Forest Storm

There was a tree in a faraway forest that knew just a little more than those around it. As it grew, it became aware of the winds in its leaves, and the squirrels on its branches. It felt pain when the caterpillars feasted and happiness when the hatchlings hatched.

The area was particularly known to have harsh weather. The odd storm passed through, but nothing too severe, nothing that everyone couldn't hold on for.

One day, a freak storm rolled through. It lasted hours.

The tree felt the electricity pound the ground; it felt the tinglings of it find its way up the tree's roots. The sensation wasn't pleasant. The tree felt pain as trees who’s roots it twined around were ripped from the ground. It felt the bird's nest fall from the tree and the eggs get crushed at its base.

When the storm passed, the tree sent out its feelings. Few older trees had survived. Few nests had survived. The butterflies, new from their cocoons had been pounded into the ground with the rain

The tree knew it could sway itself. It had lost all hope and was about to toss itself to the ground, when it suddenly felt something. Several somethings, in fact.

On its surface roots, it felt the tendrils of young roots, tiny roots, the roots of saplings wrapped around his roots. If it uprooted itself, that new life would be lost. It was worth it to stay and watch that new life thrive.