2010-2011 Creative Writing First Place Essay by Elizabeth Lleonart

FIRST PLACE WINNER

The Tree of Life
By Elizabeth Lleonart

       There proudly stands the precious tree of life.  Its roots bring nutrients to its many branches and leaves, and inspires them to grow and pursue their dreams.  The tree consists of many dissimilar branches that hold many unique leaves.  The branches lead and guide the leaves toward the direction that they must go.  The leaves follow the branches and become graceful and beautiful.  The branches are of various shapes and sizes.  The leaves have many inimitable and intricate colors.  But this is frivolous, for what others adore is the commendable, magnificent tree that they form together.  Each branch and leaf is beautiful in its own way, but when they collaborate, the tree that they form brings awe to the faces of bystanders.  They look not at each individual leaf and branch, but rather the incredible picture that they form.                              

       The wind may blow strong, but still the tree stands tall and confident.  A man with an ax may furiously strike the tree, yet the tree refuses to fall.  The leaves and branches believe they are one, united, powerful team.  The leaves do not envy one another, and consider themselves beautiful only when they are united.  The leaves never vie, only encourage each other.  Each leaf is content with its appearance and position in the tree.  They each have different dreams and goals and they each leave a distinguished impression.  They each blow in a different direction, but they do not become barriers that would intercept another’s journey.  They do not berate each other, but instead, listen to the time worthy thoughts of others.  When an opportunity comes to receive more sunlight, they serve justice and allow the sunlight to reach each leaf.  They consider themselves equal, and do not think themselves with sufficient power to judge another’s talents or imperfections.  They do not hesitate to help another in need.                      

       No matter how dissimilar these leaves and branches are they still form one, beautiful tree.  This tree resembles humanity.  This tree has the ability to love, desire, persist, persevere, and most importantly, respect.  These are all characteristics of the human being.  The tree’s roots represent our ancestors and forefathers that have brought us to our standards of life today and established our world.  They would have never reached their goals if they hadn’t shown each other respect and paid time to the words of others.  The branches resemble the leaders of our world.  The leaders of the world guide us to the laws that we must follow.  Without respect and tolerance of others’ opinions, how would they have established the laws and regulations that protect and govern our society?  And lastly, the leaves symbolize all of the diverse but unique people of our world.  The leaves resemble all of the people that have made a change in our world, whether dramatic or minute.  If each of us shows respect to one another, no matter how different we may be, we can still form one beautiful, powerful, strong, confident, persistent, brave, enduring, and loving tree.

Elizabeth Lleonart,
St. Timothy Parish School