An Open Air Page

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 309, 21 March 1928, Page 7

An Open Air Page

For Big Girls and Boys

THE TWISTED TREE

IX the heart of the forest there grew a twisted tree. Ail about. it the giants of its kind reared their proud heads and told their secrets to every passing wind. To the twisted tree it seemed that their leafy plumes were brushing the very floor of the sky. “What does it matter?” carolled a bird, fluttering down oiu of the sunshine. “The roof of the forest is green and warm and the spirits of the tempest have their castles in the sky. “Strength may be matched with strength,” sighed the twisted^ tree. "We are the monarchs,” said the tall trees. Ihe ioiest is our domain. Our trunks are stalwart and straight and the sap runs richly in our veins.” “Hush,” said one, “in our midst there is a twisted tree that beauty has passed lightly by. It is gnarled and unlovely. Even the wind shudders in its branches. “In the world of men there are also twisted trees,” answered another, “but fortune favours the sturdy of limb. The wind paused to tremble their upper leaves. “We are the monarchs,” they breathed in unison. “The forest is our domain. But there came a day when the green places stirred to the sound of human voices and the purposeful tramping oi feet. Strange marks appeared on the trunks of the tallest trees, then the two-footed creatures went their way. Later they returned and the forest rang with the echoes of many axe-blows. Hay alter day saw the fall of the regal ones, but a bird was building her nest in the topmost bough of the twisted tree. Then a vine caressed the tortured trunk and made it a thing of beauty. Ihe sun smiled down with a benevolent* air. New sap sprang in the veins of the twisted tree. , , “All comes to those who waif,” murmured a dawn breeze that happened to be passing. REDFEATHER.