1. Student Paper—First Draft A Year On Nature’s Stage
Springtime is here, the stage is set. Mother Nature, our great director, gives the cue for lights, and the sun rises on an awakened land. The drama of the seasons is preparing for its latest debut.

2. The young, blossoming, sapling, a novice actor on Nature’s stage, is growing into a stronger, more capable performer with each passing day. It models itself after the elder, more experienced trees that perform around it. These trees have flourished and rehearsed for decades; they know their role well. He attempts to mimic the graceful swaying of the elder trees, but falls short, as he has not yet reached his full growth potential. While the trees prepare for their performance, the daisies and tulips once again don their seasonal costumes. The mesh of different and unexpected flowers is a sight to behold, with the soft lavender and the vivacious snapdragon bending and waltzing alongside each other. They tremble with anticipation for their performance, wondering if their meticulous preparations and planning will result in success and acceptance of their cast and mentors. Although each flower is beautiful standing alone, as a chorus they complete the Director’s vision for the stage.

3. The rays of sunlight splintering through the leaves and branches form a natural spotlight on every character, specifically highlighting each feature in order to make the set look its best. A nest, perched carefully above among the limbs, houses the orchestra for Nature’s dramatic play. The mockingbird’s song flows beautifully in the background of the scene, each note dipping and rising with twists of the plot. As the mother bird, conductor of the nest, leads her orchestra, they serenade the audience with complex and harmonious melodies. As the symphony crescendos, the trees and flowers begin another costume change from the lively colors of spring and summer to the rustic hues of fall.

4. The mood shifts to a mellow one, while keeping a steady underscore of peaking anticipation. The play is now in full swing, each actor carrying out their purpose, blending and working together to create the beautiful picture they learned so well. The exciting dance and song continues until the actors begin to tire and slow once more. As autumn turns to bleak winter, the trees take the reprieve from stage life. The once colorful wildflowers are nowhere to be found, having been driven away by the icy chill of winter’s grasp. The final natural costume change is made into muted and clam tones, a hush falls across the stage, and the orchestra begins a somber ballad.

5. Suddenly, the finale is upon them
Suddenly, the finale is upon them. The players take the stage, greeted by the thunderous applause of crunching leaves and gusts of chilling wind. The flowers halt and the trees begin their deserved bow, letting each leaf fall slowly to the stage floor. This motion is not rushed, for the trees must all be in sync, while allowing each tree to take its’ curtain call. The drama of the seasons has unfurled and revealed its majesty, and it begins to prepare for another performance in its natural cycle of life.