Nuts and Wood
A short story with roots
by Nigel A James.
Trees are wonders of nature. There is something about them that everyone loves, and I have a tree in my life.
It is a nut tree, and it
arrived one year in July. It was still very small, and, as I planted
it in my garden I thought of its chances of living. The summer was
hot and still getting hotter, and all around plants, weeds and
grasses were wilting and dying. Logically or illogically, I knew
that my tree couldn't last long. The Hungarian sun was simply too
strong.
But, not everything dies,
and there must be a way. And, so it was that I started to water it
daily. Once in the morning and once in the evening. And then,
against all I believed, the little tree began to get bigger and
bigger. Together, I believed, we were winning! But, as summer became
autumn the little tree was still very small. Too small, I was sure,
to survive a hard winter. Would it be there in the spring?
And, April arrived and
back I went to my garden. And, the first thing I did was to look for
my tree. But, something had happened. It had become smaller, it had
been eaten by pigs, and all that was left was a stem. I was sure it
was dead!
But, I was wrong! It was
three or four days later when a small shoot appeared. Then came
another and another, and soon there were seven or eight. My nut tree
was strong, it had little leaves, and its chances were good!
And, the next winter it
was eaten again; and, again it survived. And, that was eight years
ago. And, my little nut tree isn't little any more. It is two
metres high and impressive. But, it still has a long way to go. Nut
trees can grow very high, and can live for sixty-five years.
Trees have a strength, its
their character, they are stronger than us. That's why we love them
and need them!
another – noch ein
appear –
(appear/appeared/appeared) – erscheine
believe –
(believe/believed/believed) – glauben
daily – täglich
impressive
– beeindruckend
leaves pl. von leaf -
Blatt/Blätter
once - einmal
plant –
(plant/planted/planted) - ein setzen /
pflanzen
shoot – Trieb
simply – einfach
soon – bald
stem – Stiel
sure – sicher
survive –
(survive/survived/survived) - überleben
water
(water/watered/watered) – gießen (to
water the plants)
weeds – Unkraut
wilting –
(wilt/wilted/wilted) – verwelken
Points for discussion
The strength we get from
trees.
The character of trees.
Why we need trees.
Living together with trees
(in our streets, etc.).
Why forests are important!
The protection trees give
us!
Trees as a crop.
Trees and beliefs.
Trees for building.
Trees as friends!
