| TIMETREE CHAPTERS: 1 Two Indians 2 Spring 3 His Brother The Wind 4 The First Years 5 Comings And Goings 6 Another Spring 7 The Great Meeting 8 Alone Yet Not Alone 9 Remembering 10 Tomorrow Gone Home Page |
Once Upon A Time, |
THE FIRST YEARS
The young Indian returned several times over the years. He was twenty seasons old when he found the little tree on his first visit.
In 1565, the Spanish settled the new colony and they named it Florida. But now the little tree was no longer so small. That year, he awoke when the great horned owl arrived at first dawn. The great owl would in time tell the tree many new things, but he did not go to the young tree just then, instead he flew straight to the old, still, monarch tree, and went inside a hole to sleep.
That night the moon was full. It glowed with the late summer warmth of harvest orange and yellow.
"Come down wise owl!" called the young tree. "I have waited a long time for you. Where have you been?"
The owl looked down, rolled his eyes this way and that, and fluffed himself awake. Yawning, and rolling his great head from side to side as if to settle his brain, he hooted down to the young tree.
"I have barely arrived and already someone is asking questions," the owl mumbles to nothing in particular, as if ignoring the existence of the young tree. The owl rolls his head in a complete circle and rests it on his shoulder, then peers quickly down at the young tree with large hickory yellow eyes.
"Yes, my friend the wind did say you were impatient and eager. Today you are 29 seasons old, did you know that?" asked the owl gliding down.
"I have no way of knowing time," the tree answers, bending an upper limb for the owl to set upon.
"Ah, thank you. At least you have manners," fluffs the owl, settling down. "No, you don't know time at that, now do you? That is why you will live a long life."
"Is that good?" inquires the tree.
"Well, you will learn much, that is certain. I happen to be the oldest owl in the world. Older than your father even. He is old, but his spirit is good. He kept me cool all day. I slept well."
The owl walks along the limb and leans against the upper trunk. He kicks the young tree to test him and is satisfied. "I am bushed," continues the old owl. "It has taken me years to fly here. All the way from Florida I came. The Spaniards are down there already. Did you know that?"
The tree sighs and drops a little cone to the ground. "Pardon me, madam!" the owl straightens up. "I didn't realize you were a lady pine tree. I didn't kick too hard, did I?"
"No, you didn't. I just feel like an ordinary tree should, I guess. What does that mean, kick?"
"Forget it," twinkles the owl in mental pleasure. After a pause, the owl changes the subject, matter-of-factly.
"Your Indian friend is 49 seasons old now. He has fought many battles and is coming to stay with you tonight."
"How long will he be staying?" asks the tree.
"Forever," yawns the owl and settles down for another short nap.
| TIMETREE CHAPTERS: 1 Two Indians 2 Spring 3 His Brother The Wind 4 The First Years 5 Comings And Goings 6 Another Spring 7 The Great Meeting 8 Alone Yet Not Alone 9 Remembering 10 Tomorrow Gone Home Page |
Once Upon A Time, |
