The tree and the bird [revised and unfinished]

This is just a little folk story I felt like writing... it's not done yet, and I've certainly written something similar before. But I decided to edit it a little and redo it. I'm thinking perhaps someday, this could make a nice bedtime story. Until then, it's a work in progress. It's a step different from my usual topics, but I figure it's good to switch things up a little sometimes :)

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There once was a small bird flying by on a windy winter's day when it flew down to a tree to rest. Upon landing, the tree, noticing the little bird, gathered up its branches to shield it from the wind. The tree was intrigued to see such a bird flying in this weather, and introduced itself to the bird. The bird likewise returned the introduction and started to converse...

After a while, the tree had learned of the bird's journey, of how it had dreamed of flying high up into the endless sky, up to the stratosphere and beyond. The bird had big dreams, and even on windy days like this, it was determined to give everything it has to fly through and reach its goal. The tree was inspired, and admired the young bird. It too wanted to do its best, and wanted to see the bird reach its goal.

Over time, the bird would fly out and return every once in a while, always to and fro in a flurry, but sharing its tales of working hard to fly higher and higher each day. However, one day, it didn't return as it usually did. The tree was saddened by this, as it seemed to have lost a friend to grow together with, and soon started to wither here and there.

It was a little bit before the tree decided to get out of its funk and strive towards improvement and better things. Although it wasn't much at the beginning, the tree made a choice towards a this new way of life. However, not before long, the bird reappeared onto the tree's branches, as if a ghost returned from the grave.

Soon after, it was as if nothing had happened, and the bird made its routine stops by the tree, telling it of its adventures into the open skies, and its struggles flying into higher altitudes. The tree would then, in turn, talk about life on the ground and the things going on in the world below. The tree was happy again to spend such wonderful times, but still felt a partial fear that the bird may one day fly off again and not return. It had hoped the bird would stay, that it could watch the bird fly high up in the air and fly up into its dreams.

Soon, the tree's passion and ambition grew as a result of this desire, and it too decided to dream big and strive for the unending skies. However, the tree realized that it was not a bird, so it could not do the same things like a bird. This didn't stop the tree's ambition. In fact, it only made it bigger as the tree decided to be the best tree that it could.

It expanded its roots to reach the river over the hill, and grew bigger and stronger. Its branches thickened and created a safe haven for the bird to sleep. It bore fresh, ripe fruit to provide nourishment and energy. It also grew taller, and allowed the bird to sit atop high in the air and watch the land below as if it were flying.

Everyday, as the bird broke barriers, so did the tree, and the two continued to progress forward in their respective paths. Both becoming stronger, and closing in on their goals. It was a memorable time that the tree and bird shared, and through the tough times and good times both thrived in their passions and ambitions.

These were quite happy times for the tree, but even after a little while, it was still troubled. Perhaps someday, the bird may have to move on to other places to reach even higher skies. The tree, however tall it may be, realized it could not catch up with a bird's movements. Trees could not fly, and could not roam free like birds. Another day could come, where the bird may fly, and being the best tree in the world could not suffice.

The tree, once again distraught, was unable to figure out what to do. In the end, all it had left was a simple prayer... perhaps hoping it would wake up as a bird the next morning, or that somehow, it could hold the bird's key to unending skies.

With great emotion and conviction, the tree prayed and asked for a solution...

The following morning came...