The Last Kiss of Autumn
In a small serene town of Northwood, born and brought up was a gentle boy named Ethan, known for his love for nature. The town was draped in vibrant colors derived from the lapse of seasons, ensuring a constant feast to the eyes. But what made it special was a tree, the town's symbol that was peculiar in its way. 'The Autumn Tree', as they called it, standing tall, donned shades of autumn throughout the year and never sprouted green leaves. The townsfolk regarded this phenomenon as a divine mystery untangled.
Ethan developed a unique bond with this tree over time, his ardor for it only growing stronger each passing day. He would spend countless hours under its vivid shade, reading books, sketching, or merely gazing at its beauty.
One morning, as Ethan was having his daily commune with the tree, an old lady halted near. Wrinkles carving her face, she was Miss Hazel, the oldest resident of Northwood. She had a distinct aura of warmth and wisdom.
'You do love this tree a lot, boy,' Miss Hazel remarked, her eyes reflecting a reminiscing glint. She told Ethan the story that was long forgotten, how decades ago, just like Ethan, she was an ardent admirer of the autumn tree.
'My mother told me,' she said, her voice faltering, 'that the tree turns green again, but only when it is kissed by a true lover of nature.' Ethan was exhilarated to hear that it wasn't a divine act but a magical possibility, for the tree to turn green.
Brimming with determination and love, Ethan was eager to evoke the hidden powers of the tree. Each day, he would close his eyes, channel all his affection towards the tree, and gently kiss its bark. Days turned to weeks and weeks to months but the tree stood unfazed.
One fall afternoon, as he prepared to kiss the tree, a gust of wind blew, making him kiss a vividly hued leaf instead. Ellena was her name, a nature-illustrator in her twenties who had just moved to Northwood, was equally in love with nature. Capturing the beauty of landscapes in her illustrations, she had her eyes set on the special tree of Northwood.
Their instant connection led them to spend time under the Autumn Tree, sharing their common love for nature. As days passed, Ethan found his affection growing for not just the tree but for Ellena. Unsurprisingly, Ellena could feel her heart echoing similar sentiments.
One winter evening, as the fresh white snow was touching the grounds, Ethan gathered his courage, he expressed his feelings, and stole a passionate kiss from Ellena under the shades of their beloved autumn tree.
The next morning, Northwood woke up to an incredible sight. The Autumn tree, the symbol of their town, had sprouted green leaves overnight. The tale of the green leafed autumn tree and lovers soon spread around town. It embraced a greener tone symbolizing their blossoming love, confirming Miss Hazel's old tale.
However, its Autumn attire soon replaced the green at the onset of Autumn, signifying the everlasting love not only for the two passionate nature lovers but for all the townsfolk who cherished the autumn tree and its heartwarming tale.
Ethan and Ellena’s love for each other and the nature around them had stirred the magic that the Autumn tree had held for all those years. For the love of nature was not just the love for its beauty, but also for its beings. As the last leaf fell that autumn, Ethan pulled Ellena into a soft embrace under the tree, life had come full circle.
The story of Ethan and Ellena, the Autumn Tree, and their shared love for nature is something that the little town of Northwood cherishes to this very day. It serves as a reminder of the magic that love holds and the profound impact it can have when it blossoms within the heart and radiates out to the world.