The Arbor Clan and The Ancient Tree
Written by Maura
I am a tree.
I just happen to be the same tree
that has hung over this same ancient pool of water
for over a thousand years of time in passing
I am the same tree in which the Arbor clan of meerkats
have stored their nuts and berries
and raised their young.
I provide shelter
and
storage,
room for food, water, and a place for all to sleep soundly.
This pool makes me whole.
And I, mightier than all,
shall never taste soil
upon my branches .
But, knock on wood...
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Adelie woke up with the sound of the midnight breeze ringing in her ears. The wind had whispered eerie songs of past fallen branches all through the dark night. She hastily looked out the window, her breath creating mist on the cold glass. A shock arose, a triumph proven wrong, for just the day before she had heard the tree's song. The branches of the tree now lay in the mud at the bottom of the pool.
A glimmer multiplied by a thousand caught her eye, and out from under the many upturned roots came a mob of meerkats. Adelie looked closer to see that each meerkat had a tiny sack hung on a twig over one shoulder. Half the meerkats were wearing tiny vests, each a different color. The other half wore shawls. The older ones wore babushkas. Adelie rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't still dreaming. She looked back, and the meerkats still had on their accessories. Adelie pulled off her night dress, put on clean clothes and a jacket, but she couldn't find her boots.
“Where are you going my little friends?” Adelie yelled, running to catch up.
“We are off in search of a new home, for our tree has toppled,” said an old looking meerkat in a red vest.
“Wait, maybe I can help. We could clear the old tree and plant a new tree in its place,” Adelie suggested.
“And where will we live for the many years it takes to grow?” asked the elderly red vested meerkat. The mob had stopped to hear the argument.
“You will live with me. I have plenty of room,” Adelie said. The rest of the elders formed a huddle to discuss thoughts on the matter.
“The elders of the Arbor clan of meerkats have agreed to accept your offer but are questioned as to how we are to move the tree,” said the red vested meerkat. Adelie was delighted!
“Alright, we will need rope, a hook, and my tractor,” said Adelie.
“Alright, climb on up,” Adelie said to the meerkats. The meerkats climbed onto the tractor. Adelie switched the lever, and they all rode to the fallen tree.
“We will need the slick and slimmest of you lot,” said Adelie. A long slim meerkat stepped up.
“Take this rope in your mouth and slide under the tree,” said Adelie. She handed him the rope. They all met him on the other side of the tree. Adelie took the rope and hooked it to the tractor on the other side of the tree. They climbed back onto the tractor and began to pull at the tree.
After about an hour they had managed to move most of the tree to the lumber pile. Adelie and the mob of meerkats were just about to plant a new seed, when out of the water of the small pool grew a tree sapling. The sapling planted itself, and all was calm.
“Well, saves us the seed,” said Adelie, and they all went to Adelie's house for the night.
In the morning the all awoke and looked out the window to see, in the place of the fallen tree, a new handsome oak standing taller and wider than the last. They all rushed outside to gaze upon the new tree's many branches. Many shouts of “It’s a miracle!” filled the air alongside the smell of new tree and the sight of celebration.
After a picnic lunch, Adelie helped many of them move in. The hollow was so big that if the doorway had been bigger Adelie could have easily fit inside.
For the next few weeks, Adelie helped the meerkats pick seeds and berries. For the rest of their lives, Adelie and the meerkats were friends that could depend upon one another.
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