It came as a surprise to him to learn that trees shared traits. He had been told that such was the case in human beings but had discounted that as racism. And yet this oak was telling him that he, like all oaks, preferred to live alone of his kind. In the beginning, the parent just shot the seed far away and let the child develop without further supervision. The oakling actually became self-reliant, yet open to the kindness of strangers. In particular, birds were very kind to him. They would bring him advice and word from his faraway parent.

And then he didn't feel so alone. The wind taught him to dance. He learned foreign tongues from trees of different species. At first, he didn't know they were different, having never seen himself in a mirror. Tall pines looked fatherly, bushes looked friendly. He grew up with other saplings but his growth was slower, his leaves larger. He was strong and his roots were deep. He radiated energy like none of the others, and around him the land was bare. His shadow made it hard for others to grow close to him, and his initial openness was turned inward.

He developed a hard skin. The perfection of his leaves was intriguing. He crafted them cleverly - a slightly odd shape reminiscent of ocean waves or clouds. He was a dreamer and channelled his long solitary hours into whimsical shapes and sounds. He liked to imitate the hooting of the owl and the songs of the birds who visited him. They would play for hours together, talking and laughing, his leaves rustling like feathers in the wind. His acorns were strikingly unique. He willed them oh so slightly different colors: from pale green to spotty yellow and brown. He inspired Impressionists.

The boy looked at him: "Do you mind if I make a pipe out of your acorn? See, I will just stick a toothpick in the fleshy part and put the other end in my mouth. That way, the "hat"looks just like a pipe!"The oak looked annoyed. He was really a grumbling odd one. "What do you need a pipe for?""It's just for fun, make-believe, you know? Then we can pretend we're two old men, chatting about the old days."He patted the ground. The oak shuffled his leaves, looking slightly ruffled. "You start-, he said gruffly.

"Oh, what a painful day-, said the boy in an old creaky voice. "My arthritis is killing me."The tree shook with laughter. There was a rumble on the ground as he exclaimed: "You're tickling my roots!"The boy inhaled on his toothpick-pipe. "I reckon it's going to rain..."The oak was thinking furiously. He was not used to conversation and could not find a clever repartee. The boy had paused expectantly. "Sit under my branches and I will shield you from the rain."The boy looked annoyed. "You are supposed to be an old man. Try again. With feeling.-

The oak fell silent and still. He was drawing inspiration from within, as he always did when faced with a difficult task. Suddenly, he began shimmering: he had an idea. He started whistling softly. Soon, birds joined in. The boy was mesmerized by the beauty of the sounds that engulfed him. It seemed to him that time stood still. Sounds were flowing through him, caressing him, lifting him up, he was flying, feeling beautiful colours. He was out of himself yet enjoying his state. In time, the symphony receded. He bowed low in front of the tree, filled with awe.

"Splendid-, said the boy, his eyes still sparkling. "Can you show me how it's done?""Ah"said the oak, "it will take time, much time"The boy sat down. "What are you doing?"asked the oak. "Making myself comfortable. You said it would take time.""Hmmm-, replied the oak. "Very well then. Sit still and be quiet."The boy sat still. He was still under the spell of the beautiful music. Without realizing it, he started humming what he had heard. He was still holding the pipe, chewing the toothpick absent-mindedly and smiling. The oak realized he had a pupil.

The boy was lost in thought - he felt more than understood the presence of the tree. It was a strong benevolent force and it added to his strength. It seemed to waken wisdom too, that he did not know he possessed. The boy waited. Suddenly he felt a hard round thing hit his shoulder. He opened his eyes and smiled at a squirrel. It was staring at him, looking furious. "Get off my property-, it said and pelted him with an acorn. He shrugged. Suddenly, out of the woodworks, other squirrels joined in to the cacophony and were throwing acorns.

A voice within told him to stand firm and be calm. He was struggling, trying to avoid the acorns and blank out the yelling. He started singing, at the top of his lungs: "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands"while furiously clapping, and did the whole song, dodging acorns while clapping, snapping his fingers, stomping his feet. By the time he was shouting Hurrah! The squirrels were in full swing, clapping their hands, snapping their fingers as bet they could, stomping their little feet and shouting in unison. Because, really, who can resist such a song?

Shortly, the oak tree shuddered and the squirrels quieted down. "Very good, little man-, he said amicably. "Now pick up those acorns. They are a little bitter but if you munch on those herbs by the stream before eating them, it will be fine.""What stream, Mr Oak?""Barney will lead you-, he said as a squirrel came forth. The boy filled his pockets with acorns and followed the squirrel. Barney was light gray and quiet. He had not joined in the attack. The boy had a feeling he orchestrated it and a nagging feeling Mr Oak had approved it.

