This is like a grown up version of "The Giving Tree"! Thanks for sharing the story. It's hard to write from the perspective of inanimate objects, but you did a fantastic job. Although trees are kind of in the middle 😁
Thanks, Brian! Oh, it’s been so long since I read the Giving Tree!! Now that you mention it, I should have thought to revisit the story as preparation for this writing prompt. Thanks for reading.
Right?!? We could learn a lot—hold to dig deep, hold each other with strength, move with the outside forces so we don’t break—but also, we sometimes need someone older and wiser than us to see what we cannot yet perceive. Thanks for reading!
This is a gorgeous story, thank you for sharing the life journey of one wise and beautiful tree, which is our journey too. I adored the ending too, very poetic — ‘You are strong enough already, gentle-listener. You are enough.’
Thank you, Kate. She is gonna need those words of encouragement in the months to coming (as 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙, book one of the Forged series, opens). Don’t we all need a little encouragement too?
Awesome, CB. I pat trees a lot, sometimes say hey. The mycorrhizal network and how trees pass water and nutrients along is amazing. Thanks for writing, good work!
Thanks, Joseph! One of the things I enjoyed about this writing prompt was “do thing deeper” — I had never known the extent and purpose of the mycorrhizal network, though I have noticed it before when digging in the dirt. Our world is so fascinating!
Incredible. Loved this conversation with the tree and the connection with the many disasters inflicted on our planet. A hopeful story of strength, pain, and survival. Truly enjoyed it. Thank you for writing it.
"If you could have a conversation with one natural landmark near you (a tree, rock formation, river), which would you choose and what would you ask it first?" I'd probably sit with the twisted oak in my backyard that survived last January's Santa Ana Winds - I think it would have stories to tell about dancing with the wind. Happy Tuesday :)
What is it about trees that make conversations with them so easy? So satisfying? Your backyard twisted oak must have some amazing stories! Do you ever go sit with it?
This is like a grown up version of "The Giving Tree"! Thanks for sharing the story. It's hard to write from the perspective of inanimate objects, but you did a fantastic job. Although trees are kind of in the middle 😁
Thanks, Brian! Oh, it’s been so long since I read the Giving Tree!! Now that you mention it, I should have thought to revisit the story as preparation for this writing prompt. Thanks for reading.
We could learn so much if we listened to the trees like your character does. Beautiful story.
Thank you, Claudia. I wish forest bathing was a required class in school. We’d be a happier society.
“You are strong enough already” is just what I’d want to hear from a tree elder.
Right?!? We could learn a lot—hold to dig deep, hold each other with strength, move with the outside forces so we don’t break—but also, we sometimes need someone older and wiser than us to see what we cannot yet perceive. Thanks for reading!
This is a gorgeous story, thank you for sharing the life journey of one wise and beautiful tree, which is our journey too. I adored the ending too, very poetic — ‘You are strong enough already, gentle-listener. You are enough.’
You can do this, ‘you already enough’ ⭐️
Thank you, Kate. She is gonna need those words of encouragement in the months to coming (as 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙, book one of the Forged series, opens). Don’t we all need a little encouragement too?
I loved this. In my mind, the tree sounded like Liam Neeson.
😆 Now I’m gonna hear Liam Neeson’s voice too!
if we really could converse with trees i think humanity and the world would be very different and far better
YES! Forest bathing should be a ‘mandatory class’ at all levels!
What a sweet friendship between them. I loved this framing of an elder telling stories.
Right?!? I think if she could have climbed into the tree’s lap, she would have! Thanks 😊
What a lovely interaction!
Thanks, Shony! It was really fun to play with the ‘imagined’ vs the ‘real’
Awesome, CB. I pat trees a lot, sometimes say hey. The mycorrhizal network and how trees pass water and nutrients along is amazing. Thanks for writing, good work!
Thanks, Joseph! One of the things I enjoyed about this writing prompt was “do thing deeper” — I had never known the extent and purpose of the mycorrhizal network, though I have noticed it before when digging in the dirt. Our world is so fascinating!
Incredible. Loved this conversation with the tree and the connection with the many disasters inflicted on our planet. A hopeful story of strength, pain, and survival. Truly enjoyed it. Thank you for writing it.
Thank you, Nick! It was fun (difficult) to write the tree’s POV—I’ve had some conversations with trees, but never this in-depth!
Beautiful CB! I am envious of the relationship dynamic between these characters.
Thank you, Annie! I kinda feel like some of my Substack Zone approach crept into this piece!
"If you could have a conversation with one natural landmark near you (a tree, rock formation, river), which would you choose and what would you ask it first?" I'd probably sit with the twisted oak in my backyard that survived last January's Santa Ana Winds - I think it would have stories to tell about dancing with the wind. Happy Tuesday :)
Happy Earth Day!
What is it about trees that make conversations with them so easy? So satisfying? Your backyard twisted oak must have some amazing stories! Do you ever go sit with it?
Nope, because the squirrels don't give me a chance.
I am a squirrel whisperer :)
😆 now I’m picturing you like Cinderella being dressed by the birds and mice… surrounded by squirrels 🐿️
I turned my IG page into squirrel videos lol
My friends back in Trinidad think I’ve lost my mind lol