As you climb through the wood and run through the trees
You’ll feel someone is watching you who you cannot see
His name is Tom and he’s been left all alone
You are the intruder, you’ve entered his home
Look all around you and feel the rise of the wind
Their checking you out to see if you’re evil or kin
The woods know all, they always have done
Our ancestors knew it but we seem to have forgotten
But back to Tom to the start of our story
The legend, the tale, in all its glory
For he once was just a child like you or like me
Who went for a walk and got stolen by the trees
His mother had warned him, the woods were out of bounds
Tom and his friends giggled, nodded, then went into town.
But on the way home after a boring day
They entered the woods and started to play
They followed the tracks, were many had passed
It led to a clearing, from which ran many paths
Which one to follow, the three children looked at each other
Then Tom made the decision and strode ahead waving to his brother
Laughing out loudly, they weaved in and out the trees
They chased rabbits and squirrels and tried to catch bees
Then Tom fell over scratching his knee
and the sunlight faded to red and up rose a breeze
The children grew cold, now hungry and tired
Ready to return home to face mum and dad
They returned to the trail and followed the track
But it seemed endless, where was the way back?
Tom looked at his brother and their neighbour Jake
They looked so small and tiny as the light began to fade
He was the oldest, his job was to lead
So he stacked a load of pinecones, underneath a tree
He remembered the story of a breadcrumb trail
But no-one would mind eat his pinecones, his plan couldn’t fail
So he left the marker and then a trail to the clearing
Once he got there he shouted, hoping his brother would hear him
But from behind him, came a tap on his shoulder
When he spun round it was just a tree and a boulder
Then another knock came then a voice on the breeze
It was whispering to him, the voice of the trees
Thank you for the gifts, they’ll do rather nicely
They are young and fresh and ever so spritely
We thought people had forgotten the powers of the woods
You use us for camping and biking and collecting our wood
But you never pay homage like your ancestors did
Now you have surprised us by providing two plump kids
“No” shouted Tom. That wasn’t the plan
The whisperings continued but Tom couldn’t understand
His brother was in danger and he started to cry
But the woods were reluctant to give up their prize
Well we want something from you a treasure to hide
People are now so ungrateful for what we provide
Tom thought and thought, what could he give the trees?
What would they want to let his brother go free?
He thought of all the things his mother had told about trees
He curled up his legs, seeing the round bruise on his knees
Then came the decision, the boldest he could make
His plan was something the woods couldn’t debate
“Let my brother and Jake go free”
The whispering turned to laughter amongst the trees
What will you give us in exchange for the boys?
I am far more worthy prize for you to enjoy
Swap two for one that doesn’t seem fair
So Tom showed them his knee and said “look at my rings here”
“I am a tree you see in all but name
I am a grand prize to you, and our rings are the same”
You see, trees value wisdom above all other things
They grow taller and wider and create lots of rings
Marking their importance and heritage too
Something Tom’s mother had taught him and he was proud he knew.
Ok you can join us we’ll set the others free
We’ll teach you the whisper and you can become a tree
We’ll show you our ways and all we hold dear
You can visit your family for one day each year
So remember next time you visit the woods
To whisper to the trees a quick thank you
And if you see a face hidden in a tree
It’s probably old Tom making sure you can leave
The trees are magic our ancestors knew
They whisper their secrets of all they know that’s true
Their beauty and wisdom and this history they hold
And remember this story you’ve now been told
