P2
In the city, there was a temple.
In front of the temple stood an old banyan tree.

P3
The banyan tree’s branches are spread like a giant umbrella—wide and generous.

P5
One day, a little squirrel arrived.
“Hey, little one.”
“Who’s there?” Little Squirrel asked, looking around.
“It’s me,” the old banyan tree said with a smile.
The squirrel let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, it’s Grandpa Banyan Tree.”

P7
“You look a little different from those plain gray squirrels.”
“I was born this way,” said Little Squirrel.
“Is it hard being different from everyone else?” asked Grandpa Banyan Tree.
“I’m learning to be brave.”

P8
Golden, feather-like leaves drifted down from the banyan tree.
“Grandpa Banyan Tree, are you okay?”
“I’m getting old. A few aches and troubles are only natural,” Grandpa Banyan Tree replied.

P11
“Grandpa Banyan Tree, tell me a story,” Little Squirrel said sweetly.

P13
The banyan tree thought for a moment and said,
“Once, many birds rested here—shimmering blue magpies, chirping sparrows and bulbuls.”

P14
“There was also a large parrot dressed in rainbow feathers. He grew up inside a cage. One day, while his owner was distracted cleaning the cage, the parrot escaped.”
“Escaped? Why would he run away?” asked Little Squirrel.
“He wanted to see the world outside.”

P16
“What happened next?”
“He flew very high and very far. At first, the world felt wide and free. But when he grew tired and began to miss home, he could no longer find his way back,” said Grandpa Banyan Tree.

P19
“Some yearnings cannot simply be forgotten.”

P20
“Grandpa Banyan Tree, have you ever missed someone?” Little Squirrel asked.

P22
“Little Black,” said Grandpa Banyan Tree.
“Little Black?”
“A dog who was abandoned,” Grandpa Banyan Tree replied. “He was left here when he was very young, until an old man took him in.”

P24
“But life always has its limits. After the old man was taken away by an ambulance, Little Black lost the one person he depended on.”

P26
“I remember it was a rainy day. Little Black returned to the place where he had once been abandoned and began a long wait.”

P29
“Until one night, he never woke up again.”
The old banyan tree said,
“In this world, nothing stays the same forever. No matter how deep the attachment, there will always be a time to say goodbye.”
“I don’t like goodbyes,” said Little Squirrel.

P30
That night, the little squirrel dreamed of chestnuts falling like rain.

P35
“Little one, it’s time for us to say goodbye,” said Grandpa Banyan Tree.
“Grandpa Banyan Tree, where are you going?” asked Little Squirrel.
“I am simply dying,” Grandpa Banyan Tree said. “Every life comes to an end.”
“So I will never see you again?” asked Little Squirrel.
“Life will end, but memories will remain.”

P37
“Take good care of yourself, little one.”

P38
“Goodbye, Grandpa Banyan Tree.”

P42
After winter passed, the little squirrel returned to the front of the temple.
“Hey, Little Green Sprout,” said Little Squirrel.
“Hello!” the sprout replied brightly. “Tell me a story!”
The squirrel thought for a moment and said,
“Once, there was a tree…”