Falling Leaf

8/15/1774

Monday

Dear Diary,

Today was strange. I met a man riding a mule. He was a queer looking sorta man, all sticks and bones and hair. He even had an eye-patch!

He said to me, "Boy, what do ya want most in the world?"

And I replied, "To have more time."

"Alright," he said. "Your wish is granted. You have 1000 years. Use them well. Don't worry. You get to keep your youth. When your years are up, a leaf will fall out of the tree and float past you on the wind. It will be orange, red, and gold like a fire. You must catch it or your soul will belong to me."

Funny, wasn't it?

– Benny Radmore