In today’s hustle and bustle of life, we all need a little hope, a glimmer of light in the darkness that leads us forward. May this little story offer even a piece of a dream, not only for today, but well into the future.
EVERGREEN
The little tree stood proudly, though shrouded by the taller, straighter pines. What little sun he received had caused his stunted growth but had not affected his attitude. There were times he felt larger than the rest. And he certainly believed attitude was paramount. Even when the men who braved the snow and came from distances far away to select a special tree for a wondrous occasion, he remained hopeful. But they always passed him by.
His spindly branches and underdeveloped needles prevented him from standing out in the crowd. Sometimes substantial snowfall burdened him even further as it weighed heavy on his boughs, practically burying him in the drifts where no one could see him.
It saddened him at times, but he tried to keep good faith. He became more determined. He pulled his branches higher, let the wind lift them into the air so he would appear bigger. To his dismay, it didn’t work, but he never ceased trying.
Each year, he waited in anticipation until he heard the crunch of snow beneath the feet of eager folks who visited his forest. Listening to their merriment and joy gave him a deep feeling of hope. Hope that maybe this year he would be their chosen one.
He watched as one by one the bigger, bushier conifers were selected over him. Not once did he hear them cry out when the men chopped at their trunks, for it was an honor to be picked above the multitudes. Although his dreams were diminished, he refused to despair. He knew one day it would surely be his turn.
And as the years went by, the forest was culled. The sun began to reach him, and his branches became full and green. And, as if a miracle, he grew. Then, one cold, snowy, wintery day a man and his small daughter drove in on a noisy machine the little tree had never seen before. It made tracks in the snow and packed it down. Other men accompanied him in a much larger machine.
The little girl jumped out of the vehicle and her smile broadened when she pointed to the little tree. “Daddy, I want this one,” she said, her smile widening.
Her father nodded to the men, and they set the machine in motion to begin the careful task of digging deep into the earth to get the little tree’s roots. They wrapped the roots in burlap and his branches in mesh. Then they placed him atop the other vehicle and secured him for his travel.
“He’s going to look wonderful growing in front of our house. And we’ll have him forever,” the little girl announced.
As they drove toward his new home, the little tree could hardly wait to see what was at the end of his trip. But he realized that his journey had just begun. And so, the little tree felt prouder than ever knowing he’d give them many years of his life.
Loved it!
Hi Michelle! Thanks for reading. I’ve been spending the last few months working on edits of my Blood Draw series, so I haven’t been able to spend time here on the website. Maintaining balance is so hard sometimes. Writing Group is on indefinite hiatus, with only three of us here in town now. I miss hearing your stories. If you get back this way sometime, maybe we can have a Writing Group reunion.