Once upon a
long, long time there was a princess named Linda. Everyday she would walk from
her palace on the high mountain down to the valley and river below. She sat on
the rocks and watched the water flow by. She made friends with all the plants,
trees, and little rascals that would scurry by her pretty glass shoes.
She had a
favorite tree, Willow, that was really tall and beautiful. Princess Linda would
bring small gifts to the tree. Gifts like golden coins would lie at Willow’s
roots or pearl necklaces would hang from his branches. Princess Linda loved
Willow so much and Willow loved Linda.
Willow grew
right on the edge of the river and he sometimes worried that when Princess
Linda went to sit down she might slip right into the passing water. So everyday
Willow would grow and bend his branches close to the water with hopes of
protecting Princess Linda.
Well, one
day the clouds were extra sad and they just starting crying and raining all
over the place. Princess Linda didn’t let that stop her from visiting her
friend. She went down to that valley, slipping and sliding on the wet rocks and
muddy soil. Willow didn’t want Princess Linda to come that day, but there was
nothing the poor tree could do. Well, before you know it Princess Linda was
taking her last step to get to Willow and she went and slipped off of one of
the slippery rocks. Willow was so sad because there was nothing he could do to
help her. Princess Linda fell right into the rushing water and drowned.
Willow
tried to grow his branches long enough to reach Princess Linda, but he didn’t
grow fast enough. That’s how Willow got ta weepin’
And we call
‘em Weepin’ Willow trees ‘cuz they’re trees weepin’ for their princesses.
© Marlena Elmore 2005
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