The men glanced at each other. The intervention of a giant tree with no sense of pain and determination to save the small animal changed things.

They grabbed the wounded and backed off, keeping a sharp eye on Groot. Groot watched them, then turned to look up at the little animal, perched so close. "Grooot?"

Because Groot didn't know what to do now. Mostly, animals ignored a wandering tree. No one had actually asked anything of Groot before.