V2. Leo and the Secret of Old Man Oak
Little Thinkers (Ages 7-10)
Before You Read 🧐
- What happens to the leaves on trees during the fall? What scientific reason can you think of for this?
- Have you ever been scared of a big change, like starting a new grade or a sport ending? How did you feel?
- What does the word “goodbye” mean to you? Can goodbyes ever be happy?
All spring and summer, Leo the Leaf lived in a bustling neighborhood on the branch of a mighty oak tree. He and his friends, Pip and Willow, spent their days soaking up sunshine, drinking in the rain, and dancing when the wind tickled their branches. They were Sky-Dancers, living a perfect life.
Then, the air grew crisp, and the sun began to set a little earlier each day. Autumn had arrived. Leo noticed something strange—his deep green color was softening into a warm, glowing yellow, with little splashes of red at his edges.
Pip and Willow saw it, too. “Leo, what’s happening?” Willow whispered, her voice trembling. “You’re not as green as you used to be.”
“Old Man Oak says this happens before we fall,” Pip added, looking down at the ground far, far below. They huddled together, sad and frightened at the thought of Leo having to leave their branch forever.
Just then, they felt a deep, gentle rumble from the branch they were on. It was Old Man Oak, the wise tree who had seen thousands of autumns. His woody voice wasn’t sad at all; it was cheerful and kind.
“Little ones, why the long faces?” he rustled. “Leo is getting ready for the most exciting part of his journey!”
[Pause and Wonder… During Your Reading] 🤔 Why do you think Old Man Oak is cheerful while the little leaves are sad? What does he know that they don’t?
“But he has to let go!” cried Pip. “He’ll be all alone on the ground!”
Old Man Oak chuckled warmly. “Oh no, that’s not the end. It’s just a change of jobs! Think of Nature as a Great Baker. In the spring, the Baker mixes up sunshine and water to bake a beautiful green leaf like you. You spend the summer being a ‘Sky-Dancer,’ gathering sunlight to feed me. But now, the Baker needs a new ingredient for the soil.”
He explained that this was all part of the Great Cycle. “Leo,” the oak continued, “when you let go, you’ll have a magnificent dance in the wind. After you land, you’ll become a ‘Root-Helper.’ You’ll break down and become part of the rich soil, sending all your goodness back into my roots through a process called decomposition. You will help me grow stronger so I can make brand new leaves next spring. You see? You’re not disappearing. You’re transforming.”
[Pause and Wonder… During Your Reading] 🤔 How is being a “Root-Helper” just as important as being a “Sky-Dancer”?
Leo looked at his beautiful golden color. He thought about the amazing dance he would have. He thought about his new purpose: helping his home, Old Man Oak, become even stronger. He wasn’t scared anymore. He felt proud and important.
A strong, gusty wind swept through the branches. It was time.
“Goodbye!” Leo shouted happily. “I’ll see you next spring when I’m part of the tree!” He let go of the branch and caught the wind.
He twirled like a helicopter, soared like a bird, and floated like a feather. It was the Great Dance, and it was more wonderful than he ever imagined. Willow and Pip watched, not with tears, but with wonder, eagerly awaiting their own turn to dance and become Root-Helpers, too.
After You Read 🤗
- Reading Comprehension: What were Leo’s two jobs in the story? (Hint: Sky-Dancer and Root-Helper). Why was Old Man Oak happy for Leo?
- Creative Thinking: If you were a leaf, what would your “Great Dance” to the ground look like?
- Draw a picture of it! Can you think of anything else in nature that goes through a cycle of change, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly? 🌱➡️🦋
