The Map That Moved the Trees

Voting is fair—only when the map is too.

The forest buzzed as votes drew near,

With every tree and beast sincere.

Each zone would send a voice to speak—

To share what made their branches creak.

But Buzzards perched at By-Law Bluff

Said, "This old map is not enough!

Too many pines, too many bees—

We’ll shift the lines to favor trees."

They rolled out scrolls of bark and ink

And carved new zones in just a blink.

Now squirrels and mice were split in two,

And oaks were grouped with birds that flew.

Crabbie crowed, "This map feels skewed!

It breaks up groves and blocks a brood!

How can we vote if zones are tricks—

And voices split like scattered sticks?"

Maple honked, "Let’s fly above—

And trace these lines with eyes of love.

Fair maps should match where creatures live—

Not twist to take more than they give."

Sprig brought ink and Milo math,

And showed the paths and walking path.

Lantern lit where roots connect—

Not where the Buzzards redirect.

The forest met at Elder Tree.

They spread the map for all to see.

And Owliver, with even tone,

Declared, "These lines must match the known."

They redrew zones with open paws—

With fairness first, not feathered laws.

And when the votes at last were cast,

Each grove could cheer the choice at last.

---

Did You Know?

When voting maps are redrawn to favor one group unfairly, it’s called gerrymandering. Fair representation means drawing lines based on community—not control.

✍️ Why I Wrote This

The Map That Moved the Trees was born from a simple but powerful question: What happens when those in power get to draw the map?

I wanted to explain the concept of gerrymandering—not with legal jargon, but with leaves, paws, and forest voices. In this story, the Buzzards at By-Law Bluff redraw the voting zones to serve themselves. The result? Whole communities are split, voices are scattered, and fairness fades.

But just as in real democracies, change comes when everyday creatures—like Crabbie, Maple, Sprig, and Milo—ask questions, shine light, and show the truth. They redraw the lines with justice in mind, not just power.

This fable is for any child (or grown-up) who's ever wondered why some votes seem to matter more than others—and what fairness truly means in a shared community.

Because in any forest, fair maps help every voice grow.

—Ross Boulton