THE TWO OAK TREES

We have known each other since we were saplings. 
Insignificent little things, gradually growing up 
side by side and branching out. In our ripe old age 
our branches are touching, holding hands.

Our leafs are swaying in the warm summer breeze, 
whispering to each other many tales we have overheard 
throughout the years.

Many people have sat in our shade to have a rest 
after a long walk in the countryside. It is a 
favoured picnic place for young and old; and it 
is pleasing to hear children's voices when playing 
round us.

                           ###


Often young lovers come in the evenings to sit 
down beneath us, looking through the branches at 
the moon and the silvery reflection on our leafs.  
They whisper their devotion to each other, kissing 
and cuddling.

After a hard day's work people will meet here 
and talk about the events of the day. Sad or happy 
occasions are discussed. The leafs will rustle to 
give them assurance when life seems so sad. We are 
strong and a bond is created between us and the 
people in despair. The solitude in this idyllic 
setting heals the soul.

But there is happiness with many people who come 
and stay with us for a while.

                            ###

Farmers are happy to have had a good crop and 
their animals are healthy again. The hard times 
with the cattle illness is over. It was a very sad 
time when the bottom fell out of the farms. The 
farmers worked so hard all their lives and could not 
comprehend the misfortune which had befallen them.

We are getting on in years and from a much 
earlier time, in war time, women and girls were 
waiting for their husbands and sweethearts to 
return to them.

Many a moving and encouraging letter had been read 
over and over again, sitting underneath us, letting 
the reflection from the sun display patterns of the 
leafs on the pages.

Often a tear was shed, but the joy was great when 
a missing loved one had been found.

                              ###

From larger towns children came to stay in villages 
to be away from danger. Some had not seen the 
countryside before, not even a tree. They danced and 
played around us and climbed up to see even more.

Not only people are our visitors.  Birds, moths, 
butterflies and even ants come. Some birds have built 
their nests to rear their young in our branches. 
The chirping never stops.

At one time we heard people talk about some 
beautiful trees, which had to be chopped down to make 
way for developments. This makes us very sad and we 
feel frightened as it easily could happen to us.

The Eco-Warriors, who are really very brave and 
hearty people cannot prevent what is happening, 
but at least their voices are heard.

                              ###   

When the summer comes to an end most of the birds 
emigrate. It is a more serene time. In the autumn our 
leafs fall to the ground. It seems harsh, but they feed 
the earth to give us new strength for the coming year.

Some birds still come to sit on our leafless 
branches looking for same morsels.

Occasionally little rabbits are hobbling to us to 
look for treasures they had buried in the summer for 
when needed in the harsh winter months.

The winters are not always the same. In some years 
it snows and we are covered in a white coat and when 
the sunshine comes through, it gives a picturesque 
appearance.

We are proud never to lose our strength all year 
round.

                                ###

Every spring new life begins. Daffodils and daisies 
are blooming in the field nearby, and gradually buds 
appear on our branches to give birth to tiny leafs. 
They enfold quickly into a shiny greenery, serving 
many creatures as a canopy.

Birds, the same from the year before, return from 
their long flight finding plenty of food all around.

Happy children are playing again in our shade and 
weary wanderers are returning to have a rest and 
admire us once again.

We are happy, our leafs rustle again in the warm 
breeze and the sunshine throws again patterns on the 
ground through the branches.