The Oil Palm Tree

Over the past few weeks we have immersed ourselves in ‘The Great Kapok Tree’. Then using our Writing toolkits and Magpie page we wrote our wrote version of this story.

The Great Oil Palm Tree by J4

Sarah

Two men walked determinedly into the rainforest. The rainforest was picturesque, picturesque because of the golden-brown trees and moon-grey rocks.  Moments before, the forest had been alive with the sounds of squawking birds and howling monkeys.  Now, all was quiet.  The larger man, who had black, hypnotising eyes, stopped and pointed to a great Oil Palm tree.  Then, he left.

Without stopping to think, the smaller man took the axe he carried and struck the tree. Bash! Bash! Bash! The sounds of the sickening blows ran through the forest. Thud! Thud! Thud!  The man wiped off the sweat that ran down his face and neck.  Bash! Thud! Bash! Thud!

Soon, the man grew tired.  He sat down to rest at the foot of the Oil Palm tree.  Before he knew it, the warmth and peace of the forest had lulled him to sleep.

Zikra

In the Oil Palm tree, there lived an orangutan, who climbed down the trunk to where the man was sleeping.  He looked at the gash the axe had made in the tree.  Then, the orangutan swung very close to the man and spoke in his ear: “Senhor, this tree is a tree of miracles.  It is my home and where generations of my family have lived.  Do not chop it down.”

Vincent

Moments later, a hummingbird and a butterfly swooped down from the canopy and settled on the branches nearby.  “Senhor!” hummed the hummingbird, “you must not cut down this tree.  People set fires to clear the underbrush, and soon the forest disappears.”

Evie

After watching the butterfly fly away, a chameleon crept from a nearby branch and climbed silently over to the sleeping man.  No-one had noticed him.  The chameleon slobbered in the man’s ear: “Senhor, the Oil Palm tree is home to many bugs and insects.  If you cut it down, where will I find my dinner?”

Abi

That afternoon, many more animals visited the sleeping man and gave their reasons why the tree was important.  Finally, a little boy from the nearby Kayapo tribe, who had colourful, elaborate face paint, knelt down by the man.  “Senhor, you are chopping down trees with no thought of the future.  And surely you know that what happens tomorrow depends on what you do today.  This tree provides oxygen, shelter and food.  Senhor, when you awake, please look upon us all with new eyes.”

Dylan

Suddenly, the man awoke to a living crowd, all of whom depended on the Oil Palm tree.  Sunlight streamed through the canopy and vibrant and dazzling plants seemed to dangle in the air from the Oil Palm tree.  The man smelled the exotic perfume of their flowers but he heard no sound, for the animals were strangely quiet.

Jake

Drowsily, the compact man stood and picked up his razor sharp axe. Purposefully, he swung back his short arm as though to strike the tree. (Inside, however he felt guilty about destroying the animals’ home, food and shelter).  As quick as a flash, he stopped, turned and looked over his shoulder at the animals and the child.  He hesitated.  Then, he suddenly dropped the axe and walked out of the rainforest. The rainforest was fearful in case the men ever returned.