DEEP WITHIN THE WOODLANDS of North America stood a giant red oak with brawny branches clothed in deep-purple red leaves. The only oak among the many birch, spruce and maples made her stand out like a big sore thumb!
            She was a wildly happy tree, for her branches were home to many of God's woodland creatures.  Day after day birds came by to bounce on her boughs and form an orchestra of sweet songs.  Hidden amongst her foliage squirrels and chipmunks played their usual hide-and-seek while busy insects robbed sap from her trunk.  Most days a family of opossums would claim a branch, wrap their bare tails around it, and hang upside-down, sleeping contentedly until nightfall.
            Because the red oak received most of the attention, the other trees in the sanctuary were jealous of her.  When they thought she wasn't listening, they said things like, "Humph!  That tree thinks she's special just because birds perch on her branches and sing, sing, sing, all day long."... 
            And, "Who does she think she is anyway?"... 
            Some even said, "I hate that tree!"... 
            Others made no secret that they hoped she would wither and die!
            The oak tree stood tall against the sky, delighting in the love songs of the sparrows -- pretending not to hear their cruel remarks.
            One frozen winter day a blue jay came by and landed on one of the oak's boughs.  For no good reason he let out a series of squawks to frighten away the sparrows. 
            "Why did you do that?" complained the oak, and rightly so.
            "Why shouldn't I? the bird replied with no apology.
            "You frightened my friends the sparrows away, that's why!"
            "I know, I know," said the bird.  "They always leave when I show up. . .the silly cowards!"
            Surprised, she said, "Cowards?"
            "Cowards!" he repeated loudly.  "Take the acorns out of your ears!"
            She paid no attention to his rude retort.  "Are you saying you think they're afraid of you?"
            "Yup," he said smugly.  "I think they're afraid of me. . .the silly cowards," he repeated under his breath.
            "The way you squawked just now, is it any wonder they're afraid of you?"
            "It's a free country!" screeched the cranky jaybird.  "I can do as I please, and it pleases me to squawk!"
            The tree had never met such a mean-spirited bird.  So selfish.  So annoying!  To show her disapproval, she began to wave her branches, trying to pry him loose.
            "Hey!  I'm losing my footing here!" he scolded.  Suddenly he lifted into the air and hovered above her.  "You did that on purpose!" he hollered at the top of his lungs.
            Wanting the pesky bird to leave, the old oak shook her branches more vigorously.  It worked. A few seconds later the bird was gone.