Walking through the woods

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