Born Again

As the little boy sat next to the window
Staring into the emptiness,
He heard a voice from somewhere
Which asked the reason for his sadness.

He looked around, but could see no one
He wondered from where the voice came?
He asked the unknown voice
'Who are you and what's your name?'

The answer was shocking and surprising
As the voice said, it was a tree.
"I am standing right in front of you
Dear, open your eyes and see."

"I have seen you sitting here so many times
And I wonder what you think
Your blank eyes worry me child
Tell me what makes your heart sink."

"Why don't you come out and play?
Why don't you jump and dance?"
The boy kept quiet for a while
As if he was in a trance.

Quietly the boy said, "I can't"
The tree was surprised and asked him why
"I can't move my legs
And, I can't jump or dance" came the short reply.

The tree then said, "Don't be sad.
One day you will be able to play
Then you can come and climb me
Mark my words, I say."

The tree and boy became the best of friends
They laughed and cried together
Through the window they talked and talked
And promised they will be friends forever.

One day, the boy said happily
I am going to a faraway place
There they will make my legs alright
And then, I will be able to walk with grace.

The tree was happy and delighted
And it said, "I will wait for you.
Then we can play all the games you want
And I hope very soon I see you."

After six months the boy came back
I can play with my friend he thought
As he got down from the car
In place of the tree, all he could see was a parking lot.

His eyes were filled with tears
As he came to know his friend was cut and sold
The boy was angry and upset
As his mother said, "Anyway the tree was very old"

The boy went near the place
Where his friend once stood
There he saw a little sapling
And like a flash everything he understood.

He took the sapling and planted it in the woods
With the picture of his old friend in his mind
Now he could see the sapling grow
And cherish the memories his friend has left behind.