The story spark was Trees. I took the writing prompt: Scientists have discovered that trees communicate through networks of fungi below the ground. Tell us what you think they are saying to one another.
Passing Thoughts
“Not again!” the old oak passed along through its roots, “I can hear the buzzing in the background. Who is it this time?”
As I walked through our neighborhood with my wife, I could hear the sound of falling trees. “What are these people thinking?” I said to my wife.
“I’ll tell you what we’re thinking,” the old oak passed along. “You’re kind are murdering innocent living things for the sake of misguided beauty.”
My wife responded, “They’re not thinking, they are just interested in how beautiful their lawns must look. Trees are but a nuisance, and serve no purpose.”
“No purpose, indeed,” the old oak responded. What about the shade we provide on hot days, the homes we give wildlife, the fruits of our flowers? Tell me where you think you get your apples, pears, and cherries from.”
“I agree,” I reacted. Some people don’t think of anything but how much they will be able to sell their house with a well-manicured lawn. They only want small trees, or evergreens that don’t let leaves cover the ground every fall.
The old oak went on, “Yes, those leaves that we shed. The ones that provide shelter for those animals and insects that live here, too. Insects and worms not only refurbish those precious lawns and gardens, but also provide food for birds and other animals. What would you do without them?”
“I wish there were a way we could get people to understand the beauty of all living things,” my wife said. “All the benefits we get from nature and native plants.”
“It’s interesting how you talk about native plants,” the old oak commented in response to my wife’s statement. “You talk like having a diverse culture is a bad thing, yet that is what you profess as a good thing in your human existence. At least most of you do.”
As we came to the end of our block, we noticed the destruction caused by the new neighbors who had just moved in. A barren landscape, with many trees in their front lawn destroyed. We both looked at each other and said, “So sad.”
We were not privy to the tree network, as they communicated anger and sadness alongside us.
