The Chinaberry Tree copyright 2005 Once upon a time, in a land far away to the east, and in a time long past, there lived a young goat; a kid, as young goats are called, and this kid had an affinity for chinaberries. Yet, as it happened, there were no chinaberry trees where the kid lived, and so it decided to go in search of one so that it might have all of the chinaberries it could ever want.

The kid searched far and wide, in many forests and thickets, but no chinaberry tree could be found.

Many moons passed and many a barren quest went with them, and the young goat became discouraged. “There must surely be one chinaberry tree somewhere in this vast realm.”

It came to pass that the kid heard of a spot over the hills where many trees grew. It was a perilous trek into uncharted territory where few had wandered before, but the kid was eager to see this place ... just to see if it held a chinaberry tree which the kid could bring home to plant. It packed the few things it would need and set out on the journey which would take it to the forest over the hills, and perhaps to the end of the search.

However, the young goat soon realized, after a brief time on the trail, that it would have been better to have a map. The path had become rocky and treacherous ... still the kid pressed onward ... hoping to find a smoother route ahead. The small goat continued on the path, stumbling here and there on rocks and potholes, until it finally came to an area that looked liked a good place to rest.

The goat sat down and was pondering the situation when it felt a tap on its shoulder. “Hey, kid! Whatcha doin’?” The kid looked around and saw a curious cat. Albeit strange, the cat was sleek and jaunty with long whiskers and a robust voice.

The kid replied, “I’m on my way to the land of many trees which lies beyond these hills. I’ve heard that I may find a chinaberry tree there.”

“Ah yes”, said the cat, “I know the place. I’ve been there many times. Would you like for me to show you the way?”

The kid was very relieved to have met someone who knew the way to the forest. “Yes, I would be glad for you to show me the way, as I could sorely use the company. This path has been more difficult than I imagined and I am growing weary.”

So the cat joined the young goat and the two went along the path until they came to a clearing by a small stream. On the other side of the stream stood the forest. Just as the kid had heard, the forest was one of many trees. It stretched as far as the kid could see and the trees were so thick that they seemed to all meld together into one blob of greenery, but as the goat and the cat got closer, it became clear that the trees were all different.

The cat quickly climbed a large, sturdy oak and began to survey the area. “Hey, kid! This is a really good tree. It’s tall and vigorous, and will turn a bright, cheery color come fall. It will live for ages and give you much contentment.” But the kid had already spied a distinct sapling at the edge of the thicket.

“No, thank you, cat. I have found what I came for. Look here!”

The cat climbed down from its perch on the limb of the mighty oak, and sauntered over to where the goat was busily digging. The cat peered between the kid’s ears and saw the skinny sprout of a chinaberry tree which the goat was carefully unearthing.

“What do you want THAT thing for?”, said the cat. “It is such a puny looking tree, and besides, everybody knows that chinaberry trees are mere weeds. They are short-lived, with weak wood, and the fruit is worthless as food. You should take this hardy oak I have shown you. It will serve you far better.”

The young goat continued digging, heedless of the cat’s advice. “Hey, kid! You are a most stubborn goat! Just what do you see in that chinaberry tree?”

The kid thought for a moment and said, “This tree will grow fast and produce many berries, and while some find its fruit distasteful, I find it to have a unique flavor. And see the leaves, cat? They are like fine lace with the luster of satin, and they are tinted one of the richest shades of green in all of nature. The spring blooms have a delicate fragrance that wafts in the warm breeze to the delight of a young goat’s nostrils, and this tree will furnish excellent shade from the summer sun.”

The cat could not understand the kid’s fascination with the chinaberry tree, but the curious cat was not one to bother with a puzzlement for long and went off to scale a giant redwood.

At last, after much digging, the kid freed the small chinaberry tree from the earth. The young goat carefully placed the delicate sapling into a bag and went to see what the cat was up to.

“Hey, kid! I can see for miles and miles from the top of THIS tree! I can see everything under the sun. I am sure that you have made the wrong choice in choosing the chinaberry tree. This redwood would serve you far better.”

“Come down from that lofty branch, cat”, said the kid. “It is getting late and we must be on our way before dark.”

The cat alit from the redwood and joined the goat. “Hey, kid! What’s the rush?”

“I need to get the chinaberry home quickly”, said the kid, “as it is a fragile thing and will take much care to grow strong.”

“But, kid... we are far from where you live, and I fear that the tree will not make it that distance.”

“Oh no, friend cat ... I have waited so very long for this tree! What shall I do?”

The cat and the kid thought and thought ... pondered and mulled. Finally the cat said, “Hey, kid! I know a place! There’s a small town just over the next hill. I hear it’s a quaint town, a folksy town. I hear there’s an odd bird who lives in this town, and this bird has no roost.”

So the kid and the cat set off carrying the sprout of the chinaberry tree between them. They reached the crest of the hill and made their way down the slope. They came to a sign that said, “Brisbee ... 2 miles”. They reached the center of town just as the sun was inching down toward the horizon, and there they found the perfect spot for the tree.

Many moons passed, and many a yarn went with them, and the kid’s chinaberry tree grew tall ... taller than any chinaberry had ever grown before ... with its branches spreading wide over the town square. Many a kid played around the tree, and many a cat frolicked on its boughs, and all agreed that it was the finest chinaberry tree that they had ever seen. The town’s eccentric bird built a nest at the very top of the chinaberry from where it could not be seen, but could still be heard squawking throughout the entire local squawking season.

As for the kid and the cat, they took up residence near the town square where they could tend the chinaberry, and the two peculiar companions, along with the rest of the Brisbee populace, savored the fruits of the fine Brisbee Chinaberry Tree from dawn ‘til dusk for all the rest of their days.