A birch tree and a beech tree had stood side by side in the woods for many years. As a result of this proximity, they had become quite good friends.
One day, the birch tree happened to glance down to the fertile ground below where he saw a young sapling.
"Look at that handsome young son of a birch," he said to his beech tree friend.
"That is indeed a handsome sapling," the beech tree replied. "But I believe you will discover it's a son of a beech, not a son of a birch."
They argued for many years as the young sapling grew into tree-hood.
One day, a woodpecker happened to stop by, landing in the birch tree. The birch tree had an idea and said to the woodpecker, "Mr. Woodpecker, my friend the beech tree and I have been arguing over the parentage of the young sapling below. Is it a son of a birch as I believe. Or is it a son of a beech as my friend is convinced?"
The woodpecker flew down and began to peck at the young sapling. He was there for quite some time before flying back into the taller tree.
"Well," the beech tree demanded. "Is it a son of a birch or a son of a beech?"
"You are both going to be disappointed," said the woodpecker. "For that is one of the finest pieces of ash I've ever had my pecker in."
(okay, I'm headed for the corner.)