The Little Dwarf Tree
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For a picture of the Little Dwarf Tree (44Kb) click here....
In a shady forest, amidst a grove of Proud Oaks, there grew a gnarly little tree that was uncommonly homely. The Proud Oaks named him The Little Dwarf Tree, & when he strrrretched his limbs towards the sky, they laughed at his futile efforts to experience the light of The Sun.
"Poor Little Dwarf Tree!", they'd say, in mocking tones."What a pity you're so twisted & small!" Hearing this, The Little Dwarf Tree would lower his gaze towards the forest floor.
Down there, he found kindness. The birds loved him!...the rabbits, toads, beetles, even the worms! They all loved him!
"Hey everyone! Today's my Birthday!" said the Little Dwarf Tree!
"Happy Birthday!
How old are you?"asked the forest creatures. The Little Dwarf Tree winced.
"Older than I look." he said, softly, as he drooped his twisted little
limbs.
One day, because they loved him, the creatures decided to help the Little Dwarf Tree. In private, they discussed his sadness."He needs someone of his own kind."said a bird.
"I have an idea!" said a worm."For his next Birthday, we'll surprise him with a gift that'll give him just what he needs!"
So they planted a tree-seedling behind the tall grasses that grew next to The Little Dwarf Tree. It sprouted, &� they nurtured it, lovingly!
In a year's time, it had became a little sapling, but it was still small
enough to be hidden by the tall grass!
Finally, the day arrived.
"Happy Birthday"they shouted, as they parted the grass with wings & paws....And there she was!� Little Dwarf Tree gasped! "Hello!"said The Little Lady Tree! The Little Dwarf Tree shook with excitement!
"Hello!" he answered.
Little Lady Tree grew up quickly, and as she did, she was able
to reach out and touch the Little Dwarf Tree! He reached out and touched her too!
They leaned closer and closer towards each other.
Their limbs became so entwined, they seemed to be growing
together. Could it be? Yes! The Little Dwarf Tree felt so happy, he began to change! It was a miracle! He hadn't grown for years, but as The Little Lady Tree slowly embraced him, he grew!....And grew!
Finally, one breezy day, just when the leaves of the Proud Oaks started to fall, he & Little Lady Tree both strrrretched towards the sky!
This time, no one laughed! "Ahhh!"said the Little Dwarf Tree."Look! The Sun! I can see The Sun!� I'll never be happier than I am at this moment!"(...or so he thought!)
As another year ended, the life of the Little Dwarf Tree was about to change again!
There came the sound of footsteps in the forest! New animals were walking amongst the Proud Oaks! ...Strange animals! The largest one said, "Just look at this fine lumber!"
A smaller one said "Let's build it right here! When will you begin the cutting?"
Suddenly a very small animal said, "No! You can't!" ....and ran over to the Little Dwarf Tree! "You can't use THIS tree! I want to tie my swing up there!" he said, pointing toward a limb."See? It's just the right size!"�
The biggest animal said, "OK my child! Why not?!"
Then the mid-sized animal, exclaimed "Oh! How beautiful! It's not just ONE tree! There are TWO trees!..And they're wrapped around each other! It's as if they're hugging one another!
Come on! Let's join them and give them a hug.
So the three new animals joined hands around The Little Dwarf Tree
and The Little Lady Tree, and the squeeeezed.
"Oh MY!" said The Little Dwarf Tree! "It tickles, but I LIKE it!"
Little Lady Tree just giggled & said,"It DOES tickle!"
The other forest creatures peeked out, fearfully, from their hiding places, but the Little Dwarf Tree was not afraid. He said to himself,"I think this is a good thing!"
And...eventually....it turned out that he was right!
During the next few months,The Little Dwarf Tree saw some things that were pretty scary!
The very next day, he heard a buzzzzing noise, &, one by one, the Proud Oaks fell to the ground. Although their cruelty & pride were still fresh in his mind, the Little Dwarf Tree was saddened by this.
Then he began to see that the Proud Oaks were not leaving! Not at all! They were being transformed!
They were to become a Human Home!
When it was finished, Little Lady Tree, with a twinkle in her leaves said,"How ironic! Now YOU'RE looking down on THEM!"
"The Little Dwarf tree replied,"But I feel PROUD of them!
Actually, HE was about to discover a new meaning for the word Pride.The Humans had a job for him! He held out a limb as ropes were tied securely onto it.
It was the swing!
The Human child clambered up, & the Little Dwarf Tree said,
"I� hope I 'm strong enough!"
The Little Lady Tree answered, "You ARE strong enough! You can DO it! I know you can!"
Then the Human father gave a push & wheee.. high into the air the swing flew!
The Human child squealed & the Little Dwarf Tree creaked with laughter!
Little Lady Tree's hug tightened around him, as she whispered to The Little Dwarf Tree...."I'm so proud of you!"
And to this day, the two of them are living happily together, as part of their Human Family!