2a
Into a great tree a small worm did go
33
It wormed its way inwards and soon it did grow
2f
The tree was unhappy but what could it do?
36
It stood there in silence: the worm grew and grew
2f
The tree was unhappy but what could it say
30
The worm kept on growing the tree sank away
5
30
The worm was so greedy it ate more each day
32
And each day it ate more the tree shrank away
32
The worm was so loathsome it felt no disgrace
3b
The birds had been silenced the sun shunned that place
2e
And all of the forest grew fearful to see
31
What terrible fate lay in store for the tree
5
38
The worm grew so monstrous its greed knew no bounds
32
The smell was so awful if poisoned the ground
34
And all of the creatures that lived in the wood
3b
Were sickened and starving the worm spoiled their food
39
The birds would not sing and the sun could not shine
32
The forest lay dirty and blackened with grime
5
33
Now down in the forest a young man went riding
35
He passed by the great tree and saw it was dying
35
The leaves and the bark were all rotten and rife
38
The tree had been poisoned and drained for its life
33
He stripped of a piece of the bark of the tree
3b
And straight’way he know what the right cure should be
5
33
The man built a fire and chopped down the tree
37
The worm started screaming it could not break free
3a
It trashed and it lashed but it could net break loose
31
Trapped in that tree like a thief in a noose
31
The worm burst asunder a vile smelling crust
30
He hacked it to pieces and burnt it to dust
5
32
The forest seemed clearer and peacful at last
37
Like after a storm when the rainclouds have passed
34
And although the great tree was fallen and dead
35
They knew from the ashes a new life would spread
34
Yes although the great tree had fallen and died
34
They knew from the ashes a new one would thrive
5
39
Now years may have passed since the tale i have told
38
Yet the truth of this story does still seem to hold
35
Although from a great tree a small worm may grow
33
That eats it with poison and tortures its soul
34
The worm can be killed yet the tree be not dead
3b
For from the roots of the elder a new life will spread
4