Seedling

Tucked deep within loamy, moist soil a seed began to germinate.  Roots pushed out searching for sustenance.  The tiniest of seedlings wove and twisted, dancing towards the sunlight.  The sun shone down and it grew.  Summer followed spring and soon the seedling spread it's arms joyously to the light; progressing from seedling to sapling.  In that first autumn, with all it's energies, the sapling bore it's first precious fruits; small and few but full of future hope.  Winter brought the long, cold days and the sapling rested.  The days passed and the seasons chased after one another endlessly.  The sapling grew and grew; skin hardening and branches spreading.  It became a home for other forms off life and in return these sheltered lives protected it from harm.  Generations upon generation lived in roots, on it's bark, in it's branches; strengthening it as grew old, surrounded by it's children.  The last sigh was that of happiness; knowing it had lived it's time to the full.