Leaf, branch, leaf, is it? No. Are we there yet? No. You sure its this way? Yes. I think we’re lost. Lost? No. It’s up here. Over there. Down here. Hang on it’s the edge. Oops. Backup!

This is what I hear in my Oak tree on a daily basis. These are the Synks, a species of sprites who inhabit the tree and spend most of their day in search of an elusive goal.

It’s just around here? You sure? Positive! Lets see. No. Must have moved. You sure it was here?

Last week I saw it here. It’s just around here. You sure? Positive. Lets see. No. Must have moved.

They live in a herd; they roam the branches of the tree in massive groups, going from branch to branch up and down.

On the whole they are a happy people. Not very bright, they have a limited attention span and they make goldfish look Einsteinish.

Every so often one will fall off. When this happens they stand along the edge of the branch where it happened and peer down.

After a minute or two you’ll hear: OOOOOHHHHHHHHH, what? He fell. Who? What? Henry? Who? That was Henry? Who’s Henry? I thought you were Henry!

Its incidental that they are all called Henry. Its something the Synks have worked out to save time and confusion if they are called the same thing.

Their role in any tree they live in is to keep the tree in pristine condition. They do that by ridding it of any parasite that invades and any fungus that tries to take hold of it. Fungus they love, it is like a delicacy. I’ve heard them many a time squabbling over a growth they have discovered. They have superstitious notions about fungus believing it helps the males reach a form of sexual maturity. Though that is debatable.

Most of the time I imagine they have trouble remembering which gender they actually do belong to. But they must get it right more times than not as there are a lot of them.

So life in my tree goes on in its continuously confused and befuddling way.

I look at them and think they know no other life, this is where they are and they exist oblivious to the world beyond the branches they inhabit.

They have a beautiful innocence, are loving to each other even when tempers rise when the pursuit of their goal never seems to get any closer.

I can often hear them say as each day draws to an end: ‘Now don’t be worrying about it, there’s always tomorrow.’ Among the assembled throng there is joyful acceptance and a sense that tomorrow will be bring renewed hope and the prospect of discovery. But I somehow doubt it.

After all where would I be without this entertainment in my life?

Henry we are all following you. Good. Onwards team. Team? What’s a team? Henry? Didn’t he fall? No that was the other Henry. Oh….Go Henry go…..yahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhay!!!!

Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/12/19/fairytale-prompt-39/