A great fire swept through a forest
burning everything in its wake.
In the fire's path stood a Jack Pine.
The tree, wanting to be left unharmed
pleaded for mercy from the blaze.
Reluctantly, the fire agreed
and passed it unmolested.

Countless seasons passed,
the forest grew back larger,
more resilient than before.
Many trees released their seeds
in the destruction;
The Pine, however,
unable to open its cones
could not help to reseed the forest.

The Pine, now older,
but weak and brittle from time,
realised the fire would bring devastation at first,
but in its aftermath,
new life would flourish.