The Oak and The Willow

[Gabe]

It seems to me that there are two kinds of strength: the strength of the oak and the strength of the willow. Everyone knows that the oak stands tall and proud, while the willow bows its head humbly to all who pass by. Can one really see strength in the willow?

Enter the wind. As someone once called it, "The most powerful force on Earth, and nobody has ever seen it." Pit the oak tree against the wind, and the oak stands steadfast. Unwilling, unflinching, relentless in its grip. It will be conquering or be conquered; no quarter will be shown. If the wind proves too powerful, the oak tree will not bend. It will fight until it can fight no longer, and then it will break.

The willow greets the wind as it approaches, recognizing a fellow brother/ sister. As the wind dances around and tugs at the willow's branches, the willow too begins to dance - opening its arms to the wind's advances. If the wind increases its strength, the willow bends and gives leave; allowing the wind to vent its anger and then rebounding to its cause.