Colder Than a….

A little boy goes for a walk in subzero temperatures

With his gloved hand the little boy held onto Mother’s hand as they walked through the snow. The little boy was shivering from the cold despite the many layers of clothing he was wearing. He desperately wanted to go home.

They stopped walking for a moment and looked out across the snowy pasture that was before them. Looking at the few trees that protruded from the sea of snow, the little boy asked Mother, “When people get cold we put on more clothes. But when trees get cold they drop their clothes and stand naked. I think trees have it backwards.”

Mother laughed, “Maybe it is people who have it backwards.”

Wiping his nose with his glove, the boy answered, “But if we got naked in this horrible cold we would surely freeze to death.”

“Yes, little boy, you certainly would. But look at those trees and tell me what they have that you don’t have.”

“They have branches.”

“Yes, but you have branches, too. Aren’t your arms and legs like branches?”

“I guess.” The little boy thought long and hard. Finally, he said, “They have roots!”

Mother smiled, “Yes, they have roots.”

As the boy stared at the trees he imagined roots growing out from the bottom of his feet digging deep into the earth. He felt them growing and digging deeper and deeper until they reached far underground where it was much warmer than above ground. For just a brief moment he suddenly felt warmer.

“Come on little boy. Let’s go. I’ve got to get you home to your parents and family before you freeze to death in this arctic cold…. or before your roots keep you imprisoned to this spot. We don’t have further to go. You’ll be home soon.”

Though he could barely feel his feet and his legs, the little boy continued walking as he stared at those trees with a smile on his face. He was glad that he had the Mother to lead him back home to his family and the warmth of his home.

Copyright by White Feather. All Rights Reserved.