Mother Tree

“We’ll die if the land can’t be reborn,” said the boy.

Peter had traveled for three days to reach the sacred grove, hoping to speak to the Mother Tree.

“We’ve tried everything to bring the land back, but it is no use. You’re our only hope,” Peter said.

The Tree’s leaves swayed in the gentle breeze and didn’t communicate to the boy as was the tradition.

“Are we to be left on our own? Must we go the way of the old ones?” asked Peter.

Peter closed his eyes and reached out. “Show me an image, and I will make it so,” he prayed.

An image of thousands of young saplings growing across the valley appeared.

“I understand, and do as you command,” said the boy.

Peter told the council his vision. “He’s a fool! Give up our best land for forests?” the council head cried.

The other members feared the same rebuke and remained silent. Peter dropped his head and left the chamber in despair.

During the next month, the land continued to wither, leaving many to consider moving away.

“The boy was right!” cried a mob, marching to demand answers. The council building was empty. The treasury’s gold was also gone.

Enraged, a party of young men mounted horses and rode after the fleeing cowards. The council’s lifeless bodies were found by the roadside, victims of highwaymen.

The men buried the bodies in shallow graves along the road. “They were foul men indeed. I’ll not follow them to Hell by failing to do the right thing,” said the eldest.

Penniless, the men returned to the village. Greeting the returning men were women carrying water buckets. “Come and see it is as the boy claimed,” said a woman.

To their shock, hundreds of saplings stood along the river, which now overflowed with fish. Wilted corn stood tall. Pumpkin, melon, and gourd vines burst into life, sending runners across barren fields.

“Perhaps we are not lost. Perhaps this is our boon granted to us by the Mother Tree,” said a young man.

In the distance, the men worked on planting saplings over the council members’ fields.

“We thought we were poor without our gold. True riches were here all the time, the riches nature provides all living things,” said Peter.

Autumn brought a harvest unlike any other. At the harvest celebration, Peter addressed the town’s folk.

“The Mother Tree has shown us the way. Let us not be drawn by the lure of gold, and remember that we are also of the earth.”

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