Once Upon a Time Ago
Once upon a time ago In a land that you all know In the forest yellowwood Far from your own neighborhood Lived some creatures in a tree Far away from you and me And all of them had great renown But none of them in your hometown They lived together crowned in glory I’ ll bet you never heard their story But now its time to tell it all Of all the things that I recall For if you listen to this tale Maybe good just might prevail! No matter if its false or true The ending might be up to you! From the time that it was born When it fell, the small acorn On the ground, before it grew Somehow inside the seedling knew Now free from bond on limber yoke It’ s free to grow a mighty oak! So towards the soil went the root Then towards the sunlight sent a shoot And as it grew, became a sprout It spread its leaves and branches out And with the power of the sun Oak’ s new life had just begun! … And so the sapling grew its branches In the wild full of chances Every season, hot or cold A struggle for the young and old When every year its leaves were shed The oak in winter went to bed … … But every year and in the spring The world becomes a wondrous thing! The winter quiet now is gone And everywhere a world of song! Oak would always like spring best But never yet had had a nest? … And then one day just passing by A young tree caught a young bird’ s eye … The cardinal said,“ I’ ve found the spot I’ ll bet the tree will let me squat and build my home and with my pride A nest prepared for my new bride!” The tree said,“ Oh, It’ s my delight! You’ ll like the view, how about my height?” And so the cardinals moved right in And Oak’ s adventures now begin For every spring throughout the year Their family brought the wild oak cheer
It loved the flutter of their wing To hear them in its branches sing! To shield them from a summer storm and keep their family safe and warm! … And other tenants hopped on board The ants, of course, came by the horde The butterfly would flutter by Giving each new leaf a try Tapping here and there a leg To find a spot to lay an egg And when she finally got it right She might even spend the night! The mighty oak was mighty proud At how it’ s limbs had drawn a crowd But Oak it really didn’ t know How large its family soon would grow For on its branches in its skin Other critters moved right in! The beetles hid from Mrs. Spider Till the hornets moved beside her … … She thought she’ d have a better chance Up higher on another branch … And as their stories all unfold Slowly Oak grew slowly old And as its mighty branches bent Many creatures came and went … It soon would laugh about the time A young bear met a porcupine Though it was larger in the duel The bear came out the bigger fool! Why even deer beneath were fed By all the seeds the big oak shed! … A squirrel family found a hole And in the daytime stood patrol And any gossip, made no matter They could hear those squirrels chatter And every creature knew right then The who and how and where and when! … The possum liked to hang around By its tail and upside down And spend a lazy afternoon With the oak and old raccoon And tell the oak about the tales That happen on the forest trails … And why each night they make the climb Because of all the peace of mind Knowing what the oak is worth When safely hid above the earth! … But even in its roots below Even there the homes would grow! All its roots for every mouse Became the routes throughout their house
And Oak could not remember when It didn’ t have a gopher den Tucked somewhere with lots of shade Protected by its forest glade … The oak said,“ Well, that must be it! There’ s no more creatures I can fit!” … Oh, but little did Oak know How big its family soon would grow … Now as the oak grew in the earth It grew in size, both height and girth And many critters of the air Began to build their homes up there! Spring brought robins and the dove Bluejays and the owl above And on the top upon the crown A regal eagle’ s nest was found! Many creatures big and small Lived on Oak as it grew tall A hummingbird two inches big Built its nest between a twig For many years a mother bear Had cubs inside a hollow there! Sleeping through the winter long Oak would listen to her song A lullaby to each new life She’ d nurture through its joys and strife And all of this without a word Every bit the big oak heard“ The joy,” said Oak,” is truly mine That as I’ ve grown and over time That many creatures God has made Lived their lives beneath my shade And every life that I have known Has proudly called my branches home!” … And several hundred years went by Spreading leaves beneath the sky And every season, every year The oak lived life with little fear … … But then one day there came a man Who when he surveyed tree and land Said,“ With that oak it all makes sense! I’ ve just found my house and fence! … And when he cut the big oak down Those homes were shattered to the ground But now he has his house of wood Where once the mighty oak had stood And warm inside he piled higher The oak upon his growing fire … So now you know it’ s understood They’ ll do this to your yellowwood Unless by change your helping hand Will save your creatures and your land!
— John Wm. Sisson