A THOUSAND-YEAR PINE 



was covered with a thick, rough, gol- 

 den-brown bark which was broken 

 into irregular plates. Several of his 

 arms were bent and broken. Alto- 

 gether, he presented a timeworn but 

 heroic appearance. 



It is almost a marvel that trees 

 should live to become the oldest of 

 living things. Fastened in one place, 

 their struggle is incessant and severe. 

 From the moment a baby tree is born 

 from the instant it casts its tiny 

 shadow upon the ground until 

 death, it is in danger from insects and 

 animals. It cannot move to avoid 

 danger. It cannot run away to escape 

 enemies. Fixed in one spot, almost 

 helpless, it must endure flood and 

 drought, fire and storm, insects and 

 earthquakes, or die. 

 6 



