“Abominations! Fratricides!” Mother Maple withdrew from the creatures, horrified. “Cast them out now, say I!”
“Nonsense! We shall nourish them well, so that they may ripen quickly.”
“If they turn their claws upon us –”
“Oh they won’t do that. They know they die the day we do.”
“Well, I hope you’re right.” Sighed Mother Maple, and lowered her branches to the feeble paws reaching up for her leaves.