Sound

A Story by Gaige

He took to his endeavor with heart. Every swing of his mighty ax brought with it a shower of splinters, and a margin of distance towards his goal. Regret weighed heavy upon his heart and was worn on his brow. A result of the contradictory feelings his task evoked within him. This tree was beautiful, perhaps the most beautiful thing he's ever known. They had been friends since he was the boy-age of seven, and now thirteen years later he would end this friendship at the end of his woodman's ax. a final shower of splinters and timber rained on him . The ancient pine creaked and reeled. The man cried "Timber!" with both strength and remorse in his voice, though he knew no one would be near enough to hear his sorrowful triumph. The tree fell and met the thankless ground. An ancient friend had been hewn by his hand. He stood with lungs laboring to relieve exhausted, powerful muscles. Alone in this forest he was left to wonder: does a tree make a sound if it falls and no one is around to hear it?