The Gossip Tree

‘Nana, Nana, please tell us the story again.’ Shaindel pleaded. This was the second time she clutched the rim of her grandmother’s skirt with excitement and determination. A minute or two longer and she would go all teary and everyone would have to jump to their feet and comfort her.

Her grandmother glanced with a faint smile on the face and promised to join the group lined on the chairs and the floor in the playroom.

‘Just let me do one more thing,’ she said softly. Shaindel obediently moved back to her place on the chair, put both hands on the lap and waited for the grandmother to enter the room. With a sigh, Nana joined her red-faced, mischievous progeny, who had to suppress their need for constant fidgeting to receive much desired prize–a beautiful story.

They have all heard it before. At least ten times, if not more, but the way Nana told it, taking the solemn and ceremonial demeanor, her voice deep and calming throughout the most challenging parts of the narrative, kept the children transfixed on each word flying off her lips:

‘Many years ago, when our little town was even smaller, and all people knew each other, everyone greeted their neighbors with the tip on the hat, a smile, or an approving nod; peace and respect kept affairs in order and everyone happy. There were few secrets to be shared. There were no shamefaced drifters to be found in or around this little town of ours. Thus, we lived happily for many seasons.

Then a romance happened. It was supposed to come to a good ending, but it turned awry and our blessing was spoiled. The girl was beautiful, fair as a white rose, pure, kind. The boy was very much in love with her. They have not revealed their love to their parents but met in secret.

‘At least in the beginning,’ the boy said.

‘Until our hearts become one,’ the girl whispered.

Their love grew stronger, and they met every day by the beautiful old tree near the brook. That tree had been there for a long time, shot up tall and straight with luscious foliage and thick branches. The couple kissed in its shadows, embraced sheltered by green leaves.

Not long after their love affair was off to a good start, someone saw them hugging under the tree and felt dismayed. This person went to someone else and told on the lovers. The rumors circulated awhile, then reached the parents of the couple. Each time the talebearing happened, people would say ugly things about the girl. When the parents finally got involved, all stories told and re-told were pure slander. However, no one cared about the truth. The tongues were wagging, and faces frowned, and heads turned aside when they passed the girl’s or boy’s parents in the street.

Of course, as everyone would imagine, both families were furious when they heard all the gossip. The parents of the girl locked her in the room and the family of the young man moved away, taking him along. The beautiful, innocent, kind girl never married. After her beloved left, she grew pale and weary, withered like a flower. One winter she got very sick and died. Never again did she go to spend the time by the old tree near the brook.

The people of the town, however, would often rest in the shadow of the luscious foliage under the thick branches. That is when it started to gossip.’

‘What did?’ asked Shaindel.

‘The tree. It was a magic tree, and no one noticed before,’ responded Nana. ‘It would whisper to those people who rested in its shade. It would tell them the secrets, the ugly secrets they did not know. Hideous, treacherous acts of their husbands or brothers, neighbors and friends. They would not have known where the voice came from, but always heard it while sitting under the tree. Some learned about being cheated on, others about the lies they were told by those they trusted.

All evil schemes have proven to be true. Those who designed them could not imagine how their wickedness became known. The peaceful little town was no more. There was discord and scorn everywhere. Families were broken, partnerships ended. No one, not even for a moment, suspected this was the revenge of a tree. The revenge for the true love they destroyed with their evil speech.’

‘What did you learn from this tale?’, as always, Nana asked at the end.

The eyes wide open with excitement, the children responded in chorus:

‘Guard your mouth, tame your tongue.’

‘What happened to the boy, Granny?’, asked Shaindel.

‘When he learned that his beloved died and about the misfortunes that ruined his old hometown, he wrote this story and many others that we tell to teach you to be good people.’

‘Is the tree still standing?’, asked another little voice.

‘Yes, but people do not come anywhere near it. Why would anyone want to rest in a shade of the tree that gossips?’