The Oak and the Apple

“Why does the farmer always waste his time with that petty old apple tree,” the big strong oak asked as a young woodpecker landed on a low hanging branch. “Well,” whistled the woodpecker, “he does provide delicious apples that everyone on the farm very much enjoys.” “That’s all he’s good for”, replied the big oak tree. “I on the other hand provide shade for the house so it doesn’t get too hot in the summer. My largest branch provides a sturdy structure to hang a tire swing on in the fall. My body provides a perfect home for squirrels in the winter and bird’s nests in the spring. I am such a useful tree all year long. That silly apple tree is only good for a couple of months at a time.” “If you say so,” mumbled the woodpecker as he flew away into the setting sun. The oak refocused his attention to the apple tree, which was currently being given nutrients by the farmer. The farmer cared for the apple tree very much, always giving him water and surrounding him by the best compost in the state. As the chores were finished and the sky turned black, the oak tree looked up as a shooting star sliced through the sky. “I wish I would be treated better than the apple tree,” whispered the oak as the whole farm stood still for the night.

The next morning the big oak tree woke to the farmer singing a cheerful tune while strolling to where the oak proudly stood. In the farmers arms were huge bags of mulch. As the oak looked down on the farmer, he watched the man carefully surround his trunk with the fresh, rich mulch. “What is going on”, wondered the oak. After the farmer spread the mulch out evenly, he took out a pair of pruners and trimmed the dead and weak branched off the tree. The oak loved it for he hated carrying all that dead weight o...

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...d perched on one of his limbs. Before he could ask the apple tree where his dear friend was, the farmer perched an old wooden ladder against the tree and climbed to where the bird sat. Slowly and carefully, the farmer would pick a few apples, climb down the ladder, and gently place them in huge wooden barrels. He repeated this process for quite some time until every barrel was full. He then lifted them into his truck and drove away.

“That’s a very snazzy concept of putting those apples in barrels like that,” spoke the woodpecker to the apple tree, “those barrels are new right?” “Brand new”, answered the apple tree. “I wonder our dear friend the oak tree has seen them yet. He sure would admire their beauty and strength,” said the woodpecker cheerfully, “where is he anyways?” “As always,” replied the apple tree, “he is being the most importantly used tree around.”