The Wise Old Tree by EJ Patterson (snow like ashes txt) 📖

so there I was....just staring at that same tree for the past four hours now. just staring...staring.
It facinates me. how long has that same tree just stood there? how many people had just stared
at that tree, like me? how many people had sat under its cool shade, basking in its over hanging
branches? how many have fallen in love right on this very spot, have carved their ever lasting
initals into the thick trunk? how many birds have tittered umongst this tree's curved eaves?
families of different woodland creature have raised children-learned how to fly, bulit their nests,
scurried down the rough bark?
So I just stood, staring. It was facinating. The mighty tree was like a person. It was once a tiny
sapling, supported by blankets and dirt, like a child being supported by its parents. then it
grew, and made many woodland friends without its parent's aid. and the years pasted, and still
it grew. Growing taller and taller, providing warmth and comfort to the other fellow creatures
who inhabited it's leaves and branches-like a parent.
then it grew old, wrinkles setting in, its age showing. many creatures going to it for wise
instructions.
its old face was searched for by many, it gave wonderous advice and cared for all the
creatures. only few were the lucky ones who called the tree a close, personal friend.
it wasn't vain, or greedy, or mean...just mighty. just wise. just admired.
like what i was doing now. i was admiring its honest beauty, its wise nature.
it was at that moment when i was overcome with such emotion i sank to my knees in disbelief.
what was i doing? this tree had seen so much. so much love, kindness, and respect. so much
happiness. so much history.
the relization washed over me like a salty sea wave. what i was about to do was a crime.
not to the government, but to nature-to humanity.
I heard a rumbling coming from behind me. with a bolt of shock, i spun around, my hands
out in front of me, and yelled, "Stop!"
They couldn't hear me.
"Stop-please! Stop! Don't do this! Please!"
I waved my arms frantically around like a crazy person, and finally got the attention of the
bearded driver up front. He looked confused, but then ended up nodding with a sharp nod and
stopping-the drivers behind him following his lead. The bearded driver up front lumbered out of his truck. He looked mutinous.
"What's the big idea, Newman?" He shouted, his booming voice bouncing off the trees surrounding them. "We have a deadline! This has to happen now!"
"I-I'm sorry," Newman said, "But we are not continuing with the demolition."
The driver's face turned a deeper shade of puce.
"What! I have an obligation-a family to feed!"
"I'm sorry," Newman repeated. "But I just-er-got a call from...from the National Arbor Society of America, and they said that this tree is staying," He lied.
"But-"
"You heard me, Smith!"
The driver seemed to struggle with himself for a moment before nodding another curt nod and getting back into his truck. He motioned to the other drivers, who also nodded, and they turned and slowly made their way away from the ancient tree. As the dust cleared, Newman saw the wizened tree up close. He touched its rough, gnarled bark with trembling hands. He knew he had done the right thing. And now the Wise Old Tree could live the remainder of its life in peace.

Publication Date: 04-16-2011

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