Date: 2015-08-16
From: Goshen, IN

To: Goshen, IN
Miles today: 0.0

THE HONORABLE RED TRILLIUMOne day on the AT I came upon a very moist forest area that had acres of flowers. The ferns and Mayapple plants were beyond number. The smell in the air was marvelous and my mind was almost overwhelmed with gratitude. As the ferns and Mayapple plants diminished there appeared acres of Red Trillium flowers on the hillsides and right up to the path I was walking on. In the midst of this there was a huge dead tree and a Pileated woodpecker was drumming out a chorus that made the forest echo with sound. Now imagine all this on a warm sunny day and you are all alone with this dream of sights/sounds and sweet flower smells. I must prepare your mind for the following story. I sat on a log and really did talk to the Red Trillium close by. Some is real and some answers are what may have been said. I asked the Red Trillium what the occasion may be that there are so many Red Trillium in one place. Mr. Red Trillium (Gabriel) and Mrs. Red Trillium (Ruth) will conduct the interview. They have four children. Two sons Daniel and Jacob. Two daughters Amanda and Rebecca. Gabriel said, "Mr. The Leopard, the answer is blowing in the wind, and you will understand soon enough." As Gabriel started talking all got quiet and he began to speak ever so softly. He said, "we are showing you our Creator in the form of our beauty. We stand tall and show our best. We provide beauty for you and food for the bees and insects." I said, "Gabriel, I hear singing in the distance." He said, "that is number 3 section practicing our theme song." The Leopard asked, "what is your theme song?" Gabriel and Ruth said, "it's FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH." Then Ruth said the children just finished learning the theme song yesterday. Do you want to hear the song, Mr. Leopard? Mr. Leopard said, "sure, I would be happy to listen." The Leopard lowered his head to hear four tiny voices sing the theme song with gusto. The nearby Red Trillium were slowly bobbing up and down as the four tiny voices rang out in sheer delight. After the song, with tears tumbling off his cheeks, The Leopard thanked the children for their wonderful singing. The Leopard said, "Gabriel, I have a request." Gabriel answered and said, "what is your request?" The Leopard said, "can you sing PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW?" Gabriel turned and said to his neighbor Julius to call Pileated. Soon there was swishing over my head and Pileated landed on a limb just above us and asked Gabriel what his wish was. Gabriel said, "Mr. The Leopard wants all of us to sing PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW in 4-part harmony." Mr. Pileated flew to his tree and started drumming a code and all got real quiet. Then Mr. Pileated drummed out some other code for the song. All was quiet then he drummed 3 loud echoes and the singing started. First one hill and then all three hills came alive with tiny voices singing a joyful sound. The Red Trillium were bobbing and weaving as each sang their part. After the music ended, The Leopard slowly walked into the distance as Mr. Pileated drummed his part which sent echoes far and wide. Just before The Leopard walked off, Gabriel the Red Trillium said "we are all happy because it is pollinating season and there will be more of us next season. Come and visit."See the Red Trillium photo Friday, May 8, 2015