stones ALONE IN THE WOODS 59 



present when one is in tune with them. It is then the universal 

 language can be understood and the trees will speak to you as 

 they speak to each other; as they speak to the beasts, and the 

 beasts among themselves. It is then we learn not only facts about 

 nature, but we may forget all trouble and even the passing of 

 time, and enjoy as do the wild things. The hills, the fresh air, 

 and all wild life are our best, our wisest friends. How sweet the 

 ministry of the woods. The trees are fresh and full of life. They 

 sway and rustle and their swaying and their rustling soothe and 

 comfort like the voice of a mother comforts her child. 



A sickly, tired, selfish, and discouraged woman took her son, 

 twelve years old, as her only companion, and went to the woods 

 where they spent fifteen days and nights alone. Her boy amused 

 himself boating and swimming while she spent the days and often 

 a part of the night learning to understand the great law of love 

 where spite and cruelty are unknown. She forgot to worry, when 

 she looked into a brown thrush's nest and six old birds came to 

 protect the four baby thrushes. There she learned community 

 service. 



Her discouragement vanished when she watched the happiness 

 of the birds building their nests, feeding their young, and all 

 singing songs of rejoicing over work well done. She learned to re- 

 lax her tired body and enjoy complete rest, in the quiet isolation 

 from civilized excitement, and the perfect harmony of all her 

 surroundings which were constantly unfolding and could never 

 become monotonous. When she understood the superficial, she 

 looked for the more hidden treasures of understanding in the ways 

 of wild life. It was as though she entered a new world. Where 

 before she only saw, she now understood why. Why the leaves 

 drop from the trees. Why one bird builds its nest in the top 

 of a tree and another on the ground. Why all wild things were 

 afraid of her and how to avoid causing them to fear. After two 

 weeks in the woods, she came forth rested, and with a new and 

 broader view of life. A real lover of nature. Not only wild 

 nature but with a deeper sympathy and understanding of human 

 nature. For after all, tlrere is but one great law of nature which 

 is the law of love. And God is love. There is nothing so restful 

 as love. Who has not heard the loving call of nature that is so 

 hard to resist? The more we know the great outdoors, the 

 stronger the call. The stronger the call the more satisfactory 

 the rest alone in the woods. 