They were by the stream. The squirrel lead him to a patch of sweet grass and started nibbling. He set his acorns down between them. "Help yourself-, he said, and went looking for something to act as a container. He finally found some bard that he broke in two and in its hollow; he carefully drew a bit of water that he brought back for his host. They feasted on the sweet grass, the buttery acorn and water until the boy felt no more hunger. He was full and felt like talking. "Are you from this area?"he asked Barney.

"I am neither from here nor there-, he replied enigmatically. "I hop around."The boy tried again: "How did you meet Mr Oak?""My wife and I raised our children in his arms. They are all gone now."The boy did not press on. Did "gone"mean "dead-? he wondered. He decided best to ask Mr Oak instead, since Barney did not offer any explanation. "And yourself?"asked Barney with curiosity. "We don't often see sons of men.""I came here to learn-, he said simply. His answer seemed to please Barney who nodded gravely. He mumbled: Don't we all?-

"Let's head back and set up your quarters before nightfall."They were back at the oak tree in a matter of minutes. The sky was ablaze with the colors of the sunset. "Tonight, I propose you sleep on one of my high branches. Barney will keep an eye on you to let you know of intruders."The boy slept poorly through the night, though the oak's arms were quite comfortable. He had taken place in a large abandoned nest made of twigs and feathers and Barney stood guard. The night sounds kept him awake and his dreams were not pleasant.

It was dawn and he was wide awake. He was watching three fireflies flying together... except they weren't fireflies. Fairies! He could hear them laugh, quarrel and giggle. He made himself very small and peered excitedly over the side of the nest. Those were his first fairies ever. They were tiny, and looked exactly like Tinkerbell. He hoped they did not have a temper like her. He could not see them anymore and so lifted his head higher above the nest. He could hear fluttering, but no voices. Suddenly, behind him, he heard: "What are you looking for, pretty boy?-

He turned around swiftly and came face to face with the three fairies. They were shining little beings and their wings fluttered like hummingbirds'. He stared at them silently, trying to contain his excitement. Finally, he said: "Can you teach me how to fly?"He didn't care if he sounded foolish. Flying was his heart's desire and surely if they could fly, they could teach him how. They laughed, as he knew they would, but he was dead serious. "You're too big-, said the first one. "You're a boy-, said the second. But the third one just looked at him.

"The sun is rising"cried the fairies at once, as they dissolved in the light. The boy rubbed his eyes: no one. Barney finally woke up, having seen nothing, heard nothing, said nothing. "You slept-, the boy reproached him. "Just a wink, just a wink,"replied the squirrel hurriedly. "Better get along. Don't want to keep the Master waiting."They started climbing down the oak. The boy stopped. "Why do we need to climb down? He is all around us. We don't need to stand at a special place to see or hear him. I am staying where I am.-

And he sat on a branch. Barney looked uneasy. He kept grooming his tail, unsure of how to convince the boy to move along. Mr Oak spoke: "Barney, do you mind leaving us alone?"The squirrel left in a hurry. Both Oak and Boy were quiet. The boy sighed. "Are you a man oak or a woman oak?-, he asked suddenly. Oak replied: "Neither or both, as you please. It's all the same, really. Why do you ask?"he inquired. "Well, Barney called you "Master-. I have been calling you Mister. I wanted to know what I should call you.-

Oak replied, "My Name is of no importance. I have been called ‘The Great One', ‘The Wise One', ‘Master'. If you call me Master in anger or Master in humility, it is not the same word. I do not hear the word but rather feel your intention."The rustling of the leaves was gentle. The boy let out a sigh of relief. "You are most reasonable, Mister Oak. I will not let trivial matters such as these trouble me anymore."Oak too was pleased. "I sense there is something troubling you. Does it have to do with this morning's visitors?-

"You saw them? I thought adults could not see fairies"exclaimed the boy. "They usually do not come near me.We have had our differences. I think they were curious to see you. You see, we haven't had a human in those parts for ages now, a child even less. The fairies cannot have children and very much wish they could. If you see them again, stay where you are, in the nest which is under my protection. Fairies are known to enchant and lure people away from their homes. Some are never again seen."Oak was serious - no rustling leaves.

The boy nodded his agreement. "If I keep eating acorns, will an oak grow inside of me?""No, said Oak, but you will develop certain qualities of resistance, strength and a peculiar sense of humour.""When will we sing again?""First, said the oak, you must learn to listen. Go by the brook and listen to the water flowing, the insects buzzing, the sun shining, the flowers growing and the birds singing.""Aye, aye, captain!,"cried the boy as he climbed down the tree and ran to the brook. He took off his shoes and jumped in the cool water.

