Can you solve the Riddle of the Trees? Below are six verses of prose, but what are they describing?
The Riddle of the Trees
As sure as stone the living monument stands. Though blasted hollow by fire and time, the King still bears his
crown. He is vested in regal vines, which writhe motionless about his great girth. A veteran unshaken by the
timeless winds that have sculpted his enduring form. His old wounds gape, but they do not bleed. Strengthened
by the imperfections of time, he still stands tall, although ignorant men have scarred him sore. He is much we
would do well to be, strong in body and heart, and never stirred to anger, but standing firm and always
protecting those who depend upon him, and those that dwell within him and partake in his life. He is never
wasteful and he never tires. Understand this noble well, without him the Kingdom may fall, within him lie the
greatest and deepest secrets of all.
Her fine young figure is clothed in smooth white satin. In spring she dons upon her head a veil of pale green,
shimmering in the warm breeze. Her luring perfume is as fresh as the April rains. In autumn her veil is the
golden-yellow of the Sun. As the Sun fades so her veil falls gently to the ground and she scatters new life upon
the air.
His elegant stature reaches boldly towards the nourishing light. Tall and great he proudly stands, a great
column of living stone. Though not as stubborn as his appearance would suggest, he prefers the wisdom of old
and he has much to tell of ancient secrets. Many do not seek his wisdom in their ignorance, but if you wish he
can give you the key to all good things past. Wizened before his time he houses many secrets of life within his
chambers, though few dwell beneath his mighty shadow. In autumn you can not mistake his splendid golden
gown.
Metal made to last, the great body stands frozen in time. Sinew and muscle tensed, waiting to move, and the
expression upon its great face changing slower than the human eye can see. Rest beckons within its cathedral
vaults. Enter the inner sanctum and emerge anew, cleansed of all past dross. You need not hasten to return,
for it will wait, and endure until the end. It stands throughout time as a living portal, to the mysteries that await
us all beyond.
In the stillness of the cold, her light can be seen. Though her royal skin is pale, her crown shines radiant in the
gloomy grey. This most royal of trees stands motionless in dance with the mighty oak, but for now the oak bears
not his crown; his partner is guardian of life now, while the living dream. Dream safely beneath this watchful
spirit.
Through the shifting Moon-glow of the mist, you can see the ancient woman hanging her shadow across the
opal waters. Underestimate her not, her weaknesses are her strengths. Ignore her not, she will inspire the
mystic and frighten the fool. Although her skin is deeply fissured by time, her heart is young and the water of
life itself surges through her veins.
The Riddle of the Trees
As sure as stone the living monument stands. Though blasted hollow by fire and time, the King still bears his
crown. He is vested in regal vines, which writhe motionless about his great girth. A veteran unshaken by the
timeless winds that have sculpted his enduring form. His old wounds gape, but they do not bleed. Strengthened
by the imperfections of time, he still stands tall, although ignorant men have scarred him sore. He is much we
would do well to be, strong in body and heart, and never stirred to anger, but standing firm and always
protecting those who depend upon him, and those that dwell within him and partake in his life. He is never
wasteful and he never tires. Understand this noble well, without him the Kingdom may fall, within him lie the
greatest and deepest secrets of all.
Her fine young figure is clothed in smooth white satin. In spring she dons upon her head a veil of pale green,
shimmering in the warm breeze. Her luring perfume is as fresh as the April rains. In autumn her veil is the
golden-yellow of the Sun. As the Sun fades so her veil falls gently to the ground and she scatters new life upon
the air.
His elegant stature reaches boldly towards the nourishing light. Tall and great he proudly stands, a great
column of living stone. Though not as stubborn as his appearance would suggest, he prefers the wisdom of old
and he has much to tell of ancient secrets. Many do not seek his wisdom in their ignorance, but if you wish he
can give you the key to all good things past. Wizened before his time he houses many secrets of life within his
chambers, though few dwell beneath his mighty shadow. In autumn you can not mistake his splendid golden
gown.
Metal made to last, the great body stands frozen in time. Sinew and muscle tensed, waiting to move, and the
expression upon its great face changing slower than the human eye can see. Rest beckons within its cathedral
vaults. Enter the inner sanctum and emerge anew, cleansed of all past dross. You need not hasten to return,
for it will wait, and endure until the end. It stands throughout time as a living portal, to the mysteries that await
us all beyond.
In the stillness of the cold, her light can be seen. Though her royal skin is pale, her crown shines radiant in the
gloomy grey. This most royal of trees stands motionless in dance with the mighty oak, but for now the oak bears
not his crown; his partner is guardian of life now, while the living dream. Dream safely beneath this watchful
spirit.
Through the shifting Moon-glow of the mist, you can see the ancient woman hanging her shadow across the
opal waters. Underestimate her not, her weaknesses are her strengths. Ignore her not, she will inspire the
mystic and frighten the fool. Although her skin is deeply fissured by time, her heart is young and the water of
life itself surges through her veins.
The River of Dreams. Enjoy your trip!
