Leaf me alone

That day, my friend was sucked into the ground. I didn’t know when I would go in. The scientists and police officers came to the site.

They took samples of the ground to check what had caused it. I knew the reason but they didn’t know the seriousness of the issue that was going to happen. I was sad as well as happy.

The ground was barren. No trees and no water. It had been years since it had rained. The pale looking scientist with his glasses slowly rubbed on the floor and said, “This is not normal.” The commissioner looked at the large hole through which my friend disappeared.

“Yeah,” he said with concern.

It was all because of a man who had brown hair and curly black hair. He was an ox of a man. He worked so hard to save the trees.

*****

Meanwhile, the weather commission was called for. There wasn’t any weather change anyways.

They scanned the underground with their underground scanners. But, what they saw was unbelievable. A man, raging with fire, was sitting on a throne made up of twigs. I wondered how the twigs were not burned, because he was covered in fire.

“What is this, commissioner?” the scientist asked.

“I wanted to ask you that,” the commissioner replied, rubbing his head in confusion.

“Let’s go and check out,” another blond police officer whispered to the commissioner.

The miners were called and in minutes a large hole was dug. The police officers put on their headlights and went in. They had never been to a place like that.

Then too it was unlikely that anyone would go underground. The next second I was sucked in. I thought I was destined to see those events. I didn’t know who was going to come next.

*****

The man spent all the time talking with me about the effects of deforestation and asked all humans to stop cutting trees. But, nobody listened to him. Now, they are going to suffer under him.

*****

I was happy to see all my friends standing in a row. However, the fact I was stuck in the mud dimmed any joy I felt initially at the sight of my friends. The police slowly glided through the mud and followed the compass. Finally, they saw him, face to face. Most of the police officers ran away and some trembled with fear.

“Why did you come here?” He shouted.

“Who are you? And why are you causing trouble in our world?”the commissioner shouted. The fire headed man threw a fireball at the commissioner, which he dodged.

“I am the only one who can shout here. So, if you raise your voice, I will make you like a roasted chicken,” he said, standing up from his seat.

“Okay, sir.” Even the commissioner was afraid of him.

The fire headed man, named Flak, was a guy from Dragon planet.

*****

The man was unbreakable. He wanted to save my race. We were close to extinction. He planted trees everywhere. But, every time he planted, they cut it.

Now, he is dead, only for our sake.

*****

Dragon planet was already in pieces and thank god that this guy was here. We trees didn’t want to fight with humans, but, Flak was the one who said that all trees will come underground and be underground.

“How many trees did you plant yesterday?” Flak asked. The commissioner didn’t answer.

“Answer,” Flak hollered.

“Zero,” the commissioner replied, hanging his head down.

“How many did you cut yesterday?”

“Five.”

“Okay, I will do the same thing with you. I will kill five humans daily. Is that okay for you?”

“No,” the commissioner said and took out his gun.

“Sir, your weapons don‘t do anything to me.”

“I’m not going to hurt you, I am gonna shoot the trees,” he said, pointing the gun towards me. I cannot move, I couldn’t talk. So, it was up to Flak.

“No, stop. Don’t do that,” Flak said. I bet that he was not afraid.

“Then listen to me. Pack up all your trees and come to the above world,” the commissioner said.

Then, Flak started laughing. “Then you will use them for your sake.”

*****

The man never wished anything for himself. His only wish was that our race should not get extinct. I really loved him. Though I couldn’t talk, he was my best friend. I gave him shade and he gave me water and food. I was stupefied when I knew he was killed.

*****

“What’s the matter about that? They are born for our use,” the commissioner said which angered Flak very much. What he did was really wonderful.

He gave life to every tree over there and I was able to talk.

“How could you use us?” a tree asked.

“We are already on the verge of extinction,” another tree said.

I didn’t know what to say. So, I remained quiet. Then I realised. I could move. I moved towards the commissioner, who still had the gun in his hands and whispered, “Flak has completely no mercy. Go up and start planting your trees.”

“Will you guys come up?” he whispered to me.

“We work under his orders,” I replied.

But, this time Flak heard it.

“Hey, Greens. Come here,” he said. I moved my roots in the direction he was standing.

“Yes, master,” I said.

“I think from now on, you should lead this pack,” Flak said. I was rejoiced. He never lies.

“But, why? We love you so much,” I said.

“The dragon warrior has called me. He is expecting something big to come,” Flak said.

The dragon warrior, he is another guy from dragon planet. He has a key chain which can change into anything. I thought he was forming a team. After some time, everybody grew quiet.

*****

The man was shot dead right in front of me. They were rogues. But, I was sure that they were sent by someone. And all these things are happening for him. My friend never wanted didn’t revenge.a

*****

The commissioner immediately called the media. He gave a talk to them.

“From today onwards, everyone should plant a tree every day,” the commissioner said in between the camera flashes.

“But, why, sir?” a guy asked.

“We have cut trees and they are on the verge of extinction. We are having no rainy season because we don’t have trees. Global warming is also increasing,” the commissioner said and got into his car. He waved me a goodbye and I waved too, and the press couldn’t believe what they saw. So, I acted in front of them. Then I was sucked underground again.

It was the first death anniversary of my friend and the hardworking man.

So, they chose that day for my coronation. The crown was made of twigs. It was the best honour I could get.

*****

Now, if he was present, he would have been the happiest man in the world and hugged me tightly. Oh, how I loved his company! But, this was my time to save the trees and make up for his sacrifice. Flak was the man’s friend and he offered to help.

*****

I prayed that my head wouldn’t catch fire and it didn’t. Flak gave me a slight smile and that was the first time I have seen him smile. Suddenly, he fainted and some other guys with police uniforms came.

I couldn’t bear it and wanted to fight them.

“Uh uh,” the police officer said, taunting me. He was a handsome guy. But, it didn’t matter.

They caged Flak and lifted him. They approached their car and threw the cage on the front seat. I wanted to see him smile again. We were standing helpless.

They had arrested him for completely no reason.