Evergreens Pt. 1

Winter was coming. The birds had flown far to the south, where the air was warm, and they could find berries to eat. One little bird had broken its wing and could not fly with the others. It was alone in the cold world of frost and snow.

The forest looked warm, so the little bird made its way to the trees, as well as it could, to ask for help. First, the little bird came to a birch tree.

"Beautiful birch tree," said the bird, "my wing is broken, and my friends have flown away. May I live among your branches until they come back to me?"

"No, indeed," answered the birch tree, drawing her fair leaves away. "We of the great forest have our own birds to help. I can do nothing for you."

The birch is not very strong, thought the little bird. Maybe she could not hold me easily. I will ask the oak.

"Great oak tree, you are so strong. Will you let me live on your boughs until my friends come back in the springtime?"

"In the springtime!" cried the oak. "That is a long way off. How do I know what you might do in all that time? Birds are always looking for something to eat. You might even eat up some of my acorns."

That's unlucky, thought the bird. Perhaps the willow will be kind to me.

"Gentle willow," it said, "my wing is broken, and I could not fly to the south with the other birds. May I live on your branches until the springtime?"

The willow did not look gentle then. She drew herself up proudly.

"Indeed, I do not know you, and we willows never talk to anyone we do not know. I'm sure there are trees somewhere that will take in strange birds. Leave me at once."