The tree nymph is usually a pleasant thing, cheeky and happy oft heard, a merry song to sing. But cross her at your peril for she has a mighty sting.
One day an apprentice wheelwright fair of face,long of limb in his eyes a smiling light came whistling passed her way. He was bonny he was fancy and he stole the heart of the tree nymph Tansy.
He wooed her and courted Tansy and she returned his favours, they had fun all Summer long and in Autumn the joys of love they savoured.
Winter came and Tansy was called to the forest deep,she told the lad she would be back in spring and that he had her heart to keep. She begged him to be true to her for she did not want to loose him, he laughed and promised on his soul that he’d be true. Kissed him long and hard and then whispered make sure you do!
Weeks past by and it grew so cold and the wheelwright missed having Tansy to hold, he missed her he really did . Then a young colleen turned his head and flipped his lid.
The feckless lad loss his heart again he did not mean to cause any pain. Well tell me, do men ever? He forgot Tansy, forgot his promise and his soul, well that was not too clever.
Now Christmas came and Christmas went together all this time our couple spent. They were so in love you see they did not think at all about the Nymph Tansy.
Finally the snow began to melt and spring was on the way, the wheelwright and his fair lady planned their wedding day.
The Church was full of flowers their families and friends were there everything
was perfect and love was in the air. Suddenly there was a clatter the sound of sudden wind not a gentle breeze but that of windows being blown in .
Everyone went silent in mid verse of a hymn all eyes turned towards the back of the church to see the amazing vision that was entering.
It was a beautiful vision bedecked in gold and green her eyes so blue right then the angriest any of them had ever seen.
What do you think that you are doing Tansy asked the wheelwright in front of the of the assembled guests. You swore that you would wait for me is this your very best? Everyone was silent, what would the groom say who was this strange woman storming in on this his wedding day.
You promised that you would wait for me I have only been gone one season and you have already forgotten me. The wheelwright look frightened his face a deathly white,he felt a burning start inside as he realized his plight.
Looking at the bride now Tansy asked a searching question do you still love this fool now that I have shown him up in his perfidious imperfection? Why yes I do replied the bride I am afraid I really do, and then unwisely she added I am the bride here not you!
Tansy was furious, she was really mad, she screamed at the congregation to go before she did something bad.
They did not need to be told twice they were off and running scared for their lives not knowing what was coming.
Alone at last Tansy and the bride and groom inside the church candles extinguished doors shut fast all was doom and gloom.
Tansy’s eyes flashed red as she addressed the groom, tell me wheelwright will you come with me or are you ready to meet your doom.
Flashing his eyes the cheeky wheelwright smiled and said my love I’ll not go with you, his young bride lowered her head.
On a roar Tansy screamed why you both deserve each other. She told them that they should go and not look back. Run, run she screamed cutting them no slack.
And so as they ran hand in hand together, through the church yard the angry nymph turned them into a tree thus locking them together trapped there forever.
The tree nymph is usually a pleasant thing, cheeky and happy oft heard to sing. Heed this tale spurn her at your peril for she has a mighty sting.
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