4 years ago I wrote this short story for a video for my Mum. During the lockdowns and in the early years of the pandemic, I got into making videos for family members and friends, (I had a lot of time on my hands). Up until the pandemic started I had regularly returned home see Mum for Easter. Because travel was still restricted and I was concerned about passing anything onto Mum, I stayed in Cardiff.
When I was little, I had an illustrated version of The Three Trees, a Bible story that told the tale of three trees on a hill, each contributing in some way to the life of Jesus. I am sharing this story not as someone who is particularly religious anymore, but as a wider story about intention, about purpose and the role we can play in shaping the world. I also added in a brief interaction between Jesus and Thomas, taken from the Bible. Doubting Thomas was referenced at both my maternal grandparents’ funerals, it hit me hard both times. I too, am a doubting Thomas, but it is stories like this that help me overcome my doubt.
Three trees stood atop a hill.
The first tree looked to the stars, dreaming of becoming a treasure chest, decorated in gold and fine jewels, hoping to hold the greatest treasure of all.
The second tree looked towards a snaking river that flowed into an endless sea, dreaming of becoming a ship whose bows would endure even the mightiest of storms.
The third tree looked down at the town nestled in the valley below – a town bustling with people with little time for God. The third tree did not dream of being made into anything. She wanted to remain on that hillside, pointing towards heaven, towards God.
One day, woodcutters ascended the hill, and took their axes to the three trees.
The first tree was glad, for when they were cut down, they were taken to a carpenter’s workshop. However, instead of being crafted into a treasure chest, the first tree was turned into a lowly trough for animals.
The second tree was pleased, for when they were cut down, they were taken to a boat yard. However, instead of being turned into a mighty ship, the second tree became a meagre fishing boat.
The third tree was crestfallen, for she was cut down and not left to grow tall, pointing towards heaven. Instead she was split into beams, chopped into planks and dumped at the edge of a lumber yard – abandoned, bereft, hopeless.
Time passed. The trees lost sight of their dreams.
One night a golden star lit the inky purple sky, and a young couple with an infant child came to a stable in Bethlehem. They rested their precious babe in a lowly trough, and the first tree remembered their dream – to hold the greatest treasure of all.
Years passed. A weary traveller and his friends arrived at a shore, and found the fishing boat, made from the second tree. The traveller and his friends pushed the boat into the water, and climbed aboard. A mighty storm did come, and the wind did blow and great towering waves did nearly sink the boat. But the traveller, defiant and calm, stood up and commanded the storm to stop. The second tree remembered their dream – to endure even the mightiest of storms. And in so doing, it carried the greatest cargo of all.
One Friday, violent men came and yanked the third tree’s beams from a forgotten heap. She was turned into a cross, and was dragged through the streets of the town by the traveller, wearing a crown of thorns, body bruised and bloody. He was flogged and spat on, the towns people jeering as he passed. The third tree was scared for the man who carried her.
The third tree was carried to the top of the hill and erected as a warning to those who wished to defy the authorities. The traveller who had carried her was strapped to her wooden beams, and his hands nailed into her. She felt ashamed to be the bearer of such cruelty, she felt ashamed to be the bearer of such pain.
Pleased with their work, the violent men and the jeering crowds left the man to die.
She felt the life of the man seep away.
That night, under the cover of darkness, the man’s friends came and removed him from the third tree’s bows. They wrapped the man’s body and took him to a cave, where they laid him to rest.
Saturday passed without incident. Night came, the stars replaced day, and when the sun rose, some of the traveller’s friends visited the cave. They were shocked to find the cave was no longer sealed as they had left it. The cave was open, and their friend’s body was gone.
One of the follower’s friends, Thomas, was haunted by this. Believing that robbers had taken his friend’s body. He walked, to rid himself of his anger and despair.
Thomas came upon a clearing, and found a robed man sitting on a felled tree. Without looking over his shoulder the man said in a familiar voice. ‘Thomas, come sit with me.’
Eyes wide, voice trembling Thomas replied, ‘your voice – it sounds like a friend I lost.’
The man stood up and turned to face Thomas – it was the traveller, Thomas’ friend, who only days before had been nailed to the cross and died.
‘It…it can’t be…’ said Thomas, trembling.
The traveller presented his hands to Thomas – bearing the scars of the nails so viciously hammered through skin and bone.
Smiling, the traveller said, ‘Thomas it is me. Trust in me. Have faith. I have returned.’
And Thomas fell to his knees and said, ‘My Lord and God.’
The traveller said softly. ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’
The third tree saw the traveller and his friends, rejoicing at the traveller’s return. She had played her part in his story. It was then she remembered her dream – to stand atop a hill, pointing towards heaven. There she stood, no longer bearing the dying man. Whenever anyone was to think of her, they would be reminded of the pain and sacrifice, as well as hope and peace. As the cross, she would become a symbol – representing the point between earth and heaven, always pointing skyward, always pointing towards God.
Wishing you all, whether you celebrate Easter or just look forward to an extended weekend (in the UK at least), a peaceful weekend.
Thanks for reading.
I know this story too! I absolutely love your rendition of it!