This is what
has happened: the wind has blown away the soft blossoms; then the parts
beneath them which held the seeds grew larger and turned into berries; the
sun shone upon them and dyed them their brilliant red; and now they are
quite ripe, and ready for the birds' winter supply; or perhaps one here and
there may bury itself in the ground, and become a young hawthorn.
The power of life in the seed is a very wonderful thing. I have read of a
grave far away in Hanover upon which a very massive stone was laid, and
upon the stone were engraved the words, "This grave shall never be opened."
We know that the time will come when the seal of every tomb will be broken,
but even now it may be seen that those proud words were written in vain.
A seed which had fallen into the grave has grown into a tree, which has
actually raised and pushed aside the heavy stone to make room for itself
and force its way into the light and air.
I wonder if you ever thought of the fruits which you so much enjoy, as
seeds? Such they really are. Almonds and grapes and oranges, yes, and
the blackberries of the hedges, are either the seeds of plants or what
are called their seed-vessels, because they hold the seed. But fruits
like apples and pears have a double use; they were made not only to
serve as seed-holders, but God has given them to us for food. And those
horse-chestnuts you are so fond of gathering--next time you pick one up
just stop and think that in the round smooth nut, which you can hide in
your closed hand, lies the baby plant which may one day become a spreading
tree like those you have seen in the park.
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