When the first buds of sakura appeared along the riverbank, Hana felt an unspoken urgency rumbling beneath the calm of early spring. For as long as she could remember, cherry blossoms had framed the most important chapters of her life – her childhood games beneath their canopies, her grandmother’s whispered folklore, and later, the confessions of youth carved shyly into their fragile bark. Yet this year felt different, as though the blossoms themselves were hesitating before unveiling their brief splendour.
Her grandmother had always insisted that sakura bloomed not merely to herald spring, but to remind people of the bittersweet brevity of beauty. “They teach us to let go,” she would say, “and to cherish what cannot stay.” Hana used to nod politely, never fully grasping the weight of those words. But now, standing beside the aged trees, she sensed an echo of truth carried in the petals trembling in the mild breeze.
The town council had recently announced plans to replace the riverbank trees with a concrete promenade, a decision justified by safety reports and tourism prospects. Hana understood the logic, but logic alone felt insufficient. These trees had witnessed generations; their roots tangled with memory itself. To remove them seemed not just a matter of landscaping but an erasure of shared identity.
On the eve of the planned cutting, Hana returned to the riverbank. Lanterns swayed softly overhead, casting gentle halos of light upon the blossoms. Families gathered in quiet reverence, as though attending a vigil. No one spoke, yet everyone felt the same deep, almost reverent melancholy. The blossoms, in their fleeting radiance, seemed to resist the fate imposed upon them – not through defiance, but through an overwhelming reminder of their irreplaceable presence.
As Hana looked up, a single petal detached and drifted onto her sleeve. In that moment, she finally understood her grandmother’s words. The sakura did not beg to be saved; they simply urged those who cherished them to act with intention. Inspired, Hana resolved to present a petition the next morning—not out of nostalgia alone, but out of recognition that some forms of beauty carry responsibilities with them.
When dawn came, the blossoms shone pale pink in the rising light, dignified yet vulnerable. Whatever the outcome, Hana felt certain that the trees had already fulfilled their purpose: they had taught her, at last, what it meant to hold on – and to let go – with grace.
🌸 English Review Tasks
🔥 C1 English Story – The Last Blooming – Advanced Practice
A. Vocabulary Practice
1. Match the words to their meanings.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a. fleeting | 1. A strong feeling of sadness mixed with longing |
| b. reverence | 2. Lasting for a very short time |
| c. melancholy | 3. Deep respect or admiration |
| d. urgency | 4. A need to act quickly or with importance |
| e. heritage | 5. Cultural traditions or history passed down through generations |
2. Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
(fleeting / heritage / urgency / reverence / petition)
- Hana felt a quiet sense of __________ as she stood beneath the lantern-lit blossoms.
- The blossoms’ beauty was __________, lasting only a short moment.
- The town council’s decision filled Hana with a sudden __________ to act.
- The trees represented the town’s shared __________ and identity.
- Hana decided to write a __________ to oppose the removal of the sakura trees.
B. Grammar & Structure Practice
1. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
(Use past perfect, past simple, or present perfect as appropriate.)
- Hana __________ (feel) connected to the sakura trees since she was a child.
- The council __________ (announce) the plan before the townspeople reacted.
- Many residents __________ (gather) by the riverbank on the final evening.
- A single petal __________ (fall) onto Hana’s sleeve, giving her clarity.
- The trees __________ (inspire) her to take meaningful action.
2. Combine the ideas using connectors
(although, because, whereas, therefore, in spite of)
Example:
The blossoms were fragile. They made the moment feel powerful.
→ Although the blossoms were fragile, they made the moment feel powerful.
- The council wanted a modern promenade. The residents valued tradition.
- Hana returned to the riverbank. She hoped to say goodbye to the blossoms.
- The trees were old. They still bloomed with remarkable beauty.
- The community gathered silently. The cutting was scheduled for the next morning.
- Hana understood the logic of the plan. She still felt it erased part of their identity.
C. Writing Practice
✏️ Short Response (120 – 150 words)
Question:
In the story, Hana realises that the sakura trees represent beauty, memory, and responsibility.
👉 Do you think certain natural places or traditions should be protected even if modernization seems more practical? Why or why not?
Use these words and expressions to help you:
heritage, identity, fragile, meaningful, community, preserve, responsibility, emotion, value, memory
🌸 Extension (Optional Creative Task)
✨ Imagine you are one of the sakura blossoms drifting gently toward the river during the final night.
Write a short paragraph (80 – 100 words) describing:
- what you “see” among the people gathered below,
- how it feels to fall,
- and what message you would want to leave with Hana.
Use descriptive adjectives (e.g., delicate, luminous, soft, wistful, gentle, fleeting, serene).
How did you find this advanced English story? Check out the stories page for more!
Don’t forget to review grammar on our grammar page too.
