The Red Leaf and the Yellow Leaf

In a beautiful park stood a tall, grand sweetgum tree. Every autumn, the tree put on a magnificent coat of bright red. From afar, it looked just like a giant, open umbrella, and people came from all over to admire its stunning leaves.

One day, a cool autumn breeze swept through the branches. A little leaf, who had already turned a soft yellow, gently drifted down from his branch and landed in the dirt below. Visitors walked back and forth, stepping on the yellow leaf over and over again. He felt a bit sad, but he could only lie quietly in the dirt.

Just then, a vibrant red leaf high up on a branch looked down and saw him. She laughed haughtily and called out, "Oh my, little yellow leaf, look at you! Your color is so dull, and now you’re stuck on the ground getting stepped on by everyone. You’re covered in mud—how absolutely pitiful!"

The yellow leaf looked up and replied softly, "Red leaf, autumn will not last forever. Mr. Wind told me that in the end, we will all return to the earth and become nutrients to feed our Mother Tree."

"Nonsense!" the red leaf rustled boastfully. "Look at me! I am bright red all over, just like a beautiful butterfly. People line up every day to praise me, and they even take out their cameras to snap pictures of me! I will never fall into the mud like you."

Right at that moment, a little boy ran beneath the tree. He pointed to the branches and shouted, "Look, Mommy! That red leaf at the very top is so beautiful!"

His mother smiled and lifted her camera. With a quick click, she took a picture.

Hearing this, the red leaf puffed out her chest, swelling with pride. She turned to a sparrow resting on a nearby branch and said, "Did you hear that? I am the most beautiful leaf on this tree. Everyone loves me!"

The sparrow tilted his head and kindly warned her, "But winter is coming, and the North Wind will be here soon. You had better hold on tight to your branch."

The red leaf sniffed disdainfully. Ignoring the words of the sparrow and the yellow leaf, she chose instead to bask in the praises of the people below. Tired of her endless bragging, the yellow leaf quietly curled up in his spot and didn't say another word.

A few days passed, and the weather grew bitterly cold. The howling North Wind blew so hard that the big tree shook from side to side. The proud red leaf suddenly noticed that her dazzling color was fading. Her edges were turning yellow, and her body felt dry and fragile.

Then, a sudden, powerful gust of wind swept by. No matter how hard she tried, the red leaf could no longer hold on.

"Help me!" she cried, spinning around in the air before tumbling to the ground, landing right next to the little yellow leaf.

The red leaf had lost her vibrant color. People walked right past her; no one stopped to admire her or take her picture. Instead, heavy boots stepped on her again and again. It hurt, and as she lay shivering on the cold ground, she felt a deep sorrow.

Looking up at the tall sweetgum tree, she finally understood what the yellow leaf and the sparrow had meant. Every leaf has its day to turn yellow and fade away; no one can stay on the branch forever.

She turned her head to look at the mud-covered leaf beside her and murmured ashamedly, "I am so sorry, little yellow leaf. I shouldn't have laughed at you before. I finally understand now. No matter how beautiful or popular a leaf once was, the day will always come when it turns yellow, withers, and falls."

Hearing this, the yellow leaf smiled at her gently and said, "It’s alright. Truly, the dirt is quite soft and cozy. Let's take a good rest here together from now on."

From that day on, the two leaves snuggled quietly against the earth, becoming the very best of friends.