An emotional and scientific collection of essays that focus on the author's own deeply personal relationship with the natural world. Most chapters focus on a single plant, and what that plant has to teach human beings. From Strawberries come a recognition of gifts and sweetness. Pecans speak of collective decision making for the benefit of the whole community. Maple trees teach a lesson of civic duty and citizenship. Cattails offer self-sufficiency and the Three Sisters (Corn, Beans and Squash) offer nourishment. As a white person in a country which was stolen and is scared by white supremacy, I was especially moved by the teaching of Plantain on how to become naturalized in a non-native land, and how to be a good neighbor. This book also carries a strong call to action. What the plants have given to us, we humans owe in return, and we have not done well in keeping up our side of the reciprocal relationship.