Ki
Sidney Barger
In his earliest memories, he was a small sapling soaking up sunshine, surrounded by daisies. It wasn’t until he started developing his dark brown bark that he realized he was not one of the flowers. He couldn't help becoming preoccupied with where he came from.
After many years of observing the nature around him he assumed a bird must have carried his seed to this place.
“Only a bird could have carried me so far away from any creature like myself,” he thought.
With each passing year he grew taller, and with every inch he hoped he might be able to see another giant oak growing in the distance.
Over the centuries, his preoccupation moved to a space at the back of his mind, present yet forgotten. He continued to grow and stretch his roots throughout the earth. From his roots, a forest grew, like a giant green blanket spread across the land. Soon other creatures began to move in. He learned the calls of the birds and the names of the squirrels. These creatures became his family, and he was their home.
One day he could hear the squirrels chattering more than normal, so he turned his ear toward them to see what all the commotion was about.
“I’m telling the truth!” a rather large squirrel named Earl exclaimed. “She was walking on two legs.” As he said this, he stood up on his hind legs and took a few clumsy steps forward before falling onto his face.
“No way,” the other squirrels said.
“Where did you see her, Earl?” a particularly inquisitive squirrel asked.
“Right near the edge of the forest. She was singing one of the prettiest songs I’ve ever heard. She puts the robins to shame, if you ask me.”
“Well, if you ask me, you’ve been enjoying too many fermented acorns. You should really dig them up before they start to smell,” another squirrel remarked.
This was peculiar news indeed. The Oak had never heard of a two-legged creature walking around his forest. Scanning the borders of his land, he listened for the music. Then, he heard her. Her voice traveled up to his leaves carrying what was indeed a lovely tune.
​Where the giant oaks grow.
You will always know.
Their heads grow tall as they grow old.
A blanket for the earth and a comfort from the cold.
You’ll always have a home where the giant oaks grow.
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The Oak was shocked by the words in the song. There were more of him!
“Hello there,” the Oak said.
“Well hello,” the girl replied.
“You sing about giant oaks. Have you seen one?”
“Well there is one in front of me right now,” she said with a grin. “But if you mean to ask if I’ve ever seen any other giant oaks, the answer is yes.”
“Could you tell me about them? I’ve never seen another of my kind.” His eyes grew wide with anticipation.
“Actually, I can. After all, your mother did send me to find you,” she said.
“My mother?” the tree asked.
“Yes,” she said, smiling again while lowering herself into a comfortable cross-legged position on the ground, “Where to begin… I’ve lived in your mother’s forest my whole life. Her canopy is my home. Actually, the Giant Oak Forest has been a home to my family as long as we can remember.” She continued the story with her eyes closed, picturing the home she had traveled so far from. “Beyond your mother's borders to the east lives her father, and beyond that lives her grandmother, and so on. The further to the east you travel, the older the forest grows.”
“How many forests are there?” he asked.
“Your mother is the hundredth Oak in the line making you the hundred and first oak in the Giant Oak lineage. You must understand that giant oaks can only produce one offspring in their lifetime, and one day you will produce a seed of your own.”
“If the forest has been continuously connected for a hundred generations, how did I end up out here all alone?” he asked.
“Ah yes…” she said, thinking of how lonely the oak must have been. “Your mother was extremely happy when she was blessed with you as a seed. Everyone in the forest rejoiced and celebrated this rare occurrence, but on the night before your planting you disappeared. My great great grandmother was keeping watch outside your room that night, and she swears she saw the Great Crow flying out of the seedling chamber. It’s said that the Great Crow was trying to steal you, so he could plant a forest for his kin across the ocean.”
“A bird… I knew it.” the oak mumbled.
“Alas, you were gone, and my people had no idea where you might have ended up. Ever since, your mother sends us out looking for you, desperately longing for news of her only offspring. She continues to provide us a home, and in return we help her search for you.”
“How far is my mother from here?”
“Quite far. It would take two giant oak forests to bridge the gap between you and your mother. But, the good news is, the Great Crow dropped you before crossing the ocean,” she said empathetically.
“What was the plan for when I was found?” the oak asked.
“Assuming we found you on this side of the ocean, the plan was to point you in the direction of your mother so that your offspring might grow towards home. One day your grandchild will connect your forest back with your mother.” As she finished, she stood back to her feet. “If you don’t mind I would like to stay in your forest for a while. It’s been a long journey to get here, and I would appreciate the break before taking the good news home.”
“You’re welcome to stay and rest. I’d love to hear more about my mother and all the other Giant Oaks. By the way, what is your name?” the Oak asked.
“My name is Arina. Would you like to know yours?” she replied.
“I have a name?” The thought of a name had never occurred to him before. All the creatures in the forest called him Oak; he was the only Oak around after all.
“Of course you do. Your mother named you Ki.”
“Nice to meet you, Arina. My name is Ki,” he said, smiling.
