Chapter 684 Chopping Trees (2/2)

Despite that, it was harder to find a fir than a pine for a Christmas tree. As firs were able to grow very tall, up to a maximum of 390 feet, a single person would not be able to carry it alone.

Since they grew very quickly and were able to grow to enormous sizes, by the time people were able to find them, the trees would have, more often than not, grew past the suitable height for being a Christmas tree.

Having found a Christmas tree, Li Du brought down the ax that he had been carrying on his shoulders. After finding a spot to chop, he said, ”Thomas, stand back and watch me chop it down.”

Mr. Martin smiled. ”Don't be anxious—is this your first time chopping a tree? I have to teach you some tricks then.”

”Isn't it just finding a side that is facing an empty area and chopping the tree down?” Li Du asked.

”It's not that simple,” Mr. Martin replied. ”Alright, it's actually that simple. However, I've been looking forward to the day where I get to teach my child how to chop a Christmas tree, just like how my old pops taught me, so you have to let me teach you.”

American parents did not prefer sons over daughters. In truth, this statement was somewhat incorrect. Most American parents were very fond of their own children, which was unrelated to gender. However, for both men and women, they all hoped to have a child that was the same gender as them.

In other words, fathers loved to have sons while mothers loved to have daughters. They would pass on some of their dreams and experiences to their children.

This point was exceptionally evident in the southwest region of America. Many cowboys were fond of raising sons. If they gave birth to daughters, they would also, before their daughters reached adulthood, raise them like how they would raise sons.

Mr. Martin took the ax and said, ”Using an ax to chop trees is much harder than using an electric saw. Nowadays, many people choose to use electric saws. However, it neither has the joy of chopping trees nor the spirit of Christmas.”

Li Du nodded. ”I agree. We should respect tradition.”

He was being respectful to his future father-in-law.

This type of remark was very pleasing to Mr. Martin's ears. Mr. Martin smiled. ”Absolutely right. Come, when you want to chop a tree, you have to first, like what you said earlier, find a side that has an empty space.

”After finding it, firstly chop twice at its front while tilting the ax toward the top and the bottom. Afterward, draw a horizontal line on the opposite side. The horizontal line is your target. Lastly, forcefully chop the horizontal line.”

Besides explaining one time to Li Du, he also personally demonstrated once before handing the ax over to him.

With the little bug strengthening his body and stamina, Li Du could be referred to as a beast in human form. His body contained a frightening amount of energy.

He swung the ax and impacted the tree a few times, which produced a bang sound. Very soon, the fir tree gave off a crackling sound that gave both men a sharp sensation in their teeth. The tree was promptly chopped down.

Mr. Martin was dumbfounded, ”You are very strong. I was ready to teach you some tricks on being more powerful later on.”

Li Du once again demonstrated his strength and explosiveness when dragging the fir tree. He walked very quickly with the fir tree all by himself.

In truth, he was not alone. Ah Meow, Ah Ow, and Crispy Noodles were hard at work helping to push the fir tree from behind.

After bringing the Christmas tree home, Sophie made hot coffee for them and they were able to rest. Sophie and her mother straightened out the fir tree and hung colored lights and ribbons on it.

All that was left was waiting for the Christmas Eve feast at night. In the southwest region of America, everyone treated the Christmas Eve feast as the most important dinner of the year and the whole family would gather to have a feast together, which was a little similar to New Year's Eve in China.

Christmas, just like Chinese New Year, was the most important festival. However, there were not any more feasts during Christmas, or at the very least, they weren't as grand as the Christmas Eve feast.