It was all the talk of the forest as the squirrels
were huddling in their dens dishing dirt or at least observations as to what
they had seen. Walnuts, pine nuts and chestnuts were generously shared with
the Weasels, Stoats, Chipmunks and Ferrets all in exchange for intelligence.
The Bucks discussed it in their annual rut all the
while smashing antlers to sort out their hierarchical dominance. Bobcats whispered to Mountain
Lions; Badgers compared notes with Beavers. Cave bats hung around with Possums discussing
these most interesting current events. In fact, the whole forest was alive with
information about the upcoming annual event colloquially known as the Waltz of
The Trees. This was a secret occasion only spoken of in close company with discrete
friends and trusted acquaintances.
Mother Nature had cast a
spell so that the trees could uproot themselves and bundle their roots discreetly
in their lowest bows purposely moving forward to arrive in time for the event. This
spell extended till well after the event ended so that all attendees would have
ample time to return to their homes. Even the location was a secret, although
one with keen powers of observation could surmise where it was to be held, as
an unusually large number of Beavers had assembled in a certain meadow about a
week before the big day, busily cutting, chomping, gnawing and dragging dead timbers around in
an attempt to create spaciousness and comfort for the invited guests.
This was quite unlike a human
dance where all the guests arrived in limousines and sporty cars leaving for
their destination a short while before their arrival .By contrast one could see
deciduous trees and evergreens moving for days and even weeks, proceeding
towards the site, some even throwing themselves in rivers to shorten the
journey on this annual pilgrimage. One could smell the upturned earth as the
massive trees moved through the forest. As the date arrived the perimeter of the
meadow became more and more crowded with a dense forest of different species socializing
with other species that they rarely encountered in their natural habitats. The
Banyans bandied about, the Ficus formulated, Ashes articulated while Maples
mumbled, and Elms enunciated. The brooks babbled on about the event with the
streams, tributaries, pools and lakes. The fish, deep in their pools, delighted
to think of all the unusual, tasty residents of the ponds that would be flushed
out by all this movement to make scrumptious delicacies for the cocktail hour. The
birds of prey, all on best behavior, surveyed the area gliding high above, making
sure that pests such as termites and invasive beetles knew that they were not
welcome. Eagles, Hawks and Falcons all cooperating collectively and symbiotically
secured the site for their benefactors who throughout the year provided a home and
sustenance for all the creatures of the forest.
Finally, the day had arrived.
The festivities opened with shooting stars making cameo appearances, even a comet
swung by sputtering sparks from its tail followed by the last of the summer
fireflies putting on an impressive aerial display dancing with multicolored butterflies.
The devotions of the praying mantises were answered as it was a beautiful clear
night, and all the stars came out for the show. One by one each deciduous leaf
bearing tree made a grand entrance in all the beautiful colors of fall with
their roots neatly gathered and bunched discreetly out of the way. Magenta, scarlet, mahogany, lemon, lime, aqua and forest green were some of the colors
displayed. Evergreens stately and conservatively dressed in their dark green
tuxedos advanced on schedule towards their deciduous partners to dance the night
away. Soon the clearing was full of the pairs dancing to the music of the
orchestra which consisted of ants playing acorn lid cymbals, while beetles
bongoed on hollowed out acorns and grasshoppers, crickets, birds and bees all blended in an enchanted arrangement
to create the Symphony of the Night. All three forest environments were
represented the Temperate, the Tropical and the Boreal or Taiga from frozen
climes. Scarlet Oaks Swung, Deciduous leaf bearers Discoed, Conifers County
Danced, Walnuts Waltzed, while Douglas Firs Foxtroted, Pines pirouetted, and Willows wobbled
but did not weep as that Tiagan trees Tangoed, enjoying this comparatively warm
weather. From a birds-eye view the meadow was alive with movement swaying this
way and that.
After many hours the moon waned
and set in the east but not before waking up the sun to take over for the day
shift. The trees danced till early afternoon until tired and spent they took
long drinks in the stream before saying their goodbyes and returning home to
dream of next year’s arboreal assembly.
Dec '22
