Still speaking in a scientific manner, Kimmerer slightly changes the narrative’s perspective to look beyond objectivity and see the trees as a source of wisdom, teaching readers about the value of collective generosity. This generosity also benefits the trees, however, a fact that challenges the usual concept of survival of the fittest and instead posits that nature—particularly in the world of plants—can be a place of reciprocity rather than competition, with no less benefit for the individual plants themselves.