TREE PHILOSOPHY
On a walk in a park near our house the other day…just as the sun was beginning to shine
we noticed…under the forest hammock…An orange tree growing among the pines.
“How did you get here?” We asked the orange tree.
“Because seeing an orange tree in this forest is quite rare.”
The orange tree bent over, smiled at us and said,
“How does anyone get anywhere?”
“But wouldn’t you rather be among other trees like you?” We asked.
The orange tree looked a little displeased.
“It is only you humans who give us different names.” She said.
“To us…we’re all just trees.”
“It is our hope that one day when humans look into the forest
you too will be able to see.
In spite of the differences in our appearance…every tree is just a tree.”
“We’re all rooted to the Earth and to each other.
Although we may have different uses, come in different sizes, shapes and forms
We all share the same air, sunlight and rain…
and we help each other through the storms.”
And all of a sudden…out of the blue…with a winter breeze’s prodding
the tops of every tree began to sway…as if they all were nodding!
We smiled humbly as we walked on…sending our thanks out to every tree
for turning what started out as a walk down a forest path
into a lesson in tree philosophy.
The wisdom of the trees along with the sun that morning shined…
all because we happened upon one orange tree growing among the pines.
Copyright © Jim Yerman | Year Posted 2025
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