As the bus speeds by on the highway I rest my head against the window. I stare out into the open fields scrolling by.

There isn’t much to see…until I see a tree.

It stands all alone, watching motorists drive by.

The tree is old and skinny; the lower branches are bare and rotted.
But the top of the tree is covered with vivid green leaves, softly reflecting the sun’s rays. It’s almost as if the tree is wearing a bright emerald crown, standing alone with great elegance.

I then notice the sea of green at the back of the fields.

Hundreds of trees stand side by side, looking at the royal tree from afar. Their leaves are a dull green and reflect no light.
I cannot pick out individual trees; they all smear into a green blur.

But in front of the blur the single tree stands close to the highway, greeting passers-by.

In five seconds the tree is gone from my sight.

I sit back and think to myself:

‘Will anyone else acknowledge the bravery and generosity of this tree?’