On the edge of a forgotten village stood an ancient oak tree, its gnarled branches, casting a soft, verdant hue under the landscape. Beneath it, a long outdoor bench inviting weary travelers to take comfort.
Henry, a man with a heavy heart, founds himself drawn to the bench one cold spring evening. He is once a powerful, successful, wealthy and famous businessman with a beautiful wife and family living in his mansion in New York. But now, he lost everything–his company, his power, his wealth, his fame, his home, his wife, his family, his friends and, most importantly, his Hope. He sank onto the bench staring at the night sky letting his thoughts flow freely, unaware of the soft whispers of the wind through the leaves.
As the stars pierced the darkness, an old man appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. His eyes were kind but timeworn, reflecting the wisdom of countless existences. He sat beside him, silent for a moment, then spoke in a voice as gentle as swishing leaves.
"Are you alright?"
"Is there's something wrong?"
He then spoke in a depressed and painful voice.
"Well, you see my life is full of tragedies."
"My company has been bankrupt, my money was been stolen, a tarnished my reputation, my wife cheated on me, my family left me, my friends abandoned me, and my property that I own has been stolen from me."
"I lost everything, everything that I have and everything that I own is gone."
"I wish that I have the power to change the past because is just so unfair that everything bad is happening to me for no reason and everything isn't exactly goes as a expected it to be"
With a soft sigh the old man spoke:
"Remember everything in life happens for a reason. Good days, tells you that life is beautiful and Bad days tells you that there is more to learn from life. Good people brings valuable memories and bad people gives valuable lessons."
"The past cannot be changed, the future is uncertain; so live in the present moment. Don't let the past and future ruin the present; forgive yourself, start again right here, right now."
"Also, do you know the legend of this tree?"
Henry responds and said:
"No, I don't know."
"It is said that this tree grants peace, solace and serenity to those who beneath it. If you listen closely, it will reveal a path of hope and healing."
Henry closed his eyes, allowing the sounds of the breezy night to wash over him. The rustling leaves began to form to words and meanings, intertwining a story of hope, peace, joy, perseverance, rebirth, resilience and serenity. Images of his past, present and possible futures danced behind his eyelids. He saw himself rising from the ashes, stronger, smarter, wiser, more determined and better than ever.
When he opened his eyes, the old man is gone, but his words and the tree's wisdom remained. Henry stood, his heart lighter, his purpose clearer and his life more meaningful. He walked away from the bench with a renewed sense of hope, leaving his despair behind.
The ancient yet deciduous oak tree stood sentinel, its silent message and his legend endures: If you feel like you're losing everything, remember, trees lose their leaves every year yet they still stand tall and wait for better days to come.
