Written by Zaheen Nanji

Once upon a time in a vast area of land, stood a tall tree called Salama. One day Salama felt very sad and no one knew why it was feeling so sad. Salama's leaves had lost color and brightness, and the flowers on the tree had not blossomed that day. Its trunk was slightly slumped and it would not talk to other trees. Only one other tree could help Salama and that was its best friend and neighboring tree, Karibu.

Karibu asked Salama, "How are you today?"

"I am depressed," replied Salama.

"Depressed about what specifically?" asked Karibu

"No one will understand," sighed Salama.

"No one? How do you know no one will understand?" stated Karibu. "Salama, I have not seen you like this before," said Karibu. "It is such a beautiful day and the sun's warm rays are penetrating on our leaves and branches. I know you love that so much, so how come the sadness?" asked Karibu with concern.

"Oh Karibu, you are a good friend," said Salama. "I am tired of being stuck here in one place. I wish I could move around. Birds are so lucky. A bird flies all over and sees the world, hears different languages and experiences various smells. When birds land on me, I can hear them talk about all their experiences and I start imagining what it would be like to move around and go to different places."

"Are the birds enjoying their experiences?" asked Karibu.

"I think so," replied Salama.

"How do you know that the birds are enjoying these experiences?" Salama did not answer.

"I am curious to know what it is about the other world you want to experience?" asked Karibu.

"I want to see what is out there."

"What does out there specifically mean for you?" asked Karibu.

"The world of human beings of course!" exclaimed Salama. "I want to see it and experience it."

Karibu pondered over what Salama had just said and then with a little laughter in its voice stated,"I don't know if you have heard this Salama, but I have heard humans say how they wish they could be on our land because it is so peaceful and beautiful to them. Have you heard that?"

"As a matter of fact, Karibu, I have heard the birds mention how differently humans behave in their world compared to when they are on our land. The birds say that humans seem happier when they are on our land. I wonder why?"

"Have you heard the birds say if there are any trees where humans live?" asked Karibu.

"Yes, very few and they are smaller than us," replied Salama.

"Salama, I am curious to know what it is about being a tree that you do like?" asked Karibu.

"uhm, I like the fact that I am tall and strong," said Salama.

"Oh, how tall are you?" asked Karibu.

"I know we will reach the skies one day!" exclaimed Salama.

"What else?" prodded Karibu.

"I like the way I can let my roots go deep down into the land so I can be strong and it feels really good when other animals find comfort at my roots and on my branches,"said Salama.

"I am wondering if there are any animals, like the ones we have on our land, in the human world?" asked Karibu.

"I am not sure, but I do know that humans behave differently when they do see animals on our land. They get all excited!" laughed Salama.

"What does that mean to you?" asked Karibu.

"I guess it means that humans can only see these animals when they come on our land!" said Salama.

"Salama, you mentioned that you like being tall and one day you will reach the skies, and you are strong because your roots go deep down into the land. Would you be strong and tall if you moved around?" asked Karibu.

"Oh Karibu," cried Salama, "you are right! How am I going to keep strong and tall if I move around all the time?"

"Karibu, you helped me realize that I already have everything I want and yet I was unhappy with what I have. It took such a long time to grow from a seed to such a tall strong tree. Would I be the same without my roots? Would the land be the same without all of us if we kept moving? Would the animals and birds find comfort on my braches and roots?"

Salama pondered over its own questions and as it did, its trunk straightened up, color and brightness started to creep into the leaves, and flowers began to blossom, and Salama knew it had a purpose after all.

It is up to the reader to come up with his/her own interpretation of the story