Stories About Trees

Discover a unique collection of timeless tales and myths where trees are both protectors and protagonists, revealing hidden truths, natural wonders, and age-old wisdom. These stories unfold across diverse themes, including the magic of nature, folklore, seasonal cycles, and valuable life lessons, each story featuring trees as central symbols or characters.

Myths of Magic and Transformation In ancient and mystical settings, these tales explore the supernatural qualities of trees and their connection to magical events. The Ash-Tree tells of a nobleman who unwittingly invites a curse upon himself after accusing a woman of witchcraft; years later, an eerie death uncovers a secret hidden within an old ash tree. The Enchanted Elm follows a prince transformed into a tree by a witch, only to be saved by a compassionate girl who defends the enchanted tree from harm. Daphne, the Child of the Morning tells the story of the nymph Daphne, who turns into a laurel tree to escape the pursuit of Apollo, her transformation preserving her freedom in an eternal form. In The Tree of Swords, a magical pear tree has the power to reverse a spell cast on a princess, transforming her back from a cow to her true form with the help of a brave youth.

Cautionary Tales and Moral Lessons These stories highlight the wisdom trees convey through their presence, often illustrating the dangers of greed and pride. The Trees and the Axe tells of a man who uses a gift from the trees against them, teaching the consequences of trusting those with hidden intentions. The Farmer and the Apple-Tree shows a farmer’s realization of the hidden value in what he had considered worthless, discovering the honey within the hollow trunk. In The Walnut-Tree, a tree laments how its generous bounty leads to damage by those seeking to claim its fruit without regard for its wellbeing. The Oak and the Reeds follows an Oak who scorns the flexibility of Reeds, yet in a fierce storm, it’s the Oak that is uprooted while the Reeds survive.

Folklore and the Seasons These stories emphasize the rhythms of nature, the changing seasons, and the roles trees play in these cycles. The Fall of the Leaf describes how trees prepare for winter, pulling nutrients from their leaves before they fall, an act that sustains them through the cold. In Winter’s Herald, a herald announces the coming of winter, prompting trees and animals to prepare. November Woods depicts the transformation of the woods in late autumn, where trees and their companions work together to prepare for winter. Prince Winter introduces the personified Prince of Winter as he brings snow and cold, while Prince Autumn ushers in a vibrant fall, each tree preparing for the inevitable change.

Trees as Symbols of Resilience and Wisdom Trees in these stories demonstrate strength, resilience, and quiet wisdom. The Great Trees highlights the resilience of early blooming species, such as maples and elms, that flower before their leaves appear. In The Kind Old Oak, a wise Oak protects the violets growing near its roots from the harsh winter cold by covering them with its leaves. The Royal Oak recounts how King Charles II evaded capture by hiding in a towering oak, symbolizing both refuge and the resilience of royalty. The Oak And The Woodcutters tells of a mountain oak used for wedges, illustrating the pain of sacrifice for a greater purpose.

Childhood Stories and Seasonal Adventures Trees also spark wonder and adventure in the tales of Uncle Wiggily, where animals and nature aid in whimsical journeys. In Uncle Wiggily And The Pine Tree, the titular rabbit finds himself stuck to a pine tree but learns the importance of pine cones. Uncle Wiggily And The Beech Tree shows a beech tree helping Wiggily escape a bear. Uncle Wiggily And The Sycamore Tree features a sycamore tree providing buttons for Wiggily’s friend’s shoes, turning nature into an everyday helper.

Each story within this collection offers an unforgettable glimpse into the mysterious and meaningful world of trees, with lessons and legends