THE PUSSY WILLOW TREE

Evening Post, Issue 28, 1 August 1936, Page 20

THE PUSSY WILLOW TREE

(Original.)

Once upon-a time, many, many years ago, there was a tree that grew on the outskirts of a grim. and forbidding forest. Inside the thick wood were doaens of great tree monarchs, thick of Kmb and girth, but this tree was far different. from any other forest shrub. She perched on the side of a clear, wonderfully blue, and transparent pool, lifting her slender branches with their fresh, 'green leaves. skywards. , "The willow tree," she was called, "the.'dainty little,willow." The spirit of the pool, a beautiful maiden , with dark gold .vhair - that streamed down 'to her feet, loved her own special tree, but she- was grieved; For a short time each year the willow tree. was shaking and shivering and quivering. Her branches were long, thin, and brown, and stretched upwards to. the cold grey skies. The spirit was sad; something must be done to keep the tree warm and cosy in the cold months. She decided to call a meeting of the other spirits, then something could be done, perhaps. The spirits met under the drooping willow tree and conversed for some time, but with no effect. Just as all were giving it up as hopeless there was a scurrying .and, whirling sound and down from, the sky' on a brown broomstick came an old witch in a flowing grey goWn. .„,, ;. "A lot of fools,'I.'she isaid imockingly to the spirits, r "Hist!.| And listen- to me. If you1 want lo keep that willow •^ree warm "* call on irife. One' heeds brains for this job." She walked, across to the willow tree *nd dropped something—no one ever 'Ktiew what, although one spirit declared it was a silver diamond, and an-cther-4 grey stone, on to its stretching *>*2«:hes. "Watch for two 'moons," she said, ss she rose over the tree tops, "and ihep. look the day . afterwards—and you shall see what you shall see." For two moons the spirits watched and on the last day what did they see but a dear, wee, furry pussy with whiskers and two almond-shaped eyes, running, up and down .the willow'tree. The spirits tried to catch him but as they did so down came the old witch from the sky, and when she rose once more his young Lordship, Mr. Pussy, went wlthvher.'';;'^:;"'Si >?D.;-i,v ::" '■;. "A lot of good he did,"'the spirits aald angrily, amongst themselves. But he did do some good, though