“Don’t be so ungrateful,” rustled the tree in reply. “I am being extremely useful to you at this very moment, shielding you from the hot sun. And you call me a good-for-nothing!”
The travelers and the plane tree of Aesop's Fables.
Our ancient ancestors marked places that needed to be respected such as the graves of their leaders in various struggles and battles by constructing a structure that fenced off the graves from all directions. It was intended that the last trace of their presence and heroism would not be damaged, vanished or ignored.
In such places, perhaps, initially or some time thereafter only a few small trees grew, or even just the seeds that the birds threw. After a long period of time, and generations changing, that place that was kept and respected was never again approached and cleaned. In that long time, the trees grew bigger. It's getting bigger and bigger after the people of the next generation are getting further and further away from the place.
In silence, slowly, and never conspicuously, by their roots the trees take up and embrace the revered placemark structure. Every day they embraced more and more, as if to say, "Let them be a part of us. Let us keep the memory of them. Let us shade with our groves of leaves this honorable place."
I was amazed!
