Oak Leaves

We have had some strong winds recently and that has taken its toll on the fall colors. The leaves are going quickly.

The beauty of fall makes it the favorite season for some people. It may also be the season that evokes the most reflection on life and living. After all, it is the season of senescence that follows the vibrancy of summer and precedes the cold, stark landscape of winter.

A long time ago I happened to listen to a Sunday evening radio program from Detroit called “Night Flight.” All the songs, as well as some readings, were about autumn. One particular item that has stuck with me was a reading of chapter eight from the first edition of Bambi.

It’s an eloquent and provocative conversation between two oak leaves during a windy autumn evening. I don’t think it has anything to with Bambi, per se, but it has everything to do with mortality. They talk of the uncertainty ahead, and the better days they know are now behind them.

I have been told the chapter was removed in subsequent editions. I have checked some other editions of the book, and sure enough, the chapter is not included. Years ago, I made a photocopy of the chapter, and it seems that I have to read it at least once a year. Oak leaves haven’t quite been the same since reading that piece.

It’s difficult to find a first edition of Bambi. For those of you who have a computer and are interested in reading the chapter, we have made the text available on Prairie Public Radio’s website (below) along with the text of this segment of Natural North Dakota.

Fall is not over yet, however. Some leaves are still holding on, geese are honking overhead, and the musty smell of fall is strong. These and many other sights, sounds, and smells are there for the taking. So grab all you can!” It goes all too quickly.

CHAPTER VIII
THE LEAVES WERE FALLING from the great oak at the meadow’s edge. One branch of the oak reached high above the others and stretched far “It isn’t the way it used to be,” said one leaf to the “No,” the other leaf answered. “So many of us have fallen “You never know who’s going to go next,” said the first “The sun seldom shines now,” sighed the second leaf, “and “Can it be true,” said the first leaf, “can it really be “It is really true,” whispered the second leaf. “We can’t “It makes me very sad,” added the first leaf.
They were silent a while. Then the first leaf said quietly to herself, The second leaf asked, “What happens to us when we have “We sink down…”
“What is under us?”
The first leaf answered, “I don’t know, some say one thing, The second leaf asked, “Do we feel anything, do we know anything The first leaf answered, “Who knows? Not one of all those down there They were silent again. The first leaf said tenderly to “That’s nothing,” the second leaf answered, “I tremble “Let’s not talk any more about such things,” said the first The other replied, “No, we’ll let be. But what else shall we “There’s still plenty of time to worry about that,” the “Now the nights are dreadful,” the second leaf complained, “and “We shouldn’t complain,” said the first leaf gently. “We’ve “Have I changed much?” asked the second leaf shyly “Not in the least,” the first leaf assured her.
“You only think so because I’ve got to be so yellow and ugly. “You’re fooling me,” the second leaf said.
“No, really,” the first leaf exclaimed eagerly, “believe “Thanks,” whispered the second leaf, quite touched. “I “Hush,” said the other leaf, and kept silent herself for she Then they were both silent. Hours passed.
A moist wind blew, cold and hostile, through the tree-tops.
From Bambi by Felix Salten, 1929 (First Edition), Simon and Schuster, They were falling from all the trees.
out over the meadow. Two leaves clung to its very tip.
other.
off tonight we’re almost the only ones left on our branch.”
leaf. “Even when it was warm and the sun shone, a storm or a cloudburst would come sometimes, and many leaves were torn off, though they were still young. You never know who’s going to go next.”
when it does it gives no warmth. We must have warmth again.”
true, that others come to take our places when we’re gone and after them still others, and more and more?”
even begin to imagine it, it’s beyond our powers.”
“Why must we fall?…”
fallen?”
some another, but nobody knows.”
about ourselves when we’re down there?”
has ever come back to tell us about it.”
the other, “Don’t worry so much about it, you’re trembling.”
at the least thing now. I don’t feel so sure of my hold as I used to.”
leaf.
talk about?” She was silent, but went on after a little while, “Which of us will go first?”
other leaf assured her. “Let’s remember how beautiful it was, how wonderful, when the sun came out and shone so warmly that we though we’d burst with life. Do you remember? And the morning dew, and the mild and splendid nights….”
there is no end to them.”
outlived many, many others.”
but determinedly.
But it’s different in your case.”
me, you’re as lovely as the day you were born. Here and there may be a little yellow spot but it’s hardly noticeable and only makes you handsomer, believe me.”
don’t believe you, not altogether, but I thank you because you’re so kind, you’ve always been so kind to me. I’m just beginning to understand how kind you are.”
was too troubled to talk any more.
/> voice broke off. She was torn from her place and spun down.
Inc.

Chuck Lura

Natural North Dakota is supported by NDSU Central Grasslands Research Extension Center and Minot State University-Bottineau, and by the members of Prairie Public. Thanks to Sunny 101.9 in Bottineau for their recording services.