Hundred and Twenty Four

Pips! PIPS!
'George? WHERE ARE YOU?'
I'M HERE PIPS!
'I wish you wouldn't rush off ahead of me'.
THERE'S A CITY IN THE TREES!
'Ah! There you are'.
Look Pips! Up in the tree!
'What's the matter? Oh my gosh. Look at all those birdboxes clustered up there. That's amazing'.
I don't think it should be allowed Pips, no I don't. It will only encourage birds and squirrels to come and live here. NO GO AWAY!
'George don't snap at the squirrel. One of those boxes is probably his home'.
I think you should complain to the Council Pips. Tell them it's not a good idea.
'But it is a good idea'.
Who said that?
'Oh look George. You've got a friend. Hello. Who are you?'
'I'm coming Ruthie, I'm just coming!'
'Are you Ruthie?'
'There you are! I knew you'd be here. Are you making some friends? She loves this tree with all the insects, birds and squirrels don't you Ruthie? Every time I've lost her in these gardens - which I do frequently because my legs don't carry me as fast as they used to - I find her under this tree looking up at the wildlife. She gets very excited'.
Right. Well we don't like it do we Pips? We're going to complain to the Council aren't we?
'The Spontaneous City in the Tree of Heaven'.
I beg your pardon?
'Really?'
'That's what they call it. You can read all about it on that sign over there'.
'Oh I didn't see that'.
'I don't know why this tree is called the Tree of Heaven. Do you?'
'No. Doesn't it say?'
'No it doesn't. And who is this young man?'
'His name's George'.
'And he's yours?'
'Yes'.
'George is yours. And what's your name?'
'Philippa'.
'Philippa. Well I hope you don't mind my interrupting your walk but I've only recently moved into this neighbourhood and I don't know many people here yet but it's a pleasure to meet you under this Tree of Heaven as they call it. I'm Elliot by the way and this is Ruthie Fields'.