"I'm so much bigger than I used to be," Tree, sobbing, said to itself. "No one will be able to recognize me this summer, and my Christmas lights won't fit."
Bird landed on Tree's branch, its weight supported by the strong fiber. The branch shaking, Bird turned to Tree, noticing its distress.
"What's wrong Tree?" Bird said. Tree stayed silent, embarrassed.
"I'm just so...different than I used to be. I don't like it. I don't know what to do."
Bird looked at his friend, longing to wrap Tree up with a bow to show her how much she is loved. That kind of thing would be difficult to do as a small sparrow. Tree had grown so much taller this season, the ends of its branches soft and light. Like Christmas lights, the new growth brightened Tree, making her dynamic and new. Bird had seen this happen before: the new growth would mature and fade, soon matching the darker hue, making room for the next season's growth.
"We're not supposed to stay the same, Tree."
