The Last Tree on the Hill
Arif had passed that hill more times than he could count. Each morning, heading to work, he saw the same cracked earth, the same stubborn dust, and that one old tree standing alone at the top. It wasn’t much to look at—bent, brittle, stripped bare. Most folks thought it was an eyesore. Some even said it ought to come down. Arif never joined in. He kept quiet. But come evening, he always found himself climbing the hill and sitting beneath the tree for a few minutes. Didn’t really know why. It just felt right. Then came the city’s announcement: They were building a new road. The tree didn’t fit into their plans. Teams showed up with saws and noisy machines. Arif watched from afar. It weighed on him, but he stayed silent. That night, he dreamed of the tree. It spoke, gentle and worn-out. “You came to me when nobody did. Sat in my shade—even when there wasn’t much shade. Why?” Arif answered, “You remind me of myself. Old, overlooked, but still here.” The tree murmured, “Don’t let them...