THE OLDEST OAK OF ALL

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 286, 30 August 1941, Page 14

THE OLDEST OAK OF ALL

(Original by Mytyl (12), Wellington.) (We did not have room for this story'in our Special Page, but although Arbor Day has passed, we are sure that you Will enjoy this tree story of Mytyl’s just the same).

A LONG the narrow, well-worn track and over the little wooden bridge, Peggy made her way until she came to the tiny stream beside which stood her friend, the oak tree., It might seem funny having a tree for a friend, but Peggy lived in ff lonely part of the country and she liked confiding with the old oak. Today, as she le au J against the gnarled trunk she could not help thinking that though the tree was very tail and beautiful, it seemed to have a pathetic look about it. Maybe it was because the branches, instead of being Hung joyfully toward the sky, drooped downward. Maybe it was because—but, then, what was the use of dreaming? „ “•Good morning, my little friend. Pe”gv started, to see the oak tree looking down at her kindly. He had, yes, a real face! “Oh, do not be frightened,” continued the tree. "I know von have not heard me talking before, but then things are different now. Nobody seems to bother about me.” .Peggy asked him to explain. “Well,” said the oak, "it is a mng story. Would you like to hear it? “Ob, yes, please!” evclaimed Peggy. "Many, many years ago I was planted here with some oilier trees who were all great friends of mine. We were voting then and happy and every day we would talk to each other gaily, tell stories, and discuss the people who walked past or sat under us. Of course, every day of my life was not as gay as that. For instance, there was the time when the woodcutters, deadly’ enemies of ours, came, and one by oue chopped down all the other trees around me. 1 was very sad to see this, and It almost killed me when my greatest friend was pulled down.”

Here the oak dropped some great big acorns, which Peggy presumed to he tears. "So I had n<> more friends lett, and day by day I grew more lonely. Nobodv’ Io talk to. Nobody to grieve, to. Then one day a little hoy came and sat under me just as you did and nearlv every day afterward he came, probably because he needed a companion. too. "A few days afterward the woodcutters returned to cut me down. I was frightened. I could not do anything. It was then that, the little boy rushed over to the woodcutters and implored them not to pull me down. To my astonishment they did not touch me.

Yes, he saved my life! But a few years after that he went away and I was left by myself. “Now I have a friend again, though, finished the oak with a happy smile. “You must have had a very exciting time,” said Peggy. There was no answer. Peggy looked tip to find the tree had lost his face. Everything was silent!

After that Peggy visited the large bak tree nearly every day, for she knew even though she never spoke to him again that the kind old tree needed a companion. And when Arbor Day came round, Peggy would walk back across the little bridge and behind her there woulp be another tiny oak tree nodding beside the Ting of stumps surrounding the Oldest Oak of All.