If a Tree Falls in the Forest

 

Weathered tree stump on Meewasin trail, Saskatoon, 2021.

In grade four, our teacher brought to school a tree log with a cross-section of distinct rings. We learned to determine its age by counting the rings. So cool! Wider rings indicated whether the tree had plenty of light and rain that year. A narrow ring was a poor growth year -- possibly a drought. Every time I see a tree stump, I think of how deep its roots reach into the earth and likewise, how deeply some of our lessons are planted.

In high school, our math and science teacher, Mr. Butel, was always testing us with his jokes, riddles and logic puzzles. He asked, "if a tree falls in the forest, and there is no one there to hear, does it make a sound?" It made me wonder. I've since learned that these paradoxical riddles are called koans and were used for centuries as teaching tools by zen masters. 

There is much to learn about the importance of trees to our planet, but I'll leave that to another time, or Bruce Cockburn to pass along! I salute all the fantastic teachers and students heading back to class and wish you a healthy growth year.