The tree still celebrates its essential treeness through song, as nature will do whatever we impose on her. Birds still sing their ancient songs in the middle of a bustling city, with all its cacophony of man-made sounds. Dry leaves still rustle like dice even when growing against concrete or hewn stone. Out of a tiny crack in a pavement will crawl a perfectly formed insect, a creature of curves and protrusions amidst a linear world of man's engineering.
The text reflects on the resilience of nature in the face of urbanization and human interference. Despite the overwhelming presence of man-made structures and noise, nature finds ways to express itself. Birds continue their timeless melodies even in a vibrant city landscape, symbolizing the persistence of natural beauty amidst chaos.
Moreover, the imagery of dry leaves rustling and insects emerging from pavement cracks emphasizes the idea that life persists and thrives in unconventional environments. The author, Alexander McCall Smith, illustrates this remarkable ability of nature to adapt, reminding us of the connection between the organic and the engineered worlds.
