Ketch-up Tuesday: Denise's Perspective Challenge

 

Denise's perspective challenge 

 Tree stump in an enchanted forest GI by FairytaleDesign from Getty Images

 

Long ago, before the gods were destroyed, he stood in the realm of the forest, tall and regal,ageless. 

Nature paid him homage.

The sun warmed his branches. Moonlight threw his shadow. The rain nurtured him. The wind blew dulcimer melodies through his branches. Even the woodland creatures honored him with their presence as the birds sang delicately in his ears. Only man stayed away.  

Perhaps, they feared what they didn't understand. Whatever their reasons, he cared naught.

Then one day, when least expected, the little girl burst into the forest. Her radiance rivaling the moon and her smile the sun. She craned her neck and looked up where his branches reached into the sky, overshadowing the other trees.

She walked to him, her small hand outstretched and placed it on his rough bark."Thank you," she said simply. A child that understood what lived  inside the tall, magnificent tree. He lowered his branches till they gently encircled her. A moment later, he raised them again, standing immobile as he had for centuries, the sentinel of the forest.  

Years passed. Then one day, when least expected, an old woman, bent and leaning on a cane, traversed the forest. Her radiance faded, her smile dimmed. She hobbled forward and placed her hand on the gnarled tree stump. "Thank you," she said simply. For a moment, a face appeared in the stump and nodded. Then the features disappeared and the stump stood immobile, the sentinel of the forest.