Two tall trees, a birch and a beech, are growing in the woods. A

Small tree begins to grow between them, and the beech says to the

birch, 'Is that a son of a beech or a son of a birch?' The birch says

he cannot tell.



Just then a woodpecker lands on the sapling.



The birch says, 'Woodpecker, you are a tree expert. Can you tell if

that is a son of a beech or a son of a birch?'



The woodpecker takes a taste of the small tree. He replies, 'It is

neither a son of a beech nor a son of a birch. It is, however, the

best piece of ash I have ever put my pecker in.