What do you see?
“The faint light of the sky, between the leaves of the trees. What do you hear?”
The gentle sound of the leaves in the trees.
“Fall is coming. The leaves are falling down and scattering around on the ground.”
Oh, they are? Yes, I guess they would be, at this time of year....
...Wait, what did you just say? Your words were a little garbled.
“I'm sorry. It is kind of difficult to speak.”
But you're really good at it.
“I suppose so.”
I wish I could go farther outside than just my backyard. But I am thankful that we never cut down the trees back here. It makes me feel like I really am farther away, off in the forest, even if I'm not.
“Yes... even if it isn't the largest, your backyard is still... peaceful. And this bench, it has a beautiful design.”
Oh... I don't even remember what it looks like anymore.
“It's simple, really. But elegant. There's leaves and vines engraved into it.”
I've got a vague image.
“It's getting a little bit lighter out. I guess we really did stay out here all night.”
It doesn't feel like it.
“I know....”
“...Huh? That didn't make any sense just now.”
My mistake. It's a bit difficult for me to communicate with you, as well.
“But I'm glad we can.”
Yes. Oh, I can hear something up in the trees. Is there something there?
“Hm? Where?”
Right above us.
“Oh! It's a squirrel.”
How cute. Could you describe it?
“It's just sitting there, looking around. It's got a really fluffy tail, and it's a light, soft, gray color. Oh, there it goes.”
I can feel the design you mentioned, on the bench. It's gotten very worn down since the last time I ever even noticed it.
“Yes. It really has. But it still looks pretty. Ah, the sun is rising.”
I've always thought sunrises were beautiful. More beautiful than sunsets, in my opinion.
“It's just a light yellow color, coming up from behind the trees.”
I always wanted to find a nice, clear area to watch a sunrise. Somewhere where the trees weren't in the way.
“I always wanted to just sit by a pond on a summer night, and listen to the frogs and the crickets, with fireflies lighting up the water.”
I guess we both lost those things.
“Yeah.”
Is the sky cloudless today again?
“Uh-huh. The sunlight from the sunrise is spreading around the sky pretty quick, too. It's a pretty pink color now.”
Any stars left in the sky?
“Just one. Right above our heads. But the sun is almost risen now, and it's fading.”
Huh.
“Earlier, I could see the stars reflected in your eyes.”
Really....
“The worst kinds of tears are silent tears. Please don't cry. For me, all tears now are silent.”
That must be terrible for you.
“Yes... so please don't cry. If you don't cry, I won't, either.”
Okay... but only if you promise to catch me a firefly, and save it for the day when I'll be able to see it with my own eyes.
“I promise. But only if you promise to find me a pond to listen to the frogs and crickets, and remember where it is so that I can hear those things with my own ears someday.”
All right. I promise.
“What do you see?”
The yellow glow of a firefly. What do you hear?
“Nature's orchestra of frogs and crickets.”
I'm sorry... I guess I'm crying again. I know you don't like silent tears.
“Yes, but... they aren't silent anymore.”
