THE TREE FOLK 19 



the Allies victory in the World War. Cooperation is the 

 secret of every symphony, of every masterpiece of paint- 

 ing, of every cathedral. It is the secret of all noble 

 achievement. *'The darkness and chains of hell/' Dr. 

 William T. Harris used to say, *' are but symbols of the 

 isolation of the individual. The joys of heaven are all 

 cooperative." 



The trees understand cooperation, even within per- 

 sonal limits. When the wandering boy thoughtlessly 

 knifes off the leader of a young Pine, two or more of the 

 branches rise up to take its place. At first they compete 

 for primacy. But as soon as one branch has proved its 

 capacity for leadership the others retire from the race 

 and fall back as cooperating members of the growing 

 tree. Herein is wisdom. 



SINCERITY is a cardinal virtue in the Tree world. 

 Good trees are honest, frank, and unashamed of 

 their past. They never try to hide a scar, or dye their 

 hair, or paint their faces. They never wear wigs or false 

 teeth. They accept what befalls them and do the best 

 they can. Or, as a friend of mine says, "They take the 

 favors Providence thrusts upon them and look as cheer- 

 ful as possible." 



The tree bears in its body the true record of its life. 

 Have a look at a spray of Horsechestnut, for example. 

 Here is one I have sketched for you (Plate IX). 



