March 27, 2014 - The Old Apple Tree

When laden with flowers, the old apple tree is stunningly beautiful.  When laden with fruit, she is bounteous and desirable.  But in the winter, the old apple tree reverts to her true form of the witch.  She waits on old roads for unsuspecting travelers and reaches into their sacks to steal their gold when they are not looking.  If a traveler be honest and true, he can see her rustling, bony fingers reaching toward him and he can escape.  But if a traveler be untrue and sly, the old witch will have him about the neck instantly, and if she takes only his gold, he will be lucky, indeed.