Säverman: Cones, Conspiracies, and a Spruce Tree

The author muses on the nature of 'kotterier' – exclusive, often secret societies – by observing a spruce tree. These groups, once prevalent in political, literary, and artistic spheres, were characterized by members who took themselves very seriously, possessing knowledge inaccessible to outsiders. The author notes that such circles persist today, with members often regarding non-members with scorn or pity.

This observation leads to a metaphorical connection with the cones of a spruce tree. The author initially notices the lack of cones on the lower branches, suggesting a possible shame or hiddenness, but then observes their abundance higher up, especially near the top. This distribution prompts a contemplation of the tree's structure and the nature of these cone clusters.

The spruce tree, swaying gently in the wind, becomes a symbol for these 'kotterier.' The author describes the tree as having sparse lower branches but increasingly dense clusters of cones higher up. This visual leads to the idea that the tree's top, laden with cones, resembles a 'more kotteri than gran' – more of a gathering place for these exclusive groups than simply a tree.

These gatherings, like the cones at the top of the spruce, are hidden from plain view. While fallen cones are harmless, unlike coconuts, the author questions how often people are injured by them. The piece concludes by likening the dense clusters of cones in the tree's top to conspiratorial groups, their ultimate purpose remaining a mystery, much like the secrets of the 'kotterier' themselves. The swaying branches and the countless cones are as difficult to count or understand as the members of these elusive circles.