There was once a spruce tree in the midst of a forest, tall and beautiful, old and wise. The spruce tree stood for many years. Birds would nest in its branches, their song echoing through the forest and imbedding in the fibers of the old spruce.

For many years the spruce stood, taking in the sounds and silence of the forest. Until one day, when it was very old and its day on earth were near their end, some people came and cut it down. The sound of the fallen tree echoed through the forest--and there was silence.

Meanwhile in another forest, far away from where the old spruce lived, a maple tree grew. This tree was also very old and very wise. The maple tree stood for many years, taking in the sounds of the forest, the silence of the universe, and the harmony of nature. The maple tree was also nearing the end of its days, and it too was cut down.

Though the spruce and maple trees no longer lived in the forest, the essence of the forest was still alive; imbedded in their wood. The pieces of wood were shipped all around the world and used for many differnt purposes, but two of the pieces, one of maple and one of spruce, were brought to the same place. The pieces were shaped, carved, sanded and glued together to create a single object--a violin. And each time the violin was played--if one listened carefully enough--one could hear the sound of thunder rumbling, birds singing, lightening striking, even the wind wistling. The sounds of the forest vibrating from the wood of the violin and echoing through the music.

Note: I wrote this story a few months ago around the time my uncle and I were in the process of making a violin from a kit.I was thinking about how different types of wood create differnt tones--thats how I got the idea of the sounds of nature being absorbed by the trees. And in turn being able to hear those sounds from the violin.