Moonbrim
Rusty and the Last Leaf
One by one, every leaf on the great oak let go and drifted away, but Rusty held on, terrified that falling meant the end. A gentle bedtime story about the last cold branch, a small singing chickadee, and what one small leaf became for the whole spring. For every little one afraid of endings.
One by one, everyone let go but Rusty. Autumn painted the great oak amber and gold. Rusty gripped his branch as wind pulled hard.
His friends spun loose toward the meadow. Only a few leaves remained on the branch. The wind grew colder and branches grew empty.
The last leaf on a tree, shaking alone. A small chickadee landed close on the branch. Fallen ones keep the roots warm, sang bird.
Rusty trembled as his grip slowly loosened. At last, he let go and spiraled. He landed softly over a tiny sleeping seedling.
He fell and became a blanket for spring.