Battle scars

There is a tree in the playground that is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, it's not a particulalry attractive tree - I'm not even sure what kind of tree it is ....... Note to self - find out today!! ...... it's simply that the tree is loved by the children so much it has become beautiful.

They stretch their arms around the trunk and hold hands, they use it as "home" when playing "it", they sit under it on hot days - making the most of the shade of it's branches. They pick the bark off and marvel at the shapes, colour and texture of the bark and what they have revealed. On different days for different children the tree has been a hospital, an oasis, the kitchen, the controls of a space shuttle, a desert island, Robin Hood's secret HQ and other places that only a child's imagination can take you. Of course the tree has battle scars - but it wears them with pride!