The strong man and the willow tree.

In the early days of Mother Nature, there lived a man tall with health and arms as thick as the biggest oaks. Because of this mans good heart and giving ways many people took to him as a pillar of strength and protection, the good people of this village always gave him good tidings. One day as he walked his mothers lands he came upon a fair maiden weeping, she wept because her family had raised her as a servant as she grew older she realized the wrongs they had done her and when she protested the treatment, they abandoned her to the wolves of the forest, the man being one of honor and compassion, took her as his wife and shared with her all that she had. He left his mothers lands to give her a home of her own, he cared and nurtured her until a strong, independent and respected woman did she become. As time went by the woman’s family feared that she may resent them and cause ill will towards them. So they returned with her as wolves in sheep’s clothing to beg for her forgiveness, saying unto themselves let us use this new member of our family to gain respect and invoke his name in dealings so as to prosper. The man knowing their reputation forewarned his wife to step lightly and cautiously, but she was in need of their favor, she wanted to be loved by her family. As strong as she had become this was a void the Good man could not fill. So she forgave the family and announced to the people that this was her and her husband’s family and they honor us in their presence. As time progressed the good man began to fall out of favor from the people, they considered him as a danger, “a man so big and strong may look to dominate us, and he no longer protects us unless his family redeems contributions for his services.” When the man looked for comfort from his wife, she would deny him comfort unless he was cooperative to her needs and wants, he being a man of good faith and love of his creators commands in consummated unions he regretfully gave in to those demands, but he no longer looked for comfort, if such a price was his own dignity. The end began when he journeyed to his mothers lands and as he entered even the crows began rebuking his presence. By the time he entered his mother’s courtyard the ground would give under his weight so as not to allow him to enter her home. When he finally reached the door and opened it, there in the middle of her cottage lay a frail woman with nothing more than a wisp of hair flowing from her head. As he entered the room she looked at him and said “Son your sadness has reached me even into my heart, do not forsake your ways. You are a good man, be strong and give safe haven to those who seek your shadow. As a good mother does, I love you” as she laid there, he smelled the sweet fragrance of lilies and Roses in the air, he then knew that she had passed. As he buried his mother until the last stone was placed on her hearth. He wondered what he would do to resolve the issue in his life, for his mother would never be happy until he was. So he traveled north to seek council with the great northern wizard. As he entered his palace of ice and stone. He was greeted by a fairy who said to him, you have left your wife alone to deal with her family. He said unto the fairy I have also left my mother alone to die in sadness. As the fairy looked into his eyes he saw this great man sobbing in his heart. He said unto the man you may enter the chamber of the wizard, but you must be willing to leave all behind. The man said to the fairy, I have nothing left but my strength and shadow. The wizard may take those as well. And your promise to your mother? Said the fairy. I intend to keep it for as long as a piece of me exist. So be it said the fairy. As it opened the door of the chamber. There ahead of him sit the wizard staring intently at him. As he entered the wizard said in an old and commanding voice, neither a sound nor a word shall you speak, I have pondered you case since before the weeping maiden you came across. As you where a gift to the people and lands of your mother, you shall be a gift to the people and lands of us all. Be tall be strong cast a shadow of comfort, but for as long as a piece of you exist you shall do so, but one price you must always show. You must weep.

In the lands of his mother stands a tree with trunks as large as an oak that cast a shadow over a peaceful pond where people enjoy picnics and fan fare the tree a weeping willow.