“Goddesses Blessing” by Sheila Elfinchild
All of my many years ever since I was a seed in the cold moist soil growing towards the sun, they have come. The band of sisters, beautiful goddesses that would come and dance away one moon‘s cycle with me. They would complain about men, how ones child was getting his milk teeth and make sacrifices to me. I saw and I remembered.
Soon the goddesses grew older and stopped coming, but their daughters still came. They danced the same old steps and wove theirs own in to it the endless stomping of feet on the forests earth. The dances were glorious and    mysterious beautiful and happy. I saw and I remembered.
A thousand moons of stories dances and prayers later many considered me scared. Men poured libations of wine and oil upon my roots for good harvest and rich crops. Women tied ribbons in my branches for healthy children and good marriages and I blessed them all. The goddesses settled down and became priestesses living in the grove.  They told men how much to pour and when, the women what color ribbon and where to tie it. The priestesses were paid in silver gold, and they traded for any thing they needed. Then as many good things do the priestesses went bad.
At first it was just one person stealing from me. The others saw the jewels she brought with the scared money and they grew envious and stole more. Instead of casting out the one rotten fruit they let her remain and she ruined them all. When I saw what was happening and stopped giving out my blessing. The pilgrims stopped coming and the money soon dried up and to survive the priestesses were forced to sell them selves. I saw all of this and remembered it all.
As the years wore on I had lost all hope that the grove would be pure again when Celia was born. She had one of the purest alive. I talked to her every night in her dreams. I spoke to her of the goddesses and the former glory of the priestesses and how they went bad. I told her about the pilgrims that came and herbs that healed people. She saw and she remembered.
Celia grew up strong and pure. I loved her as if she was my own seedling. Every day she came and poured libations over my roots. When men came for the priestesses she offered them advice and healing solutions. Soon more people came to see her instead of the priestesses All was good until Apollo came.
I have never like the gods especially that Apollo, and when he came to our woods hunting. I saw and knew no good would happen.
Apollo knew that he couldn’t hunt in my wood without paying homage to me. Celia was gathering her offering for the day. When Apollo strode in the clearing, it was clear he was jaded; “Where can I buy offerings?” he demanded.
Celia was about to answer when that Cupid, annoying baby with the wings, flew into the grove.
“You dare insult me,” screamed Cupid. “You will learn the power of my arrow!” and with that, he shot Apollo with an arrows. I knew that if Apollo saw Celia, he would fall instantly in love with her he would chase her to the end of the Earth.
“Celia run!” I cried.
She ran. Apollo opened his eyes and fell in love. He saw that she was running. For reasons beyond his control he chased after her.
“Please wait “he begged her “I love you.”
“You don’t love” cried Celia “It is only a spell that makes you act that way.” But Apollo’s love could not be stopped . He began the chase.
“Shenasta help me please.” Celia called.
I watched this all with abated breath. When I saw that there was no hope and I knew what I must do.
As I saw Celia become a tree I knew I was dying. Apollo was begging her to stop the change, but she couldn’t.
Apollo wept.
I saw and I forgot.