"Ouch, cried the water. Be careful where you're stepping!""Did I hurt you?"asked the boy. "No, I am strong. But it's a bit early to be splashing about. I was half-asleep and I am afraid I am a bit grumpy when I wake up.""You are cool and fresh. It is a pleasure to be in your company,"said the boy graciously. Then he laughed: "Stop tickling me!"They played together for a while, the water scintillating, tickling, splashing about until the boy was tired and sat down. He just sat and listened, as Oak had asked him too.

There was too much to see: butterflies, insects and frogs, sun, water, flowers. He closed his eyes to shut out the distractions and concentrate his hearing. Soon enough he could distinguish, along the overpowering sound of the stream trickling and dancing, the laughter of the flowers, the drone of the frogs, the agitation of the insects. Listening harder still, he waited for this to fade to the background and the subtle notes of the light took hold and became stronger. He noticed a resonance within him, an alignment of sorts and felt himself becoming brilliant. The other sounds fuelled it.

Rocks took their places in the universe, as did dead and living things, skeletons and critters, dead branches and bees - and fairies! The day had passed and dusk was upon him. The third fairy was hovering over the boy who instantly became aware of her presence. Curiously, he could see around her a shimmering that he did not perceive last. At the same time, he remembered Oak's warning and knew he was without protection against her charms. He dared not open his eyes as he was afraid that just looking at the fairy would put him under her deadly spell.

Yet, how could he walk back to Oak with his eyes closed? He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. The fairy was staring back at him. She said, "Don't be scared."The boy kept mum and watched her. The edge of her wings were tinged with black but the rest was translucent. She was tiny yet perfectly formed and held a small wand. She too was watching him, both curious about each other. After some thought, the boy asked: "Are you from this area?"It sounded foolish, like a bad pickup line, but he had no other idea.

The fairy answered, "I am a lake fairy. During the day, I and my sisters live underwater. If you look closely in the water, you might catch a glimpse of us, though you may think it is only a reflection of the sun in the water. It is very beautiful down there. I have lots of friends and the alga is very soft. Life is easy. When the light dies out, we fly out and explore the skies and sometimes find strange animals like you."She smiled. "Today, I stayed in the shadowy parts of the river and watched you.-

The boy felt uneasy. He was guarded because of Oak's warning. "Are there children in your world?"Now it was the fairy who looked uneasy. She smiled a nasty smile: "Why of course. Lots of little friends for you. Boys and girls playing all day."The boy got to his feet and, without a word, started walking back to Oak. The fairy followed him. "Have I said something to offend you?"she asked in a sweet voice. The boy was humming the beautiful sounds he had captured this afternoon, creating a bubble of peace that shielded him from the fairy.

The fairy flew in his path, trying to block his way. The boy was scared of the wand and was trying to focus his thoughts away from it. He thought the best thing would be to keep quiet and get to Oak quickly. The fairy whispered in his ear: "Are you shy with girls?"He blushed and put his hands over his ears as he hurried on. Presently, the other fairies joined in the fun and started circling him and teasing him mercilessly. He knew enough not to pay attention to them and their words. This was a familiar situation.

One of the fairies let out a cry and fell to the ground. He stopped, unsure of what to do. She wasn't moving and the others were silent. He bent over and picked her up gently. He looked up to the others. "What is wrong with her?"he asked. She was quite light and not at all frightening. She moved her lips feebly. He brought her closer to his ear and heard: "A kiss wouldn't hurt."The fairies laughed heartily. He felt foolish for caring and his heart hardened. His fist clasped the small body as he strode towards Oak.

"What do you have there?"asked Oak. "It's a mean fairy!-, blurted out the boy. He proceeded to tell Oak about the whole thing. When he was done, he asked: "How shall we punish her?"Oak replied: "I will leave that up to you. But first, tell me, have you never bullied someone yourself?"The boy blushed. "You see-, continued Oak, "things don't just happen without a reason. If you do something good, good things will happen to you. If not,..."His voice trailed off. Quietly, the boy opened his hand, dusted off the fairy and softly blew her away.

"How was the river?"said Oak softly. A huge smile ran across the boy's face. "Brilliant! We talked and then I sat and listened and it was so beautiful..."He was glowing from the inside. "Can I do that with everything?""Absolutely. At a distance too. For example, earlier, you could have asked for my help. You think of me, think of what you want me to know. It's easier if you think in pictures, by the way. And then let go and wait for things to happen."The boy had fallen asleep, listening. It had been a long day.