SEEDLING

Beside a lake among tall trees,
There was a seedling, barely seen.
Each day it longed to see the world,
A different place, a different scene

One day a father took his child
To see the forest by the lake.
The little girl began to plead:
"This is the tree I want to take."

She took it home with such delight
And placed it near the front door gate,
For all to see, both young and old,
For all to share the seedling's fate.

The tree grew tall as time went by,
So much to see, all day and night.
The tiny seedling, once so small,
Was now so grand, such regal sight!

Erwin Schalm