The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-04-11
Forest Myths.

]
Once upon n time, says a tale widely
spread in Asia, four travellers spent q
night ia forest, and agreed that one oi
them should keep watch by turns while
the others slept. The first watcher was
carpenter. by way Of passing the
/ time, lao took his al, and out OF the
I stem Of "A tree lying PROSTATE hard by,
( fashioned the form Of woman, sbapely
ia figure and comely in face. Then lac
4 woke one Of his comrades, and lay down
81 rest. The second watcher was a tailor.
Aud when hs saw the woman lying on
the ground, he produced his work
/ basket and bundle 0f stuffh, aud clothed
her handsomely from head 10 foot Then
he, too, resumed his hlumber. after hAv-
ing aroused the third Of the party, who
was a ieweler. And the ieweler was
struck by the sight Of a fair and we'll
dressed female form leaning against 3
neighbOring tree, and he opened his eAs-
kets, and decked her with rings, aud
necklaces, and bracelets. Then he called
the last Of the party, who was a holy
man, strong in prayer and incAntati0n,
aud went 10 sleep. And when the fourth
watcher saw the wooden woman, 40 well
dressed and decked, he set 10 work, and
by spells and prayers turned her wood
into flesh aud blood, and inspired her
with life. just then his three compa-
mons awoke, and gazed with wonder
and admiption at the lovely creature
who stood before them. simultaneously
each Of the four travellers claimed her as
his wife; the carpenter because be had
framed her, the tailor because he lad
dressed her, the leweler because he had
adorned her, and the holy man because
lac had given her life. A fierce d. pute
arose. The authorities Of the neighbor-
ing village were in vain appealed TO; the
problem, As 30 which of the four had
most claim b the hand Of the disputed
bride, was too difficult for them 10 solve.
At last it was resolved 10 submit the ease
to a higher court The claimants, the
judges and the audience all went out 10
the cemetery, and there prayed for \
decision from on high. While the prayer
went up the woman leaned against a
tree. Suddenly the tree opened, and
the woman entered il, and was seen no
more As she disappeared, voice from
on high was heard saying, 4" To its origin
shall every created thing return" The
NEUROLOGICAL core Of this story is the
idea that human and tree life may be
connected. The rest Of il has been
supplied by teachers who wished 20
inculcate the doctrine that all things
return 90 their FIRST elements, and mar
rators desirous Of framing one of the
numerous stories involving q problem
or puzzle capable of various solutions
The leading idea has been better pre-
served in tbe following modern Greek
f0lk-Jale: There Was once a chlldless
wife. who used 30 lament, saying, II
only had a child, were II but a laurel
berry," And heaven sent her n golden
laurel berry, but It's value was not re-
cogniEed, and il was thrown away. From
il sprang laurel which CLEANED with
golden tWigs. Al 1t Prince, while FOL.
lowing the chase. wondered greatly. And
determining 20 return 10 il, he ordered
his cook 10 prepare n dinner for him be-
meath It's shade. He was obeyed. But
during the Temporary absence of the
cook, the tree opened, and forth came q
fair maiden. who strewed a handful Of
salt over the viRnds, and then returned
into the tree, which Immediately closed
upon her. The Prince returned and
sooldcd the cook for oversalting the din
ner. The cook declared his innocence,
bat in vain. The next day the same
occurred. So on the third day the Prince
kept watch. The tree opened, and the
maiden came forth. But before she
could return into the tree, the Prince
caught hold Of her and carried her OF.
After q time she escaped from him, ran
back 10 The tree, and called upon il 20
open. But il remained shut 80 sbe
had 10 return 20 the Prince. And after
a while he deserted her II was not till
after long wandering that she found HIM
again, and became his royal oonsort.
Hahn thinks this story Is founded on the
Hellenic belief in Dryads; but il belongs
TO an earlier neurological family than
the Hellenic. though the Drgad and the
Laurcl.maiden are undoubtedly hns-
women. Long before the Drynds and
breads had received from the sculptur-
esaue Greek mind their perfection uf
human form and face, trees we're credited
with woman-like inhabitants capable Of
doing good and i'll, and with powers OF
their own, apart from those possessed by
the supernatural tenants Of banning and
blessing. .- Contemporary Rericlc.