The Story of a Tree

                                        There were two Native American Nations
                                  that were in a great war with each other. It
                                 was decided that the Nations should meet
                                 with each other to try to create peace. The
                                 place to meet was across a bend on a free
                                 running river, between and neutral to both
                                 Nations. They met and peace was seen under
                                 the shade of the small strong tree.   The
                                 Shamans, feeling the healing power of the tree,
                                 decided to call it "The Medicine Tree."

     The tree through many moons grew, as the world and society
grew around it. a highway was put beside the tree, and cities
sprang up around the tree, a monument was placed so not to
forget the story of the tree. "The Medicine Tree" grew proud and
strong taking the pains of those that came to her to heal.

     The society around the tree decided they wanted a bigger road,
but low and behold, a simple tree stood in the way. Late one night
someone poisoned "The Medicine Tree", releasing poisons deep
into her mighty roots. Now it was thought it would not take long
before she was to go, fall over withering in dying pain. For years
she fought it and stood strong in the ground, never would she fall
till it was her time to go.

     This young lady passed the tree, at first, thinking the offerings
were just the act of modern day vandals. (Little did she know!)
Later, she saw a painting of scarves on a branch and something
drew her to this painting. Puzzled at the strong pull, she asked
the artist why does such a simple painting hold such spiritual
power? She was told of the legend and soon recognized the tree
she had long ago passed...... was "The Medicine Tree". The
offerings were not that of vandals, but of those the tree had
helped heal.

     Now the lady stopped by the tree to see what energy it would
hold, she had no pain in her heart to heal. The energy was
pwerful and she sat at the base of the tall tree and felt the pain
of poison deep within her roots. The lady gave her some energy
of her own, to help the mighty tree see it's way through the pain
man had caused her.

     Now years went by and the lady stopped at the tree everytime
she passed by. The lady tried to keep her heart pain-free
everytime she visited the mighty tree. The tree would seek her
pain and take it and the lady would in return give the tree as
much energy as she could spare. Now the lady soon fell in love
with that simple but mighty medicine tree. She longed to visit it
every chance she got, and the conversations were passed
between the ladies soul and the tree. Soon the lady had her best
friend in the tree, she would stop to talk, sing and chant just to be
with the tree.

     One time the lady stopped when there was heavy smoke in the
air, the forest around the tree was in a great blaze. She cried in
fear this would be the last time she would see her friend, she
knew the government and firefighters would do nothing to save
"The Medicine Tree'". They had long wanted the tree gone and
this would be a natural way to make her disappear. As the lady
hugged her friend, she could feel the heat of the fires already
alive inside her. With all her energy and might she cast a circle of
protection around her mighty friend. With tears in her eyes, she
whispered her goodbyes in case her circle would not defend.

     Now the fires roared through and burned the forest down all
around, they raged for weeks. The lady wanted to be with her
tree so bad but the roads, man had built, had been closed. No
news was covered on the tree, only stories of homes in the area
lost had been covered. She thought of her friend everyday, and
asked all officials that came her way, "What has become of 'The
Medicine Tree'?" Noone knew or should it be said, that noone
cared, for it was a simple tree in the way of building a bigger road.

     The road opened and the lady rushed down to see what had
become of her friend. In a circle of 10 feet stood the tree.   All
around her were ashes of everything that burned, not one piece
of bark touched by the fire. The lady cried in joy and hugged her
dear friend. Her friend laughed in wisdom saying, "They can't
have me yet, I still have more healing left in me yet!"

    When something is meant to be, it will stand tall and proud .
It will not disappear till it is time for it to go.

Author Unknown



(This was sent anonymously to SHADOW_WALKER via e-mail on 8/22/00. Thank you whoever shared it with us.)