One beautiful spring day, Ruby Robin and Rosy Squirrel decided it was time to find a

new home. They took a walk together through the woods, past a field of lovely yellow

flowers to a tree near the creek. Along the way, Ruby and Rosy discussed how they

needed more space now their families had grown and how they needed a place that

would be safe for their babies to play and they wouldn’t have to go far for food.

They also agreed on having a place with a beautiful view.

Ruby and Rosy stopped at a large oak tree near the bank of the creek. It was tall

with large, strong branches and a tree hollow just the right size for a family of

squirrels. The view was beautiful in all directions. Ruby and Rosy stopped and

looked at the tree and said how useless the tree could be.

The oak tree heard them while they were climbing the tree and said it provides

protection to all who live among his mighty branches so far from the ground. The oak

tree also told them that it provides shade from summer’s scorching sun and cover

from the rain. Its hollows provide warmth and protection from fall and winter’s cold

winds and snow. It provides food with its acorns and worms in the ground near its

roots. The tree asked Rosy and Ruby what more can you thankless creatures ask for?

The oak tree was mad by now and it shook its great limbs and almost knocked Ruby and

Rosy from the tree. The oak tree sent them away.

Ruby and Rosy thought about what they said and what the tree told them and they went

back and told the oak tree they were sorry for calling it useless. The oak tree

forgave them and reminded Ruby and Rosy that every living thing has a purpose and is

worth more than gold.