This story is about a palm tree. If you don't like that you can stop reading. We begin our story on an unexplored island. On that island there stood a tree. Of all the trees on the island this one was the strangest. It was a young tree only about twenty years old. It stood aloof, on top of a hill, overlooking the ocean. It had no enmity with the other trees, nor did he long for their company. He made no move to acquaint himself with the plants and animals that lived around him.
He just stood solitary, watching the day go by. In all these ways he was a recluse. One day a treacherous wind blew in from the north. The forest was a wreck, but the one palm tree still stood for his roots grew deep into the hill.
When the storm ended a small and exhausted bird landed on his biggest branch. Luckily for them, or the bird at least, they could understand each other. The bird spoke with more gusto than any other creature that the tree had met. The bird said, “ Hiya! How is it going? I was flying and Whoop! The wind blew me here. I hope you don't mind me staying for a few days.” As the bird talked, he twirled and flipped in the air. The tree smiled on the inside, but his rough exterior remained unchanged. He remained silent though. The bird took this silence as a yes and returned to the branch. Their, he slept until morning.
At dawn the bird woke did some fancy twirls and flew away. When he was gone the tree thought to himself, “ Well, his an amiable little fellow. I'll try talking with him when he returns.” At sunset the bird swooped on to a branch. They watched the sunset together. The bird spoke as it grew dark. “This place is beautiful. It's a shame you can't see it all.” The tree tried to respond with, “ I know. It's quite a shame.” But all that came out of his mouth was a low rumbling sound. The bird asked, “ What is wrong?” Try as he might the tree couldn't respond. “Well” ,said the bird, “ I'll try to help you to my fullest extent. I'll start tomorrow because today, I'm pooped.”
“Well,” began the bird, “In most ways you are ideal. The only problem with your mouth is the fact that it is covered in moss. I'll be back with some friends later to help you out.” The tree waited. And waited. About noon, the tree felt as if his trust was betrayed. Suddenly the bird appeared and landed on his shoulder. The tree was astounded. The bird had brought small mammals, lizards, birds and insects. The bird signaled them to begin their work. The birds, mammals and lizards took moss for their nests. The insects had lunch. Finally, at sunset their work was done. The tree could speak!
The animals left, leaving the tree and the first bird. The tree thanked the bird. Until dawn, the two spoke, shared jokes and stories. At noon they had said all they needed to say except for goodby. The bird said sadly, “ I must leave now.” But the tree spoke up. He said, “Why don't you stay? You and I could grow old. My grand children and yours could share their lives with each other!” Without hesitation, the bird said, “Yes!Yes!” For years the bird and the tree lived together. They both had children. And even today you can find the trees children and the birds children living on that hill, that is overlooking the ocean.
The End
