In the middle of a wide-open field,
Stands a tall and sturdy Oak
Taller than any house I’ve seen"
"much taller than me" Lacey jokes
As each Autumn follows Summer
The leaves fall from every branch
Spring arrives, they all regrow
As warmer weathers advance
This Spring was very different
Lacey Dog felt somewhat dismayed
"There's no leaves on your branches yet,"
"Let us hope they are just delayed,"
The Oak folded her branches
Showed no care nor any worry
"I will grow my leaves when I want," She said
"I'm not in any great hurry."
Nobody ever cares whether
I grow my leaves or not,
So I'll grow them when I'm ready,
"Maybe this year, then maybe not."
"Beautiful green leaves," Said Lacey
"Is something everyone adores,
Let me tell you why I think it matters
You may just change your mind once more."
"Okay," Said the Oaktree,
"That sounds like a good scheme to me,
Tell me why having leaves,
Is good for everyone and me."
"Firstly think about the insects
So many live among your leaves
Caterpillars and Butterflies
The Ladybirds, Spiders, and Bees"
"Leaves give them nourishment
Shelters them also from the rain
It's safe to raise their babies too
Who then feeds on your leaves again"
"Starlings, Jays and Thrushes,
Your trunk is a Woodpeckers home,
Red Robins, Warblers and Sparrows,
A Tawny Owl perched all alone"
Twig nests with eggs fill your branches
Some nest high in your canopy
Eating nasty creepy crawlies,
That could harm you actually"
"Guests include a red furry fox
A small deer, a mouse and a rat
Squirrels run across the branches
Disturb a hanging sleeping bat."
"Young boys and girls climb way up high,
To the top branches of the tree,
They pretend they're superheroes
Maybe a naughty chimpanzee,"
“Hiding in your thick green cover
Imagine being Robin Hood
Children kick their football around,
Or swing on a seat made of wood”
"On the grass is spread a blanket
Summertime family picnic,
Egg sandwiches and fancy cakes
Orange squash and chocky biscuits"
"Sheltered from the heat of the day
They sit in the cool of your shade
Sitting out of the noonday sun
In the shadow, your leaves have made"
"Leaves don't just offer sunny shade
They can give shelter from the rain
But there'll be no shade or shelter
If, you don't grow your leaves again"
"So my friendly leafless Oaktree
Wildlife trusts you to be their home
Without your leaves, they cannot stay,
You may find yourself all alone."
"Say goodbye to Robin Redbreast,
To those caterpillars that crawl
To the jumpy, jumpy squirrels
And happy children playing ball"
"Say goodbye to the families
That picnic cool beneath your bough
Say goodbye to the Butterflies
And to the resting spotted cow"
Finally, Oaktree understood
She hung her head down in sorrow
Lacey dog said "I've got to go
I'll see you again tomorrow."
The Oaktree thought so long and hard
She thought throughout the night
She wouldn't let anybody down
She had to put things right
Next day when Lacey dog returned
She saw such a marvellous sight
Green leaves on the tall mighty Oak
Had all freshly grown overnight.
Through the Summer the green Oaktree
Played happy host to everyone
Birds, and Bees and the Butterflies
And little children having fun.
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