Christmas Tree Story

Christmas story from the perspective of a Christmas tree, written by a 12 year old!

Date:   12/21/2005 8:02:30 PM   ( 19 y ) ... viewed 3109 times

MY LIFE AS A CHRISTMAS TREE



12/19/05


Today is a wonderful day. The sun is out and shining on my forest home. I am surrounded by my friends and family. I watch as a blue bird lands in its nest upon my mother’s head. We are pine trees, green and tall, masters of the forest. We are at peace with the world and all its inhabitants.

I am talking to my mother when I hear a strange sound, the sound of trees falling down. I watch in horror as I see my mother being pulled to the ground by humans. Now it’s my turn; I feel my roots start to shake, my trunk trembling, and then I am free of the Earth’s safe grasp. I am loaded up onto the humans’ truck and shipped out of the forest, the only home I have ever known. I am cold; even in my coat of pine needles the wind still makes me shiver. I pass by houses, cars, and light poles, things I have never known. I finally arrive at a lot full of trees I have never seen before. The humans take me off the top of the truck and place me with the rest of the trees. I feel insecure, but then I see my mother and feel safe again.

The humans open up the gate and people start running inside. A little girl runs over to me and tells her dad she wants to buy me. “Buy me?” I think, startled. Then I realize that to them, I am merely an object to be bought and thrown away. The man pays for me and I am loaded onto their car. When we get to their house and the man says, “home sweet home,” I can’t help thinking of the forest I shall never see again. The man goes in the house and calls to his son, Jake, to help carry me inside. Once inside they start taking little balls and candy canes out of boxes and putting them on me. The little girl named Rachel, being only three, asked what they were for. “To make the tree feel beautiful,” her dad explained. And when they were done I felt beautiful indeed.

Once again it’s a beautiful, sunny day. The sun’s light bounces off my decorations and reflects on the walls. In the night Mr. Falen, Rachel’s dad, placed presents under me. I feel very important guarding them. It’s now time to open the presents, and Jake is the first one. He grabs his present and rips it open. Inside is a Play Station, and Jake screams in pleasure. “Merry Christmas” says his dad. The noisy celebration carries on for a while, but soon all is quiet except for the breeze from the open window rustling my needles.

Christmas is over and my decorations are taken off. I become scared when Mr. Falen brings in the trash can. It seems that this family no longer cares for me. Mr. Falen, with the help of Jake, picks me up and plops me in the trash can. They take me outside and start digging a hole. I fear they will bury me, never to see the sun again. Then something amazing happens. They plant me in the ground, not to be buried, but to be cherished forever.

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Annual Christmas Tree Question:  Real vs. Fake?  Pesticided or Organic? Large agri-farmed or small family owned tree lot? Live or dead?  Tree or no tree?  Read on: http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2004/12/08/umbra-tree/ 

Simple Solution:  http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/home/341

Eco-benefits of tree recycling. Why buying a live Christmas tree with roots is an eco-friendly Christmas tradition. How Christmas tree farms benefit the environment. When Christmas trees are not eco-friendly.

How to Plant a Tree: http://www.americanforests.org/planttrees/howto.php

National Wildlife Federation: Decorating a Tree for Wildlife

RECYCLE YOUR TREE!

If you do use a real cut tree, please be sure to MULCH, COMPOST, or RECYCLE it after the Holidays, instead of putting it out in the garbage where it will end up in a land fill.  Ideas and how to's: http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/home/341 or http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/christmas_tree.html or http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1994/12-9-1994/xmas.html

National Wildlife Federation: Earth 911: Find a Nearby Location to Recycle your Christmas Tree

Or don't buy a tree, and instead, donate your time/money to: American Forests  http://www.americanforests.org/

American Forests works to protect, restore and enhance the natural capital of trees and forests. Healthy forests filter water, remove air pollution, sequester carbon, and provide homes for wildlife. Help plant trees to restore areas damaged by wildfire, where critical wildlife habitat has been lost, and to clean our air and water.

Or, think about giving a meaningful gift that will be remembered for years to come. Give a tree in honor of friends and loved ones from Heifer International, and bring hope and opportunity to a family in need.  Make a Difference with Trees: Trees are planted to restore eroding hillsides, replenish the soil with nitrogen and serve as wind breaks. The gift of a valuable tree can help a family grow life-sustaining crops and provide a better life for themselves and their community.

Or, consider a donation in a loved one's name to: Trees for the Future  http://www.plant-trees.org/about.htm

Trees For The Future is an organization that has been the steward of planting trees throughout the world since the early 70's. Their mission of sustainable agroforestry thoughout the world involves planting trees on degraded lands to minimize soil erosion, supply forage for animals, and provide a source of fuelwood. Communities around the world turn to Trees for the Future for technical knowledge and planting materials so that they can bring degraded lands and struggling farmlands back to sustainable productivity. With the help of volunteers and community leaders world-wide, the program technicians reach even the most remote areas.

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 

Liora Leah

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