"The Fir Tree" by Hans Christian Andersen, published originally in 1845, follows the life of a young fir tree living in the woods (of all places). Compared to the other trees around him, he feels small, spindly and short, and he constantly utters complaint to any and all woodland creatures within ear shot. Most pointedly, he wonders "when will he truly be alive?" When he sees humans cut down some beautiful trees nearby and then drag them across...