'The Last Word' – a short story by Marente de Moor

On All Souls' Day, Marente de Moor's short story explores the relationship between an ancient language and a 2000-year-old olive tree. The language, having witnessed human emotions and struggles, finds itself trapped within the tree, reflecting on its past and the fleeting nature of words. As people visit the tree, the language longs for connection but feels neglected. The story culminates in a night of remembrance, where the language anticipates the release of words from the dead, revealing their true value. Ultimately, it suggests that the dead are careful with their words, waiting for the living to give them voice.