Zech's Story

"There is a legend, that at the time of Jesus Christ's Crucifixion the dogwood was the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed this, and in his suffering said to it: Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross...two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."

-- http://pr.utk.edu/ut2kids/dogwood/

Curiously, in researching the tree, I found that, not only are the "petals" not petals (they are actually called bracts and are there to protect the "crown" in the middle that is the actual flower), but also that the "flowering" variety (that is, those boasting the "petals" that are said to have been so affected by the Crucifixion of Christ) is not native to Europe but the Eastern US.

What does this have to do with anything? Very little except that the "legend" of the tree is why I (and Zechs) chose it, and since I cannot, in good conscience, place a tree where it does not belong, I've assumed that this tree is a Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, native to Europe and lacking the significant characteristics of its American sibling. I tell you this in hopes that you might make the desired associations, despite the lack of any direct physical connection.

That said, if it's there, that doesn't mean I put it there. Just because you see it, that doesn't mean it IS there. Even if you do not see it, that doesn't mean it isn't there. Just because I put it there, doesn't mean you will see it, and if you do, that doesn't mean you didn't put it there yourself.

Right?