The bird was injured and alone
His wings no more could fly
He sat unmoving on the ground
Still yearning for the sky
For days he sat in dreadful fear
And nighttime brought no sleep
He thought it best to make no sound
Lest hungry things should creep
But then one day he'd had enough
This was no way to be
With none in view to ask for help
He shouted to the trees
To his surprise an answer came
A voice so green with mirth
"Come here to me, you wounded bird
I am your friend the birch"
With branches waving like a prayer
And bark so white and pale
The tree did give him time to rest
Leaves hid him like a veil
Her roots dug deep into the earth
And timeless was her soul
They talked of God and wondrous things
And nature's gifts extolled
But then one day the birch tree said
"Time's wheel I must obey
The snow will come, my leaves will fly
But I'll be back one day"
The bird was healing but still hurt
Some wounds are very deep
But then a voice came on the wind
"I'll hold him while you sleep"
"I am the sister of the birch"
A sturdy voice then spoke
"Snow has no power o'er my leaves
For I am the live oak"
And so the bird took shelter there
As winter winds did blow
Yet nothing swayed this mighty tree
And friendship then did grow
And in the spring the birch came back
Just like she said she would
The bird grew stronger every day --
With two such friends, he should!
One tree gives joy and gaiety
One tree her strength she shares
And both trees give this healing bird
Their wisdom, love and care
