If Trees Could Talk .......
Hi there – I am a mighty Oak tree. I stand proud and tall in O’
Connell Street, the widest street in our capital city – Dublin. I
stand just outside the GPO. I am over a century old and I have
lots of stories to tell. My boughs stretch high and wide. In the
past, on very quiet days, birds and small animals would rest
peacefully in my branches. But, nowadays, only the odd bird
stops by.
My greatest story is of The Easter Rising of 1916. It took place
on Easter Monday 1916. The IRB were very determined to get
freedom from the British. I saw lots of people gather along the
streets. People were hiding inside the GPO. Then suddenly, a
bomb was fired into the GPO. All the people inside were killed.
The windows were shattered. I really did not want to look but I
had no choice. The Rising ended five days later. Later that
week British troops arrived.
I was glad the Rising was over – I had experienced something
horrible. Over the years there have been many changes. I have
seen the arrival of the Luas, the Spire and an increase in the
number of shops and traffic. I think I prefer the city now than in
1916.
Now I am close to retirement, I think I will take it easy and enjoy
the changing seasons. I hope to see more people walking down
O’ Connell Street. I like to see the young saplings, recently
planted down the centre of O’ Connell Street. The young
saplings look up to me and make me very proud.
Life as an Oak tree has been very exciting.
By Amelia Shaw.
If Trees Could Talk .......
I live in the school grounds and I am an awesome Ash tree. I
am three score years and ten. I stand tall and proud. My
boughs stretch majestically, east and west.
St. Mary’s N.S. was built in 1961. I hear lots of stuff – even
things that I shouldn’t hear. I hear lots of kids playing outside in
the yard. Lots of birds come and go. I hear neighbouring dogs
barking. Animals rest in my branches. On nice warm days the
teachers bring the pupils out to have picnics around me and
sometimes small children fall over my roots. Mr. Brennan was
the principal of the school back then.
One night in Raharney, when everyone was fast asleep, two
suspicious people arrived. I heard them planning to rob the
school. There was no alarm there at that time. With one foul
swoop they broke the glass in the front door. They quickly got
inside and headed straight for the office. The previous week the
school childen were going on a school trip. The robbers stole all
the money from the office. They were dressed in black and had
a big black bag. The robbers checked out all the classrooms
and they left a big mess in all the rooms.
The next day a little girl called Treasa got to school early in the
morning. She saw what had happened and ran home as fast as
her legs could carry her. Her Mum called Mr. Brennan. Mr.
Brennan called the Gardaí. The Gardaí caught the two men.
The men went to prison for eight years. From then on the
school has an alarm fitted.
School life continues and I have noticed lots of changes. I still
enjoy the company of the young students and the changing
seasons.
By Emma Crowcock.
If Trees Could Talk .......
I am a mighty oak and I mark the entrance to Grangemore. I
enjoy simple pleasures like helping birds or a nice Spring
breeze rustling my leaves. I have many tales to tell but my most
thrilling would have to be the tale of the robbers that tried to rob
Grangemore.
I was doing nothing much, just listening to some birds that had
moved in. When suddenly two men ran up to me and hid
behind me. They both wore black clothes. One was very slim
while the other looked strong and agile.
“Are you sure you want to rob Grangemore, Tom
?”, said the slim one. “I am”, said Tom. “We will
take the treasure and flee for France. We will be
rich !” I listened in horror as they thought up a
plan. “Meet back here at 12am”.
I waited for the horrible moment to come. Then at
around midnight I saw two figures approaching. They were
dressed in black clothes and carried big, black bags.
“Let’s go,” said Tom. The two ran off towards the big house.
Half an hour later the slim man ran out. As he ran under me I
pushed so hard that one of my branches fell off and hit him on
the head. He fell down unconscious. Then Tom ran out. (Some
birds once said that if I ever needed them I could just call !) I
decided to call on them. They swarmed around Tom. He fell to
the ground so heavily that he was knocked out.
Mr. Briscoe called the Gardaí and they took the robbers away.
Now I am five score years and I am enjoying the light breeze
and the wonderful nature all around me. I am looking forward to
more adventures but for now, I am relaxing.
By Noah Coyne-Tyrrell.
If Trees Could Talk .......
I am a mighty Oak and I have marked the entrance to Ashcroft
Park since I was a seedling. In fact I was here before the
houses were built in 1997. Before that, it was nothing more
than a green field. Then the houses were built.
I stand tall and proud. My boughs stretch majestically, East and
West. My leaves change colour with the changing seasons. I
have a massive brown trunk. My trunk supports my branches. I
enjoy children having picnics beneath me and birds using me to
make their nests.
However, one day, while the children were out playing on the
tarmac, a mysterious red, Ford car drove into the estate. The
occupants were driving slowly into the estate. The children
were playing happily. The car stopped and two men jumped out
of the car, but there was still one man sitting in the driver’s side
of the car, with his head down.
The two men crept around to the back of the houses. All you
could hear were windows smashing and doors slamming. I was
so angry but I could not do anything. The two men did not come
back out. I could hear them but I could not see them. Then
suddenly, one of the men shouted; “Are you ready Tom ?” Tom
replied, “Yes !”. For a moment I thought I was dreaming but
unfortunately I wasn’t. I felt so sorry for the family that had to
come home to a house that was smashed up.
Just then Tom arrived out with a gigantic bag with a dollar sign
on it. The two men ran to the car. The man in the driver’s side
sat up and started the car and he drove up very quickly. The
two men jumped into the car and they drove off. I was
devastated that they got away.
I am an old tree now but I hope to live for many more Springs.
By Faye McKenna.