The Tale of the Cotton Tree

The Origin of Cotton Trees

***

Years later, a dark cloud happened to fly across this grassland. It saw a peculiar sight. A lone tree stood tall, surrounded by miles of grass. The tree would flower red, five-petal flowers (in memory of that very first flower), and its seeds would be enclosed in fluffs of cotton. During early summer each year, the seeds would float in little clouds on cotton, riding on the wind. The little clouds with black seed hearts would populate the sky and fly and wander until they chanced on their new home.

So they, and their descendants, have wandered to this day, just like their great grandmother did once upon a time."

"And that's how cotton trees came to be." The girl concluded.

I smiled. "You've told a nice story."

"It's what I do --- collect and tell nice stories," she said. "If you don't mind, it seems to be time for me to wander home." Standing up, stretching, she was soon on her way down the other side of the street.

I looked up. The sun rays were retreating to the horizon. Little white puffs soared to their destination, far, far away.

"Hope these seeds find their new home soon."