THAT WAS THE DAY that changed everything. The news media far and wide covered the story of two kids who started a protest to save their forest, and the girl who was found as a baby in it. Donations came pouring in from all over the world into a Save the Worcester Woods fund set up by Cedar’s parents. The Town Council put the development on hold, and Cedar’s health improved. At the hearing later that month, Cedar’s parents had raised enough money both locally and on-line that they simply bought the land, and turned it into a park for all the residents of Middlesex, Worcester, and beyond.
Cedar’s health blossomed. She seemed to grow like the trees that were newly protected. The fire in her eyes was back, her long limbs stretching and growing. Phillip emerged as a school leader, the perception of him after the protest changed forever. He stood a little taller. He wasn’t afraid to speak up to anyone, any more.
Cedar, Phillip and Dan did start that environmental club at school. Dan started a blog about their work, and a YouTube channel featuring their projects. Soon, they were organizing other campaigns to save local habitats and to demand that companies respect the environment. They had thousands of fans, and they continued to raise money for their work with the fund set up by Cedar’s parents.
Dan was welcomed into the Order of the Trees, held each week in the newly formed Worcester Woodland Community Park. They had to limit the membership to 20 local kids, and are considering opening another chapter.
Perhaps, dear reader, you could start your very own chapter of the Order of the Trees. Who knows what kind of magic you will find there?