"The Legend of the Dogwood Tree,"

Submitted by Mrs. Pearl A. Ginther

There is a legend that at the time of the Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber of the Cross. To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree.

And Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed this. And in his gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering said to it, "Because of your regret and sadness 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 shall be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, that all who see it will remember me."

To this day every blossom upon the pink and the white dogwood trees reflect that message of Easter.

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