Once, in the forest, a sapling grew between two trees…

One tree was a birch tree, and proudly said, “That sapling is a son of a birch!”

The other tree was a beech tree, and proudly said, “No, that sapling is a son of a beech!”

The two trees argued day in and day out, but couldn’t settle the matter. Finally, they decided to ask the true expert of the forest: the woodpecker. No one knew different trees like the woodpecker.

“Dear woodpecker,” said the birch tree, “Kindly fly down and examine that sapling! Then you can tell us if it is a son of a birch or a son of a beech!”

“Certainly I will,” replied the woodpecker, and he flew down and gave the sapling a firm peck.

“Well?” asked the beech tree, “Is that sapling a son of a birch or is it a son of a beech?”

“This sapling isn’t a son of a birch, nor is it a son of a beech!” said the woodpecker. “This, my friends, is the finest piece of ash I’ve ever put my pecker into!”