THE COCONUT PALM  THE TREE OF LIFE

EVERY PART OF IT IS USED, AND NOTHING OF IT IS WASTED. THE NUT CARRIES SWEET WATER CLEAN ENOUGH TO KEEP A BODY ALIVE; THE WHITE FLESH GIVES OIL, MILK AND BREAD; THE HUSK BECOMES ROPE, BRUSH AND FIRE; THE SHELL BECOMES A BOWL, A SPOON, A CHARCOAL. THE FRONDS BECOME ROOF, BASKET AND MAT, THE TRUNK BECOMES A HOUSE, THE SAP BECOMES SUGAR AND WINE, THE ROOT BECOMES MEDICINE. IT DRINKS SALT AIR AND STANDS IN POOR SAND, BENDS THROUGH STORMS INSTEAD OF BREAKING, AND SENDS ITS SEED ACROSS AN ENTIRE OCEAN TO ROOT ON A SHORE IT HAS NEVER SEEN. IT FEEDS, SHELTERS, HEALS AND TRAVELS — WHICH IS WHY IT IS CALLED THE TREE OF LIFE, THE TREE OF A THOUSAND USES: ONE ORGANISM DOING THE WORK OF A WHOLE ECONOMY.