I have a lot of clients that have trouble dealing with anxiety issues, change, and fear. I deal with mostly elementary aged kids so I am always kept on my toes looking for new material and interventions. I was having trouble finding material one day so I just got inspired to write my own little short story. Given that it is Fall, I wanted to share it again. Maybe someone will discover it and decide to publish it and pay me money! :) HAHA. Anyways--here it is
The Brave Leaf.
Once upon a time, there was a bright and beautiful red leaf
that was afraid to let go of her branch. She liked where she lived and
was content to stay there. The thought of leaving the place she always
knew made her feel troubled and scared. Her home was just at the right
spot where she could feel the warm rays of the sun and hide in the shade
of her tree if she needed.
Every day she could hear a
little boy playing outside. He was a brave little boy. He would imagine
that he was a pirate, a superhero, or even a knight who had to slay a
dragon! He did not seem to be afraid of anything. Still, the thought of letting go of her branch was too overwhelming for her.
As
days passed, she would dance around and up and down as the branches
shook her. She would laugh at the wind as it rushed passed her and
whistled sweet melodies. She would even sing along to the familiar tunes.
One day the tree said to her, "My beautiful leaf, why are you afraid to let go of your branch and fly?"
"I am not brave like the other leaves," she said, "I'm just little ol' me-nothing special."
The
tree was sad when he heard her say this. He had lived many years and
had never seen such a beautiful and special leaf be afraid to let go. He
knew that each of his leaves were special and made for flying.
The
leaf exclaimed, "But what if I land on the road and get trampled? What
if I land on a rooftop, alone? What if the wind is racing by and carries
me to a place I don't know?"
The tree sighed as he reminded her, "My beautiful leaf, do not be afraid or anxious. Let go and fulfill your purpose."
"My
purpose?" She asked herself. The beautiful leaf wondered how she could
even have a purpose. There were thousands of leaves around her, what
did it matter if she let go or stayed?
The morning came
and was quite breathtaking. The rays of the sun collided in perfect
symmetry with the branches of her tree, allowing the sunlight to pierce
through and land on her colors. All the other leaves were flying away
and twirling around her in a vibrant display.
She watched the little boy
running and laughing in the distance-as he fought his imaginary villian
with an inflatable sword. He played as if he had not a care in the
world. And he didn't. He was free.
Then her branches began
to shake and dance as the wind began to whirl. With confidence, the
beautiful leaf let go of her branch and the wind blew her high into the
sky as she flipped, turned, and glided through the autumn day. The leaf
was awe-struck by what her courage allowed her to see and experience.
She was happy.
As the leaf dropped to the ground she smiled and thought of how proud of herself she was to go on that great adventure.
She did something she never thought she could do. And her journey was even more beautiful than she ever imagined.
The leaf
was tired from her adventure.
She thought of the brave little boy and hoped that he got to see her as she was flying through the air.
She began to drift off and dream. As she
fell asleep, she dreamed of being brave, being free, and letting go.
Love and Blessings,
Amanda
