A bird and a tree are very good friends. The bird sings for the tree every day. In winter, the bird flies southward, promising to sing for the tree when she returns in spring.
When spring comes, the bird finds only a stump standing in the glade. The bird tries to find the tree but discovers the tree has been made into matchsticks, which have been used up to light a lantern.
The bird stares at the flame in the lantern then sings, as she did for the tree. The flame dances in the lantern and as if to say, “thank you.”
The bird flies away with the lantern and keeps it burning. Sensing the flame, the tree starts to grow back from the stump. Many saplings sprout from the tree’s roots and begin to pullulate throughout the glade, forming a new forest.
After a few years, those saplings reach the bird and bring her back to the tree with their leaves. The bird passes away in the tree’s arms with a smile on her face and some beautiful memories of her friend and the forest.
Short story by the Japanese Nankichi Niimi
clary sage absolute, juniper absolute, cedrat, grapefruit, yuzu, elemi, mastic, guaiac, magnolia, osmanthus, pomegranate, nigella damenscena absolute, ambergris, tobacco absolute, seaweed absolute, vetiver, cabreuva, patchouli, fir balsam, cedar, oakwood, deertongue
Euan McCall
