Why Me?
By Sydney S.

Dear Diary, 4-22-99
Today I was just planted by a five-year old boy. I believe his name was Mike. He had (from what I saw briefly) red, short hair and freckles scattered across his face like sprinkles on an ice cream sundae. He seemed like a nice kid, until he buried me into the ground that is.

Dear Diary, 8-24-99
It’s been a few months, and I think I’ve even started growing! By the way, have you met the new tree? He just transferred here from Sunnyville Farms. That’s all the way in Texas. Do you know how far that is from Illinois? Well, it’s getting pretty late, see you in a while!

Dear Diary, 5-19-01
Sorry it’s been so long Diary. I’ve been trying to collect the water Mike’s been giving me. I’ve really prospered well. The new tree, Red, is even talking to me. He’s gotten huge! Me? Oh I’ve been no taller than little 3 foot 4 inches Mike. Now I’m too sad to talk anymore!

Dear Diary, 3-5-06
Oh my gosh! You will never believe this. I just had a major growth spurt! I’m about as tall as the Empire State Building! Well maybe not, but 40 feet is big too. I can even see over Mike’s house. That was cool before, but now I’m really scared. Help me Diary!

Dear Diary, 6-25-07
Thank goodness I stopped growing at 42 feet tall. I really didn’t want to get any bigger. Now Mike comes out, climbs a ladder, and sits in every morning before school. Don’t most kids just climb? Oh yeah, I’m too tall! I’m ready to put up a white banner and say “I’m done!”

Dear Diary, 7-08-07
Diary, you’ve got to hear this! Today I found out some wonderful news! I’m Normal! I’m supposed to be this tall. I’m a Red Wood. It turns out Red is too. He just hasn’t reached his full potential yet. Isn’t it great?! And how did I find this fantastic news out?

Well when Mike’s mom came out one day to water me, she grew concerned of how tall I was. Then she went inside and checked the seed packet. Sure enough is said “Red Wood”. This whole time everyone thought I was supposed to be an apple tree. It turns out that some careless child switched the seed packs. Poor Mike (who can’t really read) just grabbed the first one he saw. Boy do I feel better though!

Dear Diary, 10-5-07
It took the Pinsky’s (a.k.a Mike’s family) a while to figure out what to do with me. That was, until Mike questioned about a tree house built about 7-8 feet up on my trunk. His whole family thinks it’s great! Isn’t it wonderful? Now I’ll be seeing Mike much more, and he’ll even bring his friends. I can’t wait until it’s completed next summer. Thanks for listening Diary!