68 The Tree and How it Lives 



there is much of interest in the way they live 

 and die. 



From the tiny seed to the wide-spreading tree 

 is more than the span of the average human life. 

 In the beginning the tree is but a small, weak 

 seedling, barely strong enough to stand alone. 

 The larger trees protect it from the hot rays of 

 the summer sun and from the colder storms and 

 winds of winter. Sheltered by the older trees, 

 the seedlings too, in time, grow tall and straight, 

 and become able to take their places in the forest 

 where they grow. In turn they help to care for 

 the younger trees below them, and finally, when 

 they are no longer needed, they go too. There is 

 much we may learn from the forest tree. 



Live thy life Summer-rich 



Young and old, Then; and then 



Like yon oak, Autumn-changed, 



Bright in spring, Soberer-hued, 



Living gold. Gold again. 



All his leaves 



Fall'n at length, 



Look, he stands, 



Trunk and bough, 



Naked strength. 



Tennyson. 



