Elmar- the Tree

Elma is an Oak-tree who stands in a large Park, where he had been standing for more than over a hundred years.

He has seen many things in his life-time. People wandering on the small walk ways, admiring the plants and trees which have been growing in the meadow beside the walk ways.

He enjoyed the laughter of children who sometimes were running along, playing with their toys, or playing with a ball, and throwing it to and fro to their friends.

Sometimes young lovers were walking in the stillness of the Park, where they only had eyes for each other and were birds sat on my branches and sung their songs of happiness.

Sometimes dogs came along with their minders, and on occasions they were let of their leads, so they could run freely around the park. When they become over excited they need to have a little wee, and you know what! They do it on my tree-stem. This is not very nice, because it made me a bit smelly, but when the rain came it washed it away into the ground and I was smelling fresh again.

So my life as a tree has been rich with many things. I enjoyed where I have been standing all these years and observing the goings on.

At night times an owl comes and sits on one of the branches of my crown looking out for her prey- a mouse, and when she has found it, she will swoop down from my branch and catch her food, and presumably take it to her nest.

In the day-time butterflies come an suck the nectar from my blossoms, and enjoy the sweetness.

I hear many noises in the night, from different creatures. Foxes that prowl the darkness to get their meals.

There are Rabbits, who squeal, because they are being caught and eaten by their captures.

There were the hard times, the storm which robbed me of my leaves, and in the winter-time when my branches were heavy with snow and broke.

I had a good life, till one day the forester came and checked my health; they put a big needle through my body and then they decided that it was time for me to be cut down. Why? Because I was weak and one day I would have fallen down.

So there I was cut down and on the ground, but not all was lost.

I was sold to carpenter to be revived.

My body was used to make me into a beautiful table, which has lots of  rings, which shows my age.

It was sold to a lovely family.

At times they have a dinner- parties, beautiful table-ware is put on me, and I am very proud when people say how beautiful I look

Not everything has been lost, now I can shine in my new existence, and can give pleasure for many more years to come.

Christa 5/5/08