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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.