It had always been there for all to see, but its significance was so little that no one cared about its existence. But... not to her. Ever since Shady graced her eyes on the dead tree that stood gallantly along the hike pathway, she felt this sort of sadness in her heart.
But that wasn't just the case. The moment she got closer to it, she saw a lot of marks around it, and just alone was enough to spike up her curious mind. She wanted to know why the tree still stood there and, most importantly, why it was dead. So, she began with her little quest. Every day, Shady took it on herself to gather manure and water the tree. What started as days of curiosity turned to be weeks of habit.
Not only did Shady water the tree, she also gently touched the tree as if patting a baby on the back and her lips were always on and on with different stories and the things she saw on her way. She would speak gently to the dead tree as she water it, and within a month, the tree grew a tiny leaf, and that alone brought smiles up Shady's face.
However, the next day, Shady's heart almost got ripped from her chest when she saw a woodcutter getting his equipment ready to cut down the tree. Her voice roared as she rushed to the scene, stopping the woodcutter in his track. Her voice drew in a few hikers, and her words touched few old people around. Apparently, some hikers had complained about the dead tree to the authority, which had prompted the woodcutters' presence.
But Shady wasn't going to give up and let the tree be cut down. News outlets carried the news, and in just a few days, calls came in from different places, and the story behind the tree was uncovered.
The hike pathway where the tree stood was once a war zone, and the tree had been a shield used in those times. It was the only tree that stood and survived for decades, and that story alone sparked more positive reactions from people.
Shady's action was rewarded, though she donated it all to an orphanage home. All she asked was that she was able to perform her daily routine with the tree and urged others to do that as well.
Months passed by quickly, and the once dead tree had grown more leaves and now became an attraction both home and abroad.
This is my response to @mariannewest 5 minute write the lost ward.
Still yours truly, Balikis.
Thanks for reading.
Peace be unto those who crave it and more to those who chase it away.