The Island of Missing Trees

by Elif Shafak

Some day the water will rust away the metal and the chains will snap, and the concrete’s rigid heart will soften as even the most rigid hearts tend to do with the passing of the years.

‘Without understanding our past, how can we hope to shape our future?’

Both eternally grateful for the chances life has given them and scarred by what it has snatched away,

They confide in us, describing their dreams and aspirations, including those they have left behind,

People assume it’s a matter of personality, the difference between optimists and pessimists. But I believe it all comes down to an inability to forget. The greater your powers of retention, the slimmer your chances at optimism.

‘Some of your roots will break, but don’t worry,’ Kostas said. ‘The ones remaining will be more than enough to keep you alive.’