Two tall trees, a birch and a beech, are growing in the woods. A small
tree begins to grow between them, and the beech says to the birch, “Is
that a son of a beech or a son of a birch?”

The birch says he cannot tell.

Just then a woodpecker lands on the sapling. The birch says,

“Woodpecker, you are a tree expert. Can you tell if that is a son of a
beech or a son of a birch?”

The woodpecker takes a taste of the small tree. He replies, “It is
neither a son of a beech nor a son of a birch. It is, however, the best
piece of ash I have ever put my pecker in.