Once upon a time, in a very large forest surrounded by blue lakes, rich soil and skies that spread out wide in all directions, stood a very large tree with a great root system. Around it stood many more trees, some big and some small but the very large tree gave them all support from above and below.

Birds lodged in it’s massive branches, squirrels leaped from one bough to the next.  Down below, a quick red fox scurried on it’s way! A sleepy turtle crawled into it’s shell to take an afternoon nap.

Forest life was predictable, yet ever changing.  Rabbits burrowed into the mossy green forest carpet, chipmunks gathered berries to fill their hungry tummies and a lazy brown bear ambled by, smacking his lips, in search of honey.   Far above them all sat a mother eagle on her nest …. protecting her young. Her eye was sharp.

It was not always a busy place. In winter it was cold and blustery, driving the bears into hibernation. Chipmunks and squirrels gathered food ahead of time so they would not have to come out when the snow was deep. Many birds flew south for warmer climates. Even the fox preferred staying in his den during this time of year when everything was cold and white. It was easy to tell who was coming and going, by the paw prints in the snow.

The great tree stood fast though, sustaining winter months as all others. Droughts came and went. Hail shattered it’s top leaves. A fire even tried to destroy the forest around it. Deep inside it’s sheltering boughs, all were safe. 

One day, grateful forest animals decided to throw a party celebrating their Friend, The Tree. Birds and chipmunks gathered berries for the feast. Squirrels provided nuts and acorns from their stash. Bears brought honey. Rabbits brought a fresh green salad and the foxes brought apples to share. Little turtle brought mushrooms and the mother eagle brought a snake but it was not a willing participant! 

As the animals gathered, they suddenly realized, there was a serious problem. Foxes not only like berries, but they have a hankering for little mice and rabbits too. Bears can do just fine on acorns, berries and leaves but they get hungry for smaller animals sometimes. The snake was not an “invited” dinner guest. He was dinner! 

Just to be safe, the birds congregated up high in the tree. The squirrels sat out on a sunny limb munching on their nuts. The turtle took his food inside, as he didn’t trust the bald eagle and little rabbits and chipmunks dined under a rock. The bears ate only what was on the menu; foxes did the same. In the spirit of celebration, little snake was turned loose and slithered on home. Bald eaglets peered over the nest at the party down below, munching on leftovers from the day before. 

  

Yes, this was a wild bunch and they were not at all tame. Their natural instincts were strong and urged them to compete. But the great and Good Old Tree brought them together in a way none other could.

Maybe we could learn a thing or two from the animals. They are predictable, but ever changing. They respect what they cannot control, have forgiveness for the inevitable and live one day at a time. Wouldn’t we all be a little better off if we did the same?

Copyright, Sharon Jones, May 31, 2017