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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: SEA CHANGE or TREE CHANGE (07/13/17)
Prairie Giant



“How old are you?” I asked, looking up at the giant cottonwood tree in our yard. Birds were singing and flitting among the leaves way up there, and I saw several nests as well. It must have been 100 feet high at least. “I know you have stories to tell, if only you could talk.”



How many people had this tree been shade to? How many birds had nested in its high branches? How many storms had this giant weathered? It had been witness to at least 100 years of travelers and storms I imagined, and still its dark green, waxy leaves shimmered in the breeze every summer, and those leaves turned a vibrant yellow every fall, just as if it were still young.



I stretched my arms as far as I could to hug that big tree, but I could only reach around a small portion. The huge trunk was a hiding place for children playing hide-and-seek, and the recessed “cave” where trunk met earth was a favorite spot for the imagination, wondering what secret creatures lived down in there. One could count three huge separate trunks formed together into one tree but divided enough to climb up into the center of its embrace. This tree was a landmark for sure and could be seen for miles in any direction.



Then one day, with a deafening crack, one of the three trunks separated and fell away from the other two. It hit the ground and shook the earth, then lay silently there, leaves still shimmering in the breeze. How long would the giant survive with only two remaining parts? Only time would tell.



It was years later when the second trunk was also released from its hold and fell with an enormous crash to the ground. There in the now-visible center of the tree were two sickle blades left there by some long ago pioneer, and the tree had grown around them, making them invisible until the second trunk fell. Another story the tree could tell.



Now only the last trunk stood upright, leaves waving unaltered in the winds and breezes. How long would this one remain with the cave on one side revealing much decay and its two companions gone, leaving no support on the other side? This tree’s days are all numbered by God, just as my days are. The tree has lived a beautiful life, giving shelter, shade and joy to many. I can take a lesson from this tree and try to make my life a joy and blessing to others as well.
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This article has been read 417 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
JANET JONES
07/20/17
I love the imagery in this story and the gentle natural flow of your words.

You followed the theme nicely from beginning to end without being obvious or forced.

The lesson was tender and meaningful.

I look forward to reading much more from you!
C D Swanson 
07/20/17
Great job with this!
Blessings~
Noel Mitaxa 
07/20/17
Tree-mendous!
A very reflective and descriptive picture that suddenly became a devotional piece. Well done.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
07/21/17
I truly enjoyed this and can totally relate. Much to my family's chagrin, I can often be found wandering about talking to plants, animals, and sometimes to planes hundreds of yards above me. Although technically tree change is an Australian term that means leaving the city for the country, I think you did a great job of writing on topic as you saw it. Each week on the message boards (forums), Deb places a small blurb that describes the topic and tells what the judges are looking for. You aren't the only one who didn't know the term though, and like I said, I think you did a great job with what you did. Your message is a powerful one. I stopped reading and literally felt a warm glow spread over me. I've no doubt it was the Holy Spirit speaking to me through your beautiful imagery. Thank you for sharing. You touched my heart and made me smile.
Phillip Cimei
07/21/17
What a beautiful story. I love it. You made me stand next to you and watch the transition take place.

I think that if you started with the sentence that started with "Then one day..." it would have created a good hook and then build about your feelings about the tree and its future.


My heart was touched by your imagery. I could see some of those trunks falling off of my life. Great job. God bless
Larry Whittington
07/22/17
Part of the story sounds like you were standing just a slight way off looking at the tree as you were writing. You were putting your feelings into your writing.

Nothing else seemed to be nearby except the tree.

I liked what you wrote.
Success Olaleye
07/23/17
I love the imagery and descriptive nature of your writing.
I could see the picture of your tree in my head.
Thanks for the message.It reminds us of that one day we would fall to the ground. However, how much shade and shelter we are to others today would be taken into account, when our trunk eventually comes off - as in your story.
Love,
Success.