The Bulldozers and the Redwood Tree

I climbed the trunk of a redwood tree
late one winter eve.
A clan was set to chop it,
and I was by Mama wanted.
So she called me in the night
to defend her in the fight.
From my perch I shouted, "Leave my Mama be,"
but my word, their downturned ears wouldn't heed.
So I dropped on each head a splintered branch;
then they heard, but didn't understand.
Soon, mounted on each bulldozer was a lumberman,
but in ignorance, each bulldozed another of the clan.
In some cases the killer and victim were same.
Mama's redwood tree was saved;
in gratitude she gave me fame:
Ocean waves still at my feet,
and winds whisper my name.