A little leaf lay in the middle of a lonely lane. It was a bit orange on the stem but mostly jade. Across the pavement blew another leaf. This leaf was very bright red and gold, like shiny amber.
“Hello,” said Jade, smiling.
“Hello, said Amber.
“You are a very pretty leaf.”
Amber blushed. “I don’t think so,” said Amber, “But thank you.”
“You look sad.”
“I am not sad.”
“Do you want me to hold your hand?”
Amber thought for a second. “Okay.” Jade held Amber’s hand. It was warm. Jade liked Amber.
...
One day Jade saw Amber crying.
“Why are you crying?”
“I am sad.”
“Why are you sad?”
“I don’t want to tell you.”
“Can I help to make you feel better?”
“How?”
“We can play on the swings near the baseball field.”
“Okay. We can play on the swings.”
Jade brought Amber to the empty baseball field with the swings. They swung together. It was fun. For a short while Amber was less sad. They became friends after that.
...
One day Jade and Amber were sitting together. Amber started crying.
“Why are you sad today?”
“I am sad because I am lonely.”
“I can help you to feel better again.”
“How?”
“We can draw some pictures.”
“Okay. We can draw some pictures.”
Jade shared some paper and crayons with Amber. They drew some pictures. Jade gave Amber a picture. It was a picture of two leaves. They had googly eyes and smiles drawn on their leaf faces.
“I drew us,” said Jade, “I drew you red and pretty the way you are.”
Amber liked the drawing very much. For a short while she was less sad. After that the two became best friends.
...
One day Jade and Amber were walking together. Amber started crying.
“What are you sad about?”
“I am sad because I am alone. I have lost my branch and all my leaf family is gone. No one is around to love me anymore.”
Jade sat quietly with Amber.
“Want to be a leaf family with me?” asked Jade.
Amber sniffled. “I think I would like that very much.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Jade held Amber’s hand. It was warm.
...
One day Jade and Amber were watching leaves fall. Amber held Jade’s hand. Amber smiled at Jade. It was a beautiful smile; Amber looked peaceful. Jade had not seen Amber like that ever.
“Are you happy today?” asked Jade.
“Yes, today I am happy,” said Amber, “I am going away. I am moving.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“Where will you go?”
“I don’t know.”
“I don’t want you to go.”
Amber said nothing to that.
“I will be sad when you are gone.”
“I will miss you too.”
...
The next day the wind picked up the amber leaf and it was gone.