It was a rose-scented day in Spring, when the Apple Girl and the Oak Knight were standing at either end of a long table, ready to have lunch together.
It was quite extraordinary, for the Apple Girl had sent the invitation out to the Oak Knight for the very first time, and he had taken a while to say yes, sending back his note of acceptance through the white dove.
Now, all the birds sat on the branches of the apple tree and the oak tree, stretching out above the long table, as they were curious to know all about the lunch and conversation happening between the young Apple Girl and the seasoned Oak Knight. For once, they would see his face, for he would certainly take off his helmet, while having lunch with the dainty Apple Girl.
She was as beautiful as a young girl could be. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes were green leaves, and her lips were petals of apple blossom. Besides, all the birds and the animals knew her for being quick-witted, inquisitive, and fun to be around.
The Oak Knight took off his helmet and you can imagine the wonder of all the birds when they saw that the Oak Knight was a… young woman in her bloom.
She bowed. Her dark, straight hair was short, and orderly, and her armour glinted in the sunlight.
When she sat at her end of the table, the oak branches formed a green canopy above her head.
“I am glad to be here, Apple Girl,” she said, “It was quite nice of you to invite me for lunch.”
“I am glad to meet you,” the Apple Girl said, “I thought it would be fun to meet you, finally… I thought you were a bit older though…”
The Oak Knight Woman laughed: “Were you expecting a grave man with a silver beard?”
“Quite so!” nodded the Apple Girl with a smile, showing her irresistible dimples.
The birds in the branches tweeted their messages for the other animals, so that they relayed the news live.
“Tell me your story,” said the Apple Girl, as fox waiters poured fairy cider of the purest kind in their goblets. “How long have you lived in the ancient oak?”
“All of my life, just as you have in the bright apple tree, I guess.”
“But you are so young!”
“I will always be, but make no mistake: I have seen quite a few millennia pass by.”
The Apple Girl opened her eyes and ears wide, to take in every detail. She had admired the ancient oak from afar for so long… she wanted to know everything about the Oak Knight Woman.
So the Oak Knight Woman said: “I was born long ago, when the wind carried oak seeds on its back, and I was never as young as you are. In fact, I was always the age I am now, and will
always be. I witnessed the first war among the humans, and tried to be a messenger of peace.
Whenever a warrior fell asleep under my branches, or nestled between my roots, I whispered words of inspiration and led their souls onto dream journeys, so that they could remember who they were called to be on this planet. The few ones who remembered their visions changed their lives; some became hermits, some preachers, some peace workers, spreading all over the earth.
Many, however, did not remember their dreams, because they were in the deep stupor of illusion, and carried on with their senseless wars… but tell me about you.”
The Apple Girl said: “I am Eve’s daughter, her forgotten girl child. I was born before mum and dad were sent away from the Earthly Paradise. They were so distressed that they left me behind.
And I was born with my wits around, and could speak from day one, so I asked the Archangel to let me stay, and live in the apple tree where my mother had had that notorious chat with the serpent. The scribes got it all wrong, but that is a story for another time.
The day I turned thirteen I wished to always stay this age. My wish was granted, maybe because the apple tree has been feeling great since I moved in. I even made friends with the serpent.”
The fox waiters were bringing in Spring soup, while crows were holding baskets filled with fairy bread in their beaks.
The Apple Girl and the Oak Knight Woman tasted each and every morsel and spoonful, closing their eyes. It all tasted so delicious!
“What do you reckon, what can be done to awaken the human race?” asked the Apple Girl. “They are so gloomy and boring.”
The Oak Knight Woman sighed. A deep silence ensued. Even the birds stopped their tweets, waiting. Only a zephyr blew playfully in the Apple Girl’s curls.
At length, the Oak Knight Woman said: “I regret not having spoken louder!”
“Leave all regret behind – said the Apple Girl – think now! I’ll tell you what. Let’s join our roots underground, so that we can communicate quicker at all times, and when we’ve got a great idea, we can act on it straight away.”
The Oak Knight Woman, who had been brooding over the past and was at a loss for solutions, brightened up. Her brow smoothed out, and her voice became clear with joy.
“From now on, you will be my little sister, and together we will concoct ways to awaken this world to beauty.”
“Yes!” nodded the Apple Girl, who jumped off her chair with happiness, “I will cheer you up too.”
“And I will protect you,” said the Oak Knight Woman.
It was a momentous time, and all the birds tweeted like crazy. And since then, that Spring Day has been celebrated with joy and delight among all creatures, including humans, even if they have forgotten how it all came to pass.
