Leander Park, Arvada, CO, where the re-creation of the Tree of Knowledge and the Ring of Stone has begun |
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In the Fall of the year, a festival occurred in the Hall of the Mountain King.
The festivities grew more and more raucous as the day wore on, until finally, just before midnight, the King of the Mountains became so excited that he accidentally blew the top off his great hall in a boisterous fit of laughter. Rocks and boulders from the great King’s roof were randomly strewn across the Village of Five Parks from one end to the other, some of which fell such that they obstructed the village’s stream bed.
The Tree of Knowledge witnessed this, and, in his subtle, wise tree way, attempted to warn the villagers of the impending danger. Not being attuned to the subtle ways of trees, the villagers did not notice the warning, and did nothing. When the Spring thaws came, and the snow melt began running down from the highest mountain peaks, the villagers became fearful that the boulders blocking the natural course of their stream would inevitably cause a flood, and drown their happy village. Many of the stones were so large that the villagers could not move them without outside help; and time was short; for the waters were already beginning to rise. The call for help was sent to all the neighboring villages, but no neighboring village could reach Five Parks in time. The situation was very grim, with no solution in sight.
But just as the villagers began to sink into hopeless despair, the Muse appeared, having heard the leafy rustle of the Great Tree’s warning. With a jaunty and frolicsome tune on his pipes, the Muse aroused the offending boulders into a vibrant dance.
Around and around went the Muse around the Wise Old Tree. Finally, as the full moon rose in the crisp Spring air, the Muse declared that the circle of stone be preserved as a place of frolic, storytelling, and for the teaching of the ways of trees.
The story did not end there, however, for the Village of Five Parks went on to thrive, becoming wise over time by the teachings of the Great Tree. Unfortunately, the Great Tree of Knowledge eventually succumbed to the howling Chinook Winds, and toppled to the ground with an enormous crash one windy Spring day.
All was not lost, however, because as luck, or wisdom, would have it, the Wise Old Tree had also passed on its vast knowledge to a circle of young Disciple Trees. The Disciple Trees stand to this day, at the edge of the ring of stone still facing the remaining stump of their great teacher.
And the Muse...well, if you look closely when the moon is full, and the stars are bright, his footsteps can be seen dancing around the circle of stones, as they gently sway to the echo of the Muse's pipes.
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