“Two Leaves” from Bambi, A Life in the Woods

By Felix Salten
Directions: Read the short story. Answer the questions. Refer to the text to check your answers when
appropriate.
The leaves were falling from the big oak tree at the They were again silent for a while. Then the first leaf
edge of the meadow. They were falling from all the said tenderly to the other, “Dont get yourself all upset
trees. One of the branches of the oak was much higher about it, here, youre shivering, look.”
up than the others and it stretched a long way out over
“Oh dont bother about that,” the second answered,
the meadow. At its tip there sat two leaves together.
“anything makes me shiver these days. You just dont
“Things aint like they they used to be,” said one of the feel properly attached to where you are, do you.”
leaves.
“Wed better stop talking about things like that,” said
“They aint,” the other answered. “There were so many the first leaf.
of us last night who ... were just about the only ones
“Yeah, wed better leave it,” the other replied. “Only ...
left here on this branch.”
what we going to talk about now then?”
“You never know who its goin to appen to next,” said
They became silent, but after a short time resumed the
the first. “Even when it was nice and warm and the
subject. “Who dyou thinks going to be the first of us to
sunshine gave you some heat you get a storm or a
go down there, then...?”
cloudburst sometimes, and lots of us got torn off then,
even them that were still young. You never know who “It wont be for a while yet,” the first reassured him.
its goin to appen to next.” “Lets just think about how beautiful it used to be, how
wonderfully beautiful! When the sun came out and
“You dont get much sunshine these days,” the second
burned us so hot it seemed wed just swell up with all
leaf sighed, “and even when the sun does shine theres
the good health it gave us. Remember? And then there
no strength to it. Youve got to get your strength from
was the dew, early in the morning ... and the lime trees,
somewhere else.”
wonderful nights ...”
“Do you think its true,” pondered the first, “is it true
“The nights are horrible now,” whined the second.
that other leaves will come along and take our place
“They never seem to come to an end.”
once weve gone, and then another lot, and then another
lot ...?” “We cant complain,” said the first leaf gently, “weve
lived longer than so many others.”
“Course its true,” whispered the second, “only, we cant
work out how ... its above what we can understand, “Have I changed much?” the second leaf asked, shyly
that is.” but emphatically.
“Itd make you really sad, and all,” the first added. “Not a bit,” the first assured him. “What, cause Ive
gone all yellow and ugly? No, its gone a bit different
They remained silent for a while. Then the first said
for me ...”
quietly to himself, “What do you have to go away for,
anyway?” “Oh, give over,” the second contradicted.
The second asked, “What appens to us after weve “No, honest,” the first repeated emphatically. “Its true,
fallen?” what Im telling you. Youre as lovely as you as you
were on the very first day. Might be a few yellow
“We sink down ...”
stripes here and there, but not sos youd notice, but they
“And what is it, whats down there?” just make you look all the lovelier. Honest!”
The first answered, “I dont know. Some say one thing, “Oh, stop it now,” said the first, and became silent
others say something different ... nobody knows, himself. He could not talk any more because he was
really.” upset.
The second asked, “Dyou think you feel anything, Now they were both silent. The hours passed. A damp
dyou think you know anything about yourself when wind blew cold and hostile through the tree tops.
youre down there?”
“Oh ... now ...” said the second leaf, “... I ...” His voice
The first answered, “Who can say? None of them broke off. He was gently removed from his place and
whove gone down there has ever come back to tell us .” fluttered down to the earth. - Winter had come.
 Name: ____________________________________
Age:_______________

“Two Leaves” | Reading Quiz

1. Which best describes the MOOD of this story?
a. Cheerful b. Bleak c. Humorous d. Optimistic

2. Which figurative language technique is used to bring the main characters of this story to life?
a. Simile b. Onomatopoeia c. Personification d. Hyperbole

3. Which is NOT something that the leaves discuss?

a. How there used to be more leaves on the tree b. How they don't know what happens after they fall
c. How the weather used to be brighter and warmer d. How the squirrels walk on them inconsiderately

4. How have things changed for the leaves?

a. It is darker, colder, and they are more miserable. b. It is hot now and the heat makes them uncomfortable.

c. It is brighter and they are enjoying the warmth. d. The weather hasnt changed much so theyre bored.

5. Which best characterizes the two leaves?

a. They still think that they have many warm days ahead of them so they are happy.
b. They know that they will fall soon and they are sad and concerned about it.
c. They think that it will be fun to get blown off the tree and they cant wait to go for the ride.
d. They are lonely at the top of the tree and excited to join their friends on the forest floor.

6. From which perspective is this story narrated?

a. First-person b. Third-person objective c. Third-person omniscient d. Third-person limited

7. Why does the first leaf try to convince the second leaf that he hasn't changed much?
a. He is lying to try to make them both feel better.
b. He is trying to trick him from his spot.
c. He honestly can't tell that the second leaf has changed much.
d. He is trying to get him to share his acorn with him.

8. Which figurative language technique is used in the following?

"Might be a few yellow stripes here and there, but not sos youd notice, "
a. Simile b. Metaphor
c. Hyperbole d. Understatement

9. Which statement best expresses the THEME of this story?

a. All good things must come to an end. b. Keep your friends close and your enemies
closer.
c. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. d. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

10. If the story were to continue, it is reasonable to PREDICT that which would MOST LIKELY occur next?
a. The last leaf would hang on all winter and survive till the spring.
b. The last leaf would make a new leaf friend on the tree that he never noticed.
c. The last leaf would fall off also and in short time.
d. The last leaf would suddenly regain his strength and color.

Extended Response: Answer the following question in complete sentences on a separate sheet of paper.
What do the two leaves teach readers about companionship and having a friend?

Support your answer with evidence from the text and explain your argument completely.