Kirra & The Oak Tree

The wonderland of gushing streams is the place to be. I recollect the vines whirling around the trunks of the durable ancient trees, blooms scattered along the chestnut green grass, waterfalls shining with wonder, the perfectly clear water mirroring a radiant white under the splendid daylight.

My flashback of such lovely nature brought back so much endearing memories.

Canoeing, fishing, hunting, tree climbing, camping and many more amazing and fun activities that I enjoy the most brought a smile to my face.

My mind then begins to think about my genuinely, lovely and outgoing mother who passed away, three years back. I haven't been to Echo point Katoomba in the Blue Mountains since. My dad passed away also when I was three years of age. I remember at the age of seven, each morning I would wake up from the sound of kookaburras while my eyes conform to the wonderful landscape of the three sisters remaining in excellence. I originate from a well known native family and since my mother passed away, I had nowhere else to go other than my auntie who lives a three-hour walk away from my home.

One day, I decided to ask my auntie if we can go to Katoomba for my sixteenth birthday. It took her a while to concur, yet in the end, she did. The motivation behind why I wanted to visit is because I truly miss my friends and my mum and dad's companions as well. Ever since I left my hometown, I haven't been happy since. My Auntie realised that I've changed as well. I wasn't my upbeat, bubbly and amusing self. I didn't just change because I left my hometown, realising that I don't have a mother any longer shreds my heart. I had a decent friend named Alinta whose mother passed away from suffocation as she was attempting to catch some fish. I recall Alinta running up to me, tears running down her face as though she plunged her face into a river. Sensitivity washed over my face when she told me the bad news that her mother passed on. I was stunned. All I could do was to give her an embrace while she keeps sobbing on my shoulder. I had no clue how she was feeling, I don't recall the time my dad passed away, however now I comprehend her agony, the sensitivity I felt for her changed to empathy on the day my own mother passed away from the same mishap.

A three-hour walk isn't as terrible as a three-day walk that is without a doubt. My Auntie was grumbling about her feet and legs hurting relentless.

"Kirra! Slow down, my legs, I can't keep up with you."

"Sorry Auntie, I'm just so excited to see everyone again".

As I slowed down for my Auntie to catch up with me, flashbacks I haven't seen in a while help me remember the reason why I am named after a leaf from a very special tree.

"Mummy look, there is a koala in that tree!"

"Yes darling that is a koala, good job; can you guess what the name of the tree the koala is on Kirra?"

"Well, it is a very big tree and the wood looks really strong and thick so I think it's an Oak Tree"

"Well done Kirra, I am so proud of you. You see this Oak tree is very special for both of us, do you know why"

"No mummy I don't"

"It's special because this is your grandpa's tree as well as your father's tree and before your father passed away he told me to take care of it because you never know what could happen one day."

"What do you mean mummy?"

"Remember how I told you that my hometown was bombarded with intruders with white skin and they ordered everyone to leave, well that can happen to us one day, take away our land to build a new town".