“Just a weed seed?” said the tree, in a Grandpa-like voice,
a little gruffly but oh so kindly,
“Oh no, NOT to me,” he continued, as he bent with great creaking and groaning.
And the small boy showed no surprise.
Of course trees talk, even old, gnarly ones, he thought, and
although his face still showed some bewilderment.
when you’re small,
so very, very young,
eyes filled with wonder
and belief in SO much more than
heaven and earth can reveal ꟷ
then,
and only then,
can you see the kindly, ancient face,
with wildly spread ‘hair’ branches rising high and wide above,
laden with chattering squirrels, twittering birds;
never burdened by fluffy bunnies and a friendly fox
far below…
saved especially for small children ꟷ
and woods elves and fairies,
of course!
“Around my toes I suppose,” mutters the tree,
through a smile;
through one great side branch,
curled like a warm, welcoming arm. curling forward in warmest welcome,
offering one full-blown milkweed thistle.
Make a wish as you blow it, my boy,”
says the tree and his eyes twinkle,
star-like.
And each floaty seed will take your wish
on high,
on their way to Santa at the North Pole,
and empowers them...
how on earth do you suppose he achieves ‘lift-off’ for that mountain of presents??
Now his smile broadens…
alarmingly to those who don’t know him;
looking like a great precarious crack,
or split in his trunk, across his mighty breadth.
But it’s love, you see,
always granting more throughout the year
for you and for me.
And the small boy waited
for the exact right breeze,
and wished and blew,
waving and saying,
“Bye. bye sweet Grandpa fairy tree”
The tree swayed gently
from side to side.
“Be always kind and be always free.”
And the tree smiled,
benignly and comfortingly.
And the small boy
skipped
as he went on his way,
happy with his wish
for yet another Earth Day.
Bio:
Christine is a writer, farmer, wife, mother, grandmother, and rescuer extraordinaire of a number of animal species including three children. Currently, Christine is battling cancer and a recent possible stroke, diminishing some more of her abilities… but never making her indomitable spirit falter. She anticipates a riotous reunion of flash-dance proportions at the Rainbow Bridge sometimee well into the future.