WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

Hundreds of leaves were born on the tree and they were all friends.

Together they danced in the cool breeze and played in the sun.

Daniel was the largest leaf and Freddie\’s best friend.

He knew many things he explained that they were part of a tree in a park. He also explained about the birds, the sun and the moon.

Freddie loved being a leaf. Summer was especially a nice time.

Many people came to the park.\”Let\’s get together and give them some shade,\” said Daniel.\”Giving shade is part of our purpose in life. Making people happy is a good reason for our living.\”

Old people sat under the tree and talked of old times. Children ran around and laughed and it was fun to watch those children having such fun. Summer passed and fall came, soon the leaves changed their colors. Some of the leaves turned red and others turns yellow, Freddie turned purple. They were all very beautiful, and many people came to picnic and to see their beautiful leaves.

One day a strange thing happened some of the leaves were blown off by a strong cold wind. The leaves became frightened, \”what’s happening?\”They said.\”It\’s the time for leaves to change their home.\”Daniel said.\”Some people call it dying.\”

\”Will we all die?\” Freddie asked.\”Yes, \”Daniel answered.\”Everything dies.\” \”I won\’t die!\” said Freddie.

But his friends started to fall one after another; soon the tree was almost bare.\”I\’m afraid of dying, \”Freddie told Daniel.

\”We\’re all afraid of things we don\’t know, \”Daniel said.\”But you were not afraid when spring became summer, or when summer became fall. Changes in life are natural.\”

\”Will we return in spring?\” Freddie asked, \”I don\’t know, but life will. Life lasts forever and we\’re part of it, answered Daniel.

\”We only fall and die, why are we here?\”Freddie asked again.

Daniel said, \”For friends, the sun and the shade. Remember the cool breeze, the people and the colors of fall. Isn’t that enough?\”

That afternoon, Daniel fell with a smile. Freddie was the only leaf left on his branch. The first snow fell the next morning; the wind came and took Freddie from his branch it did not hurt at all.

As he fell, he saw the whole tree for the first time. He remembered Daniel\’s words, \”Life last forever.\”Freddie landed on the soft snow.

He did not know this. But, in the tree and the ground, there were already plans for new leaves in spring.

Honors:Victoria Alexander, Gregory Aquilino, Emma Ball, Helen Barrett, Ariana Beebe, Gabrielle Bobo, Courtney Bocchicchio, Mya Bocchicchio, Richard Bonczak, Brittany Brown, Kenzie Calhoun, Tyler Capner, Allen Chase, Dominick Cipolone, Gabrielle Crain, David Critch, Claire Czerski, Samuel Czerski, James Danielwicz, Laura Danielwicz, Nevada DeFord, Andrew Fehr, Holly Fitzgerald, Kasey Gardner, Taylor Gavin, Erica Gilmore, Maria Granato, Brianna Hamilton, Kirsten Hoffman, Kelsey Immendorf , Lorianne Johanesen, Julie Johnson, Jordan Klingner, Samantha Krieg, Elijah Lapp, Laura Lexa, Jillian Lynch, Matthew Massey, Emily Massi, Trent Maxwell, Meghan McDonough, Carlie McErlane, Alison McHugh, Drew McMonagle, Victoria Milano, Danielle Nicklas, Elise Niessner, Leyla Ozer, Sevda Ozer, Zachary Pacetti, Cole Panek, Madison Panek, Jackson Price, Natalie Price, Austin Rampolla, Colin Rapa-Slover, Hailey Reed, Madison Riek, Andrew Romano, Nicholas Salamone, Lindsay Scirrotto, Matthew Sheehan, Michael Snyder, Robert Snyder, Justin Spadea, Alexis Staib, Logan Stemetzki, Danielle Stevenson, Alexis Venere, Louis Wittje, Jeanine Welsh, John West, Haley Woodington, Morgan Zielinski