The Sharing Tree

by Mary Judd-Pechie

Many years ago, Tree lived alone in the Forest. Tree stood tall and proud, reaching up to Sky, Sun, Clouds, Moon, and Stars. Tree was content.

Then one day Lichen came along. “Tree”, said Lichen, “Are you lonely here, reaching up to Sky, Sun, Clouds, Moon, and Stars?” “No”, said Tree, “I am content- are you lonely, Lichen?”

“Tree, I am in great need - I have to find someone to live upon- I will surely perish if I try to live alone; may I stay here and grow upon your mighty trunk, your outstretched limbs, your deep roots?”

Tree grew very quiet like we do when we are thinking deep thoughts.

Finally, Tree spoke. “Lichen”, Tree said, “This shall be your home if you are able to agree to one thing."

Lichen jumped up with glee, shouting, “Yes, Tree, I will agree! Please tell me what I need to do!”

Tree asked Lichen, “Are you willing to share our home with another Forest Being in need, when the time comes to do so? And to support each member of our family as they grow, no matter how much difficulty it might cause us to do so?”

“Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!”, was Lichen’s reply.

“So shall it be”, said Tree, and they were both content.

Some time passed and then Fungus walked through the forest, approaching Lichen and Tree. “Hello Lichen and Tree! I am Fungus. I need a place to grow upon to support my life-otherwise I will surely perish.”

Fungus was looking quite forlorn.

Lichen and Tree grew very quiet, like we do when we are thinking deep thoughts. Finally, Lichen and Tree spoke together.

“Fungus”, they said, “This shall be your home if you are able to agree to one thing.”

Fungus jumped up with glee, shouting, “Yes, Lichen and Tree, I will agree! Please tell me what I need to do!”

Lichen and Tree then asked Fungus “Are you willing to share our home with another Forest Being in need, when the time comes to do so? And to support each member of our family as they grow, no matter how much difficulty it might cause us to do so?”

“Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!”, was Fungus’ reply.

“So shall it be”, said Lichen and Tree , and they were all three content.

The three lived in harmony. Some time passed and then Fallen Leaf fell from the sky, landing right on top of Fungus’ back! “Sky sent me to ask you if I may rest upon your strong back, Fungus, in the home you share with Lichen and Tree. I am fragile and light and will be carried away by Strong Wind and lost to the forest if I do not find a home.”

Fungus, Lichen, and Tree grew very quiet like we do when we are thinking deep thoughts.

Finally, Fungus, Lichen and Tree spoke together. “Fallen Leaf”, they said, “This shall be your home if you are able to agree to one thing."

Fallen Leaf jumped up with glee, shouting, “Yes, Fungus, Lichen and Tree, I will agree! Please tell me what I need to do!”

Fungus, Lichen and Tree then asked Fallen Leaf “Are you willing to share our home with another Forest Being in need, when the time comes to do so? And to support each member of our family as they grow, no matter how much difficulty it might cause us to do so?”

“Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!”, was Fallen Leaf’s reply.

“So shall it be”, said Fungus, Lichen and Tree, and they were all four content.

Several Moons later, Birch Bark spoke up from its place upon the tree. “Tree, Lichen, Fungus, and Fallen Leaf, I am growing old and my Bark is curling and twisting. I am afraid it will disturb your growth and cause you great suffering, as it is sharp and could break your tender shoots. Will you lend me your soft surfaces to curl upon and hold me up as I age?”

Tree, Lichen, Fungus, and Fallen Leaf did not grow quiet! Instead they shouted out, in one voice, “For Birch Bark we would do this and more! Long live Birch Bark who has given us a chance to strive together to gain strength and courage to lend to our kin!”

And they all gathered around Old Birch Bark and soothed the rough edges of Bark’s curls. And all five were content.

The Sharing Tree is the Soul Walk Project of Mary Judd-Pechie, FTS Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Copper Beech Institute 2022 cohort.

You can follow her at Winterbrook Farm.