The Tale of Two Trees

Just for a moment, try to imagine what it would be like to live as a tree growing in the forest... Having your roots firmly planted in the ground for such a long period of time would tend to give you a limited perspective on the world around you, and much of what you would experience would only be what you could see or hear in your immediate surroundings and the news of the outside world brought to you by visitors to your neck of the woods.

Growing as a tree in the forest, it is possible you will live to see the coming and going of many years and experience countless seasons filled with joys and sorrows. You experience droughts as well as floods, extreme summer heat and winter's unbearable cold, and perhaps even have to survive forest fires and tornadoes to accomplish a long life. This is the tale of two trees that had experienced just such a long life, and as they grew as neighbors, they also grew as friends... but sometimes even friends have their little disagreements and that's where our tale begins.

The Tale of Two Trees...

Living as a tree in the forest for countless years, you have a tendency to become friendly with your surroundings because this is the place where you were born, grew to maturity and wisdom, and someday will die and become part of that which you came from. The neighboring trees as well as the wildlife that visit are your only true friends because you have your roots firmly planted in the ground.

Elmer and Cletis had survived many a storm as well as seasons, and many of their days always started pretty much the same with the only real changes taking place were noted by the season. One particular spring morning, Elmer noticed a sprout was taking root between he and his long time friend Cletis, so he decided to mention this fact to his friend. After all, if this little sprout continued to grow, one day it would eventually come between them and perhaps end a long lasting friendship.

As the sprout grew bigger and stronger over the next few years into a full fledged young tree, the long time friends starting placing the blame of this young sprout's existence on one another even though there was no resemblance to either. As with all the trees in the forest, the two old friends didn't have a clue as to their linage, only that they existed and that was always enough, but ever since the arrival of this young sprout, their curiosity about the surrounding trees in the forest grew.

They tried asking the squirrels that passed through their branches on a somewhat regular basis if they knew what kind of tree was growing between them, but the squirrels rarely talked to trees. They were always too busy gathering food or playing chase with one another. Occasionally using their branches to hide from the danger of Foxes or Hawks, but never once stopping long enough to even say "Thank you" before they were on their way.

After years of silence between the two old friends, Elmer over-heard Cletis asking the woodpecker for his help in the matter... after all, the woodpecker visited all the trees in the forest and had more knowledge on the subject than any other creature living in the forest. Elmer smiled because he could see that Cletis was trying to salvage their friendship, so he joined in the conversation pleading with the woodpecker for his help.The woodpecker said,"Sure thing boys... I'll go check it out and get back to you on it."The woodpecker immediately went to work pecking away at the young tree for the remainder of the day, and as night approached, the woodpecker flew away without a word.

The days that followed were filled with the sounds of the woodpecker hard at work between the two friends trying to help them figure out what kind of tree this was that was growing between them. Shortly after daylight, the woodpecker would arrive and work continuously until sunset, only stopping ever so often to visit a nearby stream for a drink of water and it was back to work. This continued for two weeks without a word on his progress to the two old friends.

After two weeks of nonstop pecking, Elmer decided he couldn't wait any longer and needed to know the answer to the only real question he could ever remember having during the entire time of his existence, so when he heard a small break from the continuous pecking, he asked,"Well Woodpecker... Just what kind of tree is that you are pecking on there?"

As the Woodpecker looked from one old friend to the other, a slight smile seemed to appear on his face as he began to speak... "This my fine fellows is not the son of a Beech... Nor is it the son of a Birch... but I believe this is just about the finest piece of Ash I've ever had the pleasure of sticking my pecker in !!!"

The Moral of The Story...

Problems have a way of sprouting up between friendships as well as any relationship for that matter. Instead of placing the blame for problems that are bound to arise between you, try to find solutions in a timely manner to avoid years of regret. Often times, it's really no ones fault... because sometimes... things just happen...