| The Willow by Janaka Stagnaro This is the story of Willow and how Willow came to be. This the story told to me by Willow for my son and all children. And even for adults, too, if they can get out of their heads, if only for a moment. . . . Long time ago, at the beginning of the new cycle of Grandmother Earth, the spirit of Willow approached this planet. Already there grew many tree people upon the Earth. They, too, were spirit but had taken form. There grew the great Sequoia, so tall and majestic, who could see over the whole world as a reminder of the need to see the whole picture before judging another. There grew, all knarled and twisted, Grandfather Oak, who although looked old, reminded all of the strength in age. So, too, grew the Birch people, white and pure, as a reminder of the untarnished Great Spirit. In addition, there grew Pine and Eucalyptus and Cedar and Banyon and many, many more. So many, in fact, that even the Creator had difficulty counting them all. And each possessing their own message. So when the spirit of Willow came to Grandmother Earth and saw the great nation of the tree people, she asked Great Spirit why she should take form, if so many existed already. And Great Spirit said to Willow: "There is never too many to express my Infinite Being. Each of the Tree Nation are needed to express My Being, and you Willow are no different. "You will be a reminder that though the Life Force that pushes through your being pushes upward in your growth, to kiss Grandfather Sun, that same force will also pull you down to touch Grandmother Earth, that none should forget her." And Willow asked: "But who would forget her--she who is maker of all that is form? Are there some among the Tree Nation who have forgotten her?" "No," Great Spirit replied, "none of the Tree Nation have forgotten her. Nor will the Four-Leggeds who will come later. Nor the Winged Ones. Nor those who will swim or crawl. Yet there comes those who will walk on two legs. Who will forget. Who will think they are separate: separate from the Earth; separate from all things; even separate from each other. "You will be a reminder for any of those Two-Leggeds who will stop under your shade and who will be still for a moment, of the wisdom to walk in humility in honor of the Grandmother of all things. To live in compassion towards all beings of the Earth. "You will teach that none can grow into the future without giving gratitude and honor for the roots of the past. And Willow became pleased at these words of Great Spirit, of her role upon the Earth. She happily took form in a seed. And the Life Force--the intention of Great Spirit--pulsed strong in the seed. Until it changed into a sapling. Then up and up Willow grew, drawn by her love for Grandfather Sun. Yet before Willow grew too high, she remembered her beginnings, and in love and thanksgiving reached down and touched Grandmother Earth. As she does to this day. copyright 2004 Janaka Stagnaro visit janakastagnaro.com |
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