The Elder Tree’s Magic
Once upon a time, in a far-off kingdom lived a humble woodcutter named Thomas and his daughter, Rose. They dwelt in a tiny, albeit cozy cottage on the outskirts of the town, nearby a grand, old elder tree that witnessed various seasons change, around its overwhelming presence.
One winter, life turned harsher than usual. Snow enveloped their cottage, the forest, and the very path that led Thomas to the town. Their meager provisions were depleting rapidly and opportunities to earn their sustenance were scant, due to the chilling climate.
One day, a desperate Thomas, braved the snowstorm and ventured into the forest. As he approached the towering elder tree to chop some wood, he heard a faint, old voice pleading, 'Spare me, kind man! I have stood in this forest for centuries, providing shade, shelter, and nesting grounds.'
Thomas was astounded. He looked around but saw no one. 'Who speaks so earnestly?' he inquired. 'I am the Elder Tree that you intend to destroy,' the voice nestled within the rustling leaves replied. 'If you show benevolence and save me from the axe, I vow to help you in your bleak times.' Moved by the earnest plea, Thomas dropped his axe and returned home with empty hands but a warm heart.
Although Rose was taken aback when her father returned empty-handed, she supported his decision. Their next few days were arduous. They shivered in the cold, their bellies often empty, yet, their spirits stayed unbroken. On the seventh day after that incident, shading their eyes from the bright sunlight, they opened the door to find a huge pile of firewood, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a pouch full of gold coins. Bewildered at the anonymous benevolence, they found a scroll attached. It read, 'Kindness begets kindness, and so you shall receive. Your forbearance in sparing me shall not go unrewarded.'
It was signed merely as 'E'. Elated, they realized who their anonymous benefactor was. Thankful, they took only what they needed, decided never to waste, and to always help those in need.
As spring arrived, the Elder Tree's branches bloomed lush, greener than ever, full of bustling birds and critters. Thomas and Rose thrived too, managing to build a larger, warmer home and their lives remained infused with an abundance they had never known before.
Word about their miraculous fortune spread across the kingdom, reaching the ears of the greedy King. He ordered his men to cut down the elder tree and bring its magic to him. However, every cut, every chop was, in vain. The axes crumbled, and the tree stood resilient.
Furious at his men's incompetence, the King decided to do the deed himself. Swinging his royal axe at the tree, the king was flung back by an unforeseen force. A voice echoed, 'Only the heart that holds kindness holds the power to wield my magic.'
Humiliated, the King returned to his castle while the villagers rejoiced at this reestablished fact, 'Kindness indeed begets kindness.' The Elder tree's days of fear were conquered, and Thomas and Rose continued living contently, their lives enriched by the great tree's magic, and their hearts warmed by the kindness that they knew to show.
Later, it was not the material abundance that people remembered but the tale of kindness and respect for nature taught by a humble woodcutter and rewarded by a magical tree. Their story weathered through time, carried forward in folklore by generations to come, far and wide.