If Only That Tree Could Talk ...

By Kevin A. Rodrigue

Have you ever driven down a country road and noticed a majestic old tree? Have you ever wondered what stories that tree could tell about the things it has seen? If Only That Tree Could Talk addresses that very question, presenting the history of Louisiana from the perspective of a plantation live oak.
When Rodney is in a car accident, a massive tree rescues him. Of course, at first, he can’t believe the live oak is talking to him, but soon, that tree begins to share its many stories. Although fictionalized, the tree’s stories are based on actual historical pictures, letters, and speeches, featuring real people who had tremendous impacts on the Pelican State.
As a history teacher and native Louisianan, author Kevin Rodrigue uses the wisdom of an ancient tree to share the things that fascinate him about the culture of his surroundings. He hopes to not only entertain but also inspire readers to look into their own pasts and embrace the things that make them unique.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Aug 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781480892439

Kevin A. Rodrigue

As a native Louisianan and certified history teacher, KEVIN A. RODRIGUE has always enjoyed telling stories of Louisiana’s past.

Book preview

Copyright © 2020 Kevin A. Rodrigue.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by

any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system

without the written permission of the author except in the case of

brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents,

organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products

of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Archway Publishing

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or

links contained in this book may have changed since publication and

may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those

of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher,

and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-9244-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-9242-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-9243-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020913502

Archway Publishing rev. date: 08/18/2020

Contents

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

References

About the Author

Dedication

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I dedicate this book to my awesome wife, who has motivated me to do things I may have never done on my own. I love her for the contribution she has made to any success I may claim. This book probably would not have seen the printing press had it not been for her.

I dedicate this book as well to my two great children, whom I could not be prouder of. They show me that the hard work my wife and I have invested in them was not in vain. Their successes in life are a positive reflection of this hard work. The future for them is just as promising.

I also dedicate this book to my mom and dad, who instilled values in me that make living much easier. Their support and demonstration of confidence in my ability to do anything I set out to do have served me well.

Introduction

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Welcome to a Louisiana fantasy. The ideas for this book came to me as I traveled the roads of Louisiana and admired the incredibly old trees that seem to grow everywhere near the bayous and plantations of this region. There was no script or pattern when it came to planting these natural treasures, which seemingly have been there from the start of time. As I gazed at those trees, I thought, If only these tree could talk. Oh, the stories they could tell! That thought was the motivation for this book.

As a longtime history teacher, I took what I knew about Louisiana’s past as a springboard to the tales this book relates. I stress that the storylines in the book are completely fictional, but the inspiration for these stories came from photographs, maps, paintings, and speeches given in Louisiana’s past. The news clippings and poster are real. The contents are based on stories from historical accounts of the topics covered but modified for entertainment value. I hope that readers enjoy my stories and are motivated to explore Louisiana’s history as well as their states’ histories.

History is alive, and it’s important that we understand, explore, and be excited by the heritage our personal histories offer us. Whether the past is positive or negative, it is important that it be remembered.

History does not assign good-guy or bad-guy labels; we do. What is a good guy in one man’s eye might be a bad guy in another’s. What appears to be an evil event to one man might appear to another as correct and noble. History has a story to tell about how humanity treats itself, and it is not always a good story. It is our job to interpret these stories. We can approve or disapprove of the events discussed in this book, but they should not be hidden, ignored, or censored.

I hope that readers enjoy my stories; I wrote them to entertain, inform, and challenge them to explore our collective heritages.

Chapter 1

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Well, sir, I’m pleased to say you’ll soon own your piece of paradise," the attorney said as he thumbed through papers in front of him and fumbled with a couple of pens in a cup on the conference table.

Rodney was anxiously fidgeting in his chair between the conference table and the window. His closing attorney quipped, Rodney, if anything in this pile of papers is in your favor, let me know. It’s a typo.

The other attorney did not break a smile, but Rodney grinned and started to laugh. For whatever reason, he considered the joke to be particularly funny.

The lawyer presented page after page to Rodney with a brief explanation of what each document was, and Rodney signed each. They worked through the documents quickly. They exchanged words, but none was