A seed is tumbling though the air, spinning and whirling in slow motion. It comes to rest, at last, on a bare patch of earth. It is sick, poisoned, sure to die.
A ray of light falls on the ground, expanding in a golden cloud, becoming more and more brilliant until it is impossible to see anything but the light.
The light begins to fade, slightly, revealing a sapling where the seed had lain, strong and slender…and growing.
The sapling becomes a mighty tree, its green leaves covering the world in its comforting shade, the light falling in dappled patches though the branches, leaving a sensation of calm joy where it touches.
The light fades, the skies cloud, a storm gathers. A low rumbling is heard, followed by a tremendous flash and crack.
The tree is split. One by one the branches fall, the leaves wither and die, carpeting the ground beneath in sad memorial. Only one branch is left…only one.