Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller
Shhhhhh! Don’t tell anyone, but here is Chapter 1 of The Three Trees.
The cover features three trees, each with a unique story.
The small longleaf pine in the foreground has spent most of its young life in a grassy stage with little visible growth. However, it has steadily grown a deep taproot and at some point, when conditions are right, it will begin its long skyward journey.
Behind it stands a majestic mature longleaf pine. This native Louisiana tree can live for over 150 years. It’s the Mother Tree and most of the younger pines, which have come from the big pine cones and their seeds.
There’s a third tree on the cover. It’s the thin skeleton of a dead tree, ready to be toppled by the next storm. This tree has completed its job by dropping years of seeds.
This blackened tree reminds me of my Dry Creek ancestors and mentors who passed on their common sense wisdom. They’re gone, but I’m here to pass on what they modeled. It’s a deep call that compels me to speak, write, and share.
Each of mentors had a story to tell.
I listened. I’m now passing them on to you.
I want to speak to those grassy-stage pines. I have some stories that will help them on their journey.
I’ve come to view life as a succession of seasons.
Each of the three trees are in different seasons.
Growth.
Maturity.
Death.
I’d like to think I’m at that tall, mature longleaf stage. There’s plenty of sap in me as well as a deep taproot. I’m in the season where I want to pass on the heritage and culture of the Louisiana Pineywoods which have shaped my life.
The Three Trees contain stories about the values and habits a young person needs as they step into life. These stories transcend age, gender, culture, and background. It’s also a valuable guide for leaders of all ages who want to maintain their priorities and follow their moral compass.
That’s why I want to share The Three Trees. There are many grassy stage pines surrounding me that weren’t brought up in my culture. I want to pass on the rich rural values that the old, blackened trees taught me that have withstood the test of time.
Lessons about the things that really matter.
Finding that purpose for your life journey
I believe I’d found my current purpose in life. It’s writing and share moving stories that inspire and encourage.
There is it. I Write. Share Moving Stories. Inspire. Encourage.
May I be a good steward of this assignment with The Three Trees.
“The shortest distance between the truth and a human heart is a story.”
-Anthony DeMello
I’m a storyteller.
Remember that this as we start this journey together through the pages of The Three Trees,
I’m also a story collector.
I collect them like some people collect Mardi Gras beads.
I truly believe stories have the power to change us.
As DeMello’s quote says, Connecting the human heart and the truth,
That’s what a story does.
To change how we look at others as well as ourselves.
My hope and prayer is that as you travel through a lifetime of my journals, you’ll find your own life story.
And write it down.
To pass on to those dearest to you.
That’s legacy.
Passing it on.
Finally, I hope you will sense a purpose in each step you make.
Each step upward.
Hopefully to be the best man or woman God made you to be.
I always sign my correspondence with, “Onward.”
So join me as we walk onward and up.
Walking together on my land in Dry Creek, stopping from time to time to sit on a log and read stories from my journals and life journey.
It’ll be a memorable trip.
We’ll learn together as we walk among the pines.
Let’s go
Onward!
Curt Iles
Dry Creek, Louisiana
April 2025
