What is this?
For all extensive purposes it is a tree.
But why is it a tree?
Well, it has roots. It has branches, it grows vertically,
it has leaves…
Have you ever thought why calling something a tree isn’t
something simple, but rather complex?
We grow up learning our surroundings because someone kind
enough labels the objects for us. The word “tree” by itself doesn’t hold any
meaning- only the meaning you attach to it; the picture you see in your mind
when you first labeled it.
My neurology professor said in class, “When you name
something, you aren’t calling it anything- rather you are naming the concept of
something.” And ever since, it has stuck with me.
It’s just recently occurred to me that a tree doesn’t
need to be this way. It could have been created wiggly, and creep outwards
instead of tall and straight. I’ve always walked around and seen giant wooden
objects standing much taller than me and have thought ‘duh, of course’.
Everything about it is foreign. In fact, it’s a pretty alien object. There are
many types, with different leaves, some grow food, and all of them provide a
means for me to breathe and therefore survive.
It begins
Has an awkward teenage stage
And grows