The tree that blushed....

Once upon a time, way back on the tree plantation, many years ago, stood little Bertrum Balsam. All his friends called him Bertie but others called him 'Trum'pet Ears. His mother said not to worry with the name calling because she knew he would grow up to be one of the most elite trees ever to grow on the plantation. She just knew it.

Years went by. He grew and grew and grew and grew. Taller and taller with each passing year. He didn't get 'Trumpet Ears' anymore. He had become a well respected Balsam by then and they now called him simply 'Bert'. He liked it. It suited him. It was a strong name, a name that he was proud of. Bert Balsam. It even sounded good to him.

As the years went by, plantation owners each season would come and stop by Bert's lower branches, get up on a ladder and come and give him a trim. He had a few branches that were a bit out of place but after the cut, he felt like a new tree. He liked being trimmed too. It gave him a new outlook on life and he would remember his mother telling him that "one year Bertie, you will be cut down and taken out of the plantation. You will be wrapped up and shipped to another part of the country where you will be treated like a king. People will come and look at you and say "we want THAT tree....that Balsam Fir. It looks like it will be perfect for the middle of our building!"

And sure enough, this was the year they came and cut Bert down. He knew his purpose for growing straight and strong was now going to be fulfilled. He was excited. He couldn't wait to leave for his special place and be everything to these people, like his mother wanted him to be.

He was cut down. He was wrapped up. He was carefully placed on a huge truck. He heard them say he was off to a place called Prince Albert.....and he finally arrived. Just as his mother had said, people came and pointed to Bert with expressions of wonder..."we want THAT tree. "

Away went Bert to his new home....the last home he would ever have. It was okay though. He knew this was his reason for growing so beautifully all these years. He would give everything he had to these people and enjoy his new surroundings, even for his few short weeks that remained in his life.

Men came and picked him up, and in came Bert. They treated him royally. People stood everywhere watching him enter the building. Up they pushed him and into his "stand". The men got him standing perfectly straight. At 17 feet it was hard for these little fellows to hold him upright but as the stand was fastened to Bert's strong trunk it became more and more evident that it was all going to be good. They let him go to stand alone.......and there he stood, still bound, but standing tall. Next came the water to feed him. He drank and drank and drank still more water. Bert could feel his branches beginning to relax from the cold trip he had experienced and over the next several hours he fell asleep.

Morning dawned. He needed to stretch. Someone came by and cut all the ropes that had bound him securely all night. Ohhhhhhhh that felt soooooo gooooooood. His branches fell into place. He was perfect. He was the loveliest of trees and all those who entered the building stood and gazed at him with delight and awe. He was feeling good about himself and was waiting for the final part of his journey - being decorated.

People came. They had boxes. Before Bert new what had happened, he stood with glittering lights all over him. They were small little lights it seemed and somehow didn't do Bert justice. He was 17 feet tall after all. But on the lights went.....string after string....around and around until his branches were covered with dancing colors.

He thought that this was it. He kind of liked his lights. He could see himself reflected in the windows. But what happened next horrified Bert, beyond anything else that could ever have happened. Out from the boxes came gold ribbon and one enormous gold bow that looked like an overstuffed wig from the '70's. They weren't going to fling that on him were they!

Before Bert had a chance to run, or hide or drop his needles, the ladder brushed close to him and on went the long rows of gold ribbon. He felt like some kind of hideous Christmas present. He gazed up and into the window above, seeing his cousin all decked out in lovely beads and colored balls and tinsel. Where were his? Did he grow all these years just for this?? Bert began to cry. His mother said he shouldn't do that when he had his lights on as it may cause a short and electrocute him, but at this point, Bert just didn't care. He'd had enough......or had he? No. No. Nooooooo...not the blond wig. THEY'RE PUTTING THAT UGLY GOLD BOW ON MY HEAD!!! I must be dreaming. This can't be happening. Mother said it would be so different than this.

Plop. The deed was done. The bow perched on his head like a huge muffin, all fluffed out and very gold. He heard that angels were put on top of trees like him, or at least lovely stars but he had to get a big fat bow. How degrading. How low. How horribly wretched.

Bert was so sad and hurt and embarrassed, he simply blushed. He didn't think Balsam Firs blushed, but he did. There he stood. He had nowhere to go. He wanted his last place to be so special and now, he was looked at by passersby with disdain and snickers and pointed fingers.

Maybe people would see underneath, see the real Bert....the Bert that had grown for many years and had withstood disease and cold and drought and wind. Maybe they would look at his lovely green branches and not notice the wretched things they had placed on him. All he could do was hope.

He began to not think of his decorations, but of himself, the Bert of the plantation, the Bert Balsam who was destined for greatness. His branches spread a bit further. His confidence began to return. He could remember his mother saying it really didn't matter what others do to you or say about you, it's what's inside of you that really counts. Bert remembered it all.

And as he spread his branches even further he heard a "click"...."click"......"click".....a lady was taking his picture.

"Someone must think I'm beautiful", thought Bert, as he stood tall and proud. And then he knew it to be true, as he heard her say to herself......"That tree is one of the loveliest trees I've ever seen!"

And I really meant it, Bert.