I took a deep breath. And another. My heart felt like the Energizer Bunny’s drum. Everyone was staring at me. I had to speak. Silence was bad.
I glanced at my notes.
1. Tree climbing is good for kids because it is mentally stimulating. Finding your way up a tree is like solving a puzzle.
2. Tree climbing is good exercise. It provides a thorough workout for the arms, legs and spine. It also enhances flexibility and coordination.
3. There are all kinds of studies showing that kids are not getting enough exercise.
4. Parents like it when their kids climb trees because it is free. And they don’t have to drive them anywhere.
5. Our principal, Mr. Lee, is always saying that kids need to spend more time outside appreciating nature.
6. You cannot climb trees inside.
7. Tree climbing is very safe.
Some of these ideas came from the tree-climbing website. Some of them came from a brainstorming session I had with Sarah. I added the part about Mr. Lee to impress Ms. Matheson. I figured she was more likely to listen to another school principal than she was to me.
“Well, I, um…” My throat was really dry. I looked at Mrs. Leary’s empty seat and said the first thing that came to mind. “Thank you for inviting me to come.”
My heart was still thumping away. I was sure everyone in the room could hear it. But I went on anyway. “I’d like the council to reconsider the bylaw against tree climbing.”
“Go on,” Ms. Matheson prodded.
“I, well, I don’t think it’s necessary.”
“The council created the bylaw because we felt that tree climbing was putting the children of Cedar Grove at risk.” Ms. Matheson looked around the table as she said this.
This wasn’t going the way I had hoped. I looked at my notes again. Then I took another deep breath and said, “But I would like you, and, um, the council to consider some of the many ways that tree climbing is a healthy activity for kids to be involved in.” It was my turn to look around the table. To my surprise, some of the council members were nodding. Mr. Morrow was even smiling at me encouragingly.
That’s when things started to get better. Eventually, my heart stopped pounding and I started breathing normally. I didn’t follow my notes exactly. But I think I covered everything.
I went over the last point—tree climbing is safe— really quickly. Obviously, safety was the main issue. But I really didn’t know how to convince the council that tree climbing wasn’t dangerous. Except to compare it to something really, really dangerous like motorcycle racing or skydiving. But I didn’t think it would be a good idea to start associating tree climbing with those kinds of sports.
After finding out about Ethan’s fall, I’d done some more research online, specifically about safety. I’d found some conflicting information. Although there was nothing about townhouse complexes, I had learned that tree climbing was banned in a lot of school playgrounds across North America. There was even an interview with an American pta member who described tree climbing as a “life threatening activity” responsible for over 140 deaths per year. I wasn’t about to tell the council that.
The TCI website didn’t have any useful suggestions on its safety page either. It just said stuff like, Stay on a rope, wear the right gear, get training from a qualified instructor and never forget the fall. Most of these suggestions didn’t even apply to backyard tree climbing. I mean, the trees in Cedar Grove aren’t that big. And I certainly wasn’t going to talk about the fall. That would be bad.
I definitely didn’t want Ms. Matheson to start thinking about Ethan’s fall. I figured it would be game over if that happened. Truth was, although I’d had a few minor injuries from tree climbing, I’d never considered it dangerous. But what if Ethan had really been hurt? Would that have changed the way I felt about it? Could Ashley and everyone else be right about tree climbing—was it really that dangerous?
I was done in less than five minutes, but it felt like forever. When I finished talking, Ms. Matheson thanked me again for coming. “We’ll take your points into consideration.”
“But…” I felt like things weren’t complete, like I needed to say more. I wanted to scream, It’s not fair! I love climbing trees. I’m not a grouchy old lady like Mrs. Leary! Please take me seriously!
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave now, Brianna”—Ms. Matheson frowned at me—“so we can get on with the rest of the meeting.”
“But what about the bylaw? Can it be overturned?” I wasn’t feeling nervous anymore. Not at all. Just desperate for the council to see things my way.
“As I said before, the bylaw was put in place because the council thinks that tree climbing is putting the children of Cedar Grove at risk. We chose not to delay the decision until the Annual General Meeting because we’re worried that someone will get hurt trying to climb as high and as far as you do. You do not set the best example, Brianna.” Ms. Matheson stopped suddenly and glanced at the other council members. Then she continued, “There will be further discussion based on your input. We will let you know when a decision has been made.”
I didn’t say anything as I stood up to leave. I heard mumbling around the table about the AGM and ratification, but I was too upset to really listen.
You do not set the best example, Brianna. Ms. Matheson’s words turned my desperation into a pot of anger that was dangerously close to boiling over.
It wasn’t fair. Kids have to put up with too many rules. I was sick of the Cedar Grove Neighborhood Council and their stupid bylaws.