Investigating A Log

~ There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story. ~

Linda Hogan, Chickasaw Nation

This story began long ago. We don't know the beginning, other than this...

Once upon a time, there was a seed. The seed pushed it's roots deep into the earth and shot it's sapling trunk up through the surface of the ground to reach up to the sun. It grew and grew. Seasons came and seasons went. Cold winters become cool springtime. Hot summers followed and the tree offered itself as shade. Animals and insects found their way to the tree. It provided a home to so many creatures! Colourful autumn days gave the message that another winter was on the way.

But the tree was not going to see another springtime.

It's parting gift was to lay across the ground and continue to give shelter to hibernating animals and insects. 

The tree was quite unaware of how truly magnificent it's legacy would be. For one day a teacher happened by. The teacher knew how precious the tree, now in pieces, was. The teacher brought the tree to her young children. The children had discovered a rotting log in a puddle just that week. They explored and investigated and were filled with wonder! 

Together, with the log, the tree revealed secrets of life and living things to the children. 

The ending of the story of this tree came to us, in the wonderful world of kindergarten, as it graciously implanted the seed of knowledge in all of us.