America, our great country, is strong, powerful, and influential. Americans
exemplify positive values, selflessness, hospitality, and the American way of
life. The mighty oak tree that stands taller, bigger, and older than all others
best represents this grand country. Each part of the tree illustrates a facet of
our nation. Shapely emerald leaves covering the tree symbolize the values many
Americans hold concerning themselves, others, and their nation. Leaves help the
tree grow and flourish just as our value of caring for our neighbors help us to
unite and become more successful as a whole. The beautiful shade and distinct
shape of these leaves make the tree more attractive and unique. Our values often
differ from values of other countries due to cultural contrasts such as with
religious, racial, and education issues. We give much more freedom than many
other countries do to those of different races and religions. Also, he hold
education in a much higher regard than other countries. It is these differences
which sometimes make our country seem more appealing to those of foreign lands.
Without leaves in the spring, the mighty oak would have no means of nourishment
and would die. Our common American values bind us together as one unit just as
all the leaves work together to benefit the oak. Without them we would be
millions of separate bodies aimlessly wondering about a common ground, and our
country would fall to pieces. Thus, there would be no country as there would be
no tree. The lonely oak's long, gnarled limbs seem to reach out as far as they
can just to touch another tree. One limb reaches far to the east until it finds
a maple. Our brave troops fought in the east to fend off the Czechoslovakians
and Serbians from nearly defenseless Bosnia. Another limb bends down and softly
touches the fresh buds of a young sapling.
Many Americans give years of their lives in South Africa to the Peace Corps
to touch the lives and hearts of many villagers. Yet another limb seems to
branch out in all directions with its twigs reaching both up and down and side
to side. Every year, many Americans donate money to the Christian Children's
Fund where it is then used to heal, feed, and educate poverty-stricken children
all over the world. Just as our branches stretch out, so do our American arms to
help those less fortunate. There is a small, yet inviting hole in the front of
the oak tree. It gives protection to the squirrels and birds from the harsh
elements. Our country is one that encourages religious freedom without
persecution for all ethnicities alike. Also, the cavity provides the animals a
space to be free to live a life they choose. In America, once a person becomes a
citizen he/she is free to be who he/she is and do what he/she will within lawful
reason, creating a higher quality of life. The hole provides a starting point
for the animals from which they will grow and move on. When foreigners emigrate
to our land, they start off small, but are given the same chances to grow and be
successful members of society. For the animals, the hole is like their ticket to
a more prosperous and thus more enjoyable life just as our country serves as a
land of opportunity for so many less fortunate. Small acorns that are produced
by the tree and those that lie on the ground portray the lives of America's
youth. The mighty oak births many acorns with hopes that they will spring forth
into new trees. Every few minutes another child is born with the opportunity to
become a functional part of our society. However, like the acorns, some do not
make it. They simply die too early to be something great. The ones that do make
it will become our leaders of tomorrow. Once the acorns reach a certain age,
they fall to the ground detached from their life line. A simple fact of American
life, like all other life, is that everyone that is born must die at one time or
another. Birth inevitably brings death. From the fallen acorns come new trees as
if it were a miracle. In the cycle of life, death also brings life. Our elderly
pass, allowing for room for the hopeful new generation to begin. Like a circle
that never ends, life goes on. Through the figurative picture of a magnificent
oak tree with marvelous leaves, extensive branches, a cordial aperture, and
intricate acorns, we can take a look at the many positive aspects of our country
and begin to appreciate what we have as opposed to those who have nothing at
all. It is usually what we do not have that we want, but when we begin to
appreciate what we do have, we stop wanting so much for ourselves but for others
to have more. That is perhaps the characteristic of America that has made us the
greatest country in the world- the tallest oak in the forest.
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