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I know a similar lore to this that I grew up with
There were 3 trees in a forest that were close to each other. The three decided to discuss their deepest wishes and ambitions. https://twitter.com/LunacyandClaret/status/1361406054018465792
There were 3 trees in a forest that were close to each other. The three decided to discuss their deepest wishes and ambitions. https://twitter.com/LunacyandClaret/status/1361406054018465792
The 1st tree said, "I want to grow and eventually become a chest that will hold the greatest treasure ever"
The 2nd tree said, "I want to become the mightiest ship in the world, enough to withstand any storm and gale"
The 2nd tree said, "I want to become the mightiest ship in the world, enough to withstand any storm and gale"
The 3rd tree said, "I want to stay in the forest and become the tallest tree, high above every other tree. I want the birds to nest in my and animals to take shelter in my shade. I want to bear fruit and nourish all those who come to me"
And so, the trees decided to grow
And so, the trees decided to grow
One day, a woodcutter came to the forest, saw the 3 trees and decided to chop them up.
At last, the 1st and 2nd tree thought, we shall get what we desire.
But the 3rd tree was scared. This wasn't what it wanted. But it couldn't do anything as the woodcutter chopped it
At last, the 1st and 2nd tree thought, we shall get what we desire.
But the 3rd tree was scared. This wasn't what it wanted. But it couldn't do anything as the woodcutter chopped it
The 1st tree was taken to a carpenter. "At last", it thought, "I can become a treasure chest". But it made into a trough for food, and placed in a barn. And so it's ambitions sadly ended
The 2nd tree was taken to a shipyard. "At last," it thought, "I shall sail the season as a mighty ship and stand strong against whirlpools and storms". But it was turned into a fairly small boat and sold to fishermen. And sadly, its ambitions ended also
The poor 3rd tree, meanwhile, was cut up into two pieces and stored in a warehouse, where slowly it was forgotten.
Years later, when the trees had all but forgotten everything and resigned themselves to their fate, the barn that the 1st tree was in was opened up. A pregnant woman and her husband chose to stay there. Soon she gave birth, and the baby was placed in the trough.
As the baby lay in the trough, as shepherds came in and knelt before the baby, the tree realised that it held the greatest treasure it could ever hold, greater than gold and silver, greater than the gifts the travellers gave the woman and her baby, the greatest the world will see
Years later, the 2nd tree, now a fisher's boat, was taken out in the night. One of the men who had climbed into it went to sleep. Soon, an inland storm came upon it. The tree was frightened. It was weak. It wouldn't last. The men in the boat were scared too.
They woke up the sleeping man, who then stood at the little helm of the pitiable boat. And then He said, "Quiet! Be still!" And the waters calmed down.
That day, the little boat realised that it held the greatest power on it, and that it was the strongest, most secure boat in the world because of the man who stood upright on it in the storm.
Meanwhile, the 3rd tree lay forgotten, gathering dust. Nobody wanted its wood. Those who looked at it felt its wood wouldn't bee good enough.
But one day, someone came in, and saw the two pieces in the corner. And checking it, he found that it was sturdy, good wood
But one day, someone came in, and saw the two pieces in the corner. And checking it, he found that it was sturdy, good wood
So he took it out and worked on it. "At least I will be of use," the 3rd tree thought.
The two pieces were joined together, then then some workers took out the tree, and carrying it, placed it on a bleeding man, who had a crown of thorns on his head.
The two pieces were joined together, then then some workers took out the tree, and carrying it, placed it on a bleeding man, who had a crown of thorns on his head.
Slowly the man walked on the street, to jeers and insult. He even fell, the tree landing heavily on his back everytime. The tree felt pity and sadness. It couldn't do anything to protect this man. Soon they arrived at a hill, and the tree was placed down.
And they took the man and nailed Him to it. And then, they raised the tree up, high on the hill, overlooking the city, and for three hours He hung there, till He died.
And when He did, there was an earthquake. The tree was scared. It didn't understand what was happening
And when He did, there was an earthquake. The tree was scared. It didn't understand what was happening
They took the man down eventually, and took Him away. The tree stood there quietly, now a cross, soaked in the man's blood
3 days later, the man rose up from the dead.
3 days later, the man rose up from the dead.
The tree never realised that as it stood on the hill, it wasn't a symbol of shame, but of noble sacrifice. It would stand tall through time, for through the death of the man who was nailed to it, all humans would be saved, and all would receive the nourishment of saving grace.
Really long thread, but this is the story as I remember it.