The Man in the Watch Tower
There once was a very old man who cared deeply for a forest. He knew every creature that scampered across the forest floor. He knew every squirrel by name and knew the family tales of the wolves back to the day their packs split. While he never involved himself in their quarrels, for he loved them all the same, he always looked out for them and ensured none ever came to any unnecessary harm. The man had a host of passenger pigeons who carried messages to the animals to call each creature to the aid of its kin. When The Man was young he would climb down the long ladder and sit with the creatures. They would offer tributes to him in thanks for his watchful eye, for there was not a creature in the forest who had not benefited from the service of The Man. In his old age, however, The Man could no longer make the long journey down from his tower. The passenger pigeons would bring his tributes to him and The Man would simply watch. As the creatures saw less of him his tributes dwindled,...