I am a leaf. I started out as a bud. But even then, I found how cold the world is. I opened myself up and saw the sky. I fell in love. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the sky to notice me. So I changed my color. Maybe the sky just didn't want a green leaf. I became red with the hope of pleasing it. But the sky still showed no interest. I became jealous of the clouds. They were so close to the sky. They were always together. So I jumped from the only home that I had ever known and gave up everything to be close to my love. But instead of flying to a new beautiful life, I was rejected. I fell to a world I had not bothered to notice before. And I was alone. I did not know what to do with myself and my emotions. While I lay there dwelling in my sorrow, I was attacked. I was pushed and rolled around. Before I could really comprehend what was going on, I was surrounded by others like myself. They had all given up something important to them and got nothing in return. I was no longer alone. And although I would never be with the one I loved, I could still go on with life. I could find a new kind of happiness.