was to troubled to talk any more. Then they were both silent, Hours passed.
A moist wind blew, cold and hostile, through the tree-tops. "Ah, now," said the second leaf, "I..." Then her voice broke off. She was torn from her place and spun down.
Winter had come.

From Bambi by Felix Salten

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, for His wonderful works to the children of men!

(Psalm. 107:6)

14 comments:

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

That is just awesome! I have never read that...I will have to get the book. So many books and so little time.
Well we both were on Disney kick this morning...mine is the song from Joseph.
Oh, I love this!!!
Have a wonderful and blessed Sunday!! Our leaves aren't falling yet, still in the 80's and 90's. But my four year old is ready to jump in the leaves.

Jacque. said...

Kim...I have never seen it before. Reminds me a bit of the children's book, "The Fall of Freddie the Leaf", which is much simpler than what you wrote. Love it! Thank you for sharing this.

Kim said...

That is beautiful. I have never read it before either. Like janette - now I want the book.
Happy Sunday

Patrice said...

Ive read the original Bambi, but I can't say that I remember that.

TexWisGirl said...

I loved Bambi as a child. My sister borrowed the book from the school library and re-typed it on our old Royal typewriter so we could keep a copy for ourselves (we were too poor to go to a book store and buy one!)

Loved this post. I remember reading that sad part. Very poignant...

Simple Home said...

Like several of the others, I've never read that. It has so many life connotations. I loved it. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Marcia

Meg said...

Wow, what a beautifully sad piece of the story. I've never read the book.

Julia said...

Kim, you are such a wise woman, thanks for sharing this version of Bambi's book which I never knew or heard about before now. I was just thinking that it would be a great reflection to read at our lady's church meeting especially at this time of year. I must look for that book too. Have a blessed Sunday. JB

Kessie said...

That excerpt always makes me want to cry. It's so sad. I imagine this is going on on the East Coast right now, what with all their storms. Around here, most leaves are still green. :-)

Farm Girl said...

I did notice when I was driving today and the leaves are starting to turn red at the tops of the trees so we might be getting some red for a bit.

Cotton Eyed Jo said...

Don't think I've ever actually read the book of Bambi, and found the movie version disturbing as a child. shudder I was familiar with the Fall of Freddie the Leaf like Jacque. Loved reading of texwisgirl's sister typing out a copy of the book, so that they could have it.

I look at earth cycles as one of the comfortable things of life, changes in the moon, seasonal changes, migrating animals. Even the changes in daylight throughout the year.

I'm looking forward to seeing the movie that comes out next week with Matt Damon, Hereafter, I believe it is called. Directed by Clint Eastwood. Death is a difficult concept in so many ways. WE HAVE BEEN there for all of our life, and yet we have lost others throughout our life.

I loved the part of the Sopranos series when Tony was hospitalized and in "Limbo". His reactions when he revived were somewhat out of character for him. Later he said to Dr. Malfi, "I felt as if life was a gift, turned out it was socks." Returning to his way of living out his values and excusing the things he did. We all struggle so with knowing the secret of life, only to discover at some point the only secret it truly holds at the beginning is how we will choose to live it.

I'm glad you included blogging in your life, and shared this passage with us today.

Kent Island Red said...

Hi Kim,
I've never read the book - only remember the movie and how sad I was when Bambi's mother died. It's a beautiful passage from the book - but sad, too.

Sue said...

I too have not read the book, Kim, This is beautiful but also sad. It was as if I was a leave sitting there with them, very poetic too. Thanks for sharing,
Hugs,
Sue

Diana Ferguson said...

Thanks for the post!! I hope you have a great day....