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Introduction
Nature stories, myths and legends about plants and animals have been told for many centuries and sometimes even date back thousands of years. They are ‘living stories’, by which is meant that they alter in the course of time,
because they are modified by the predominating culture and by the storyteller’s preferences.
A plant or animal comes far more to life for many people, young and old, when it figures in a story or an anecdote. A good nature story ensures that they are instilled with a sense of wonder; they look and listen more carefully. So when they see a skylark, they will think about the story of why it sings as it flies through the sky. Or during a walk in the woods they will remember why the oak keeps its leaves in winter. Each month a story appears on this site about a plant, animal, bird, insect or tree from Western Europe.
In 2003 this nature story site was started in The Netherlands for the benefit of nature guides wanting to take groups of people on nature excursions. In 2008 the translation of the stories into German and French were added, followed by English in 2009.
Click on the menu above to access the other stories or background information.
Everyone is welcome to use the stories for nature excursions or courses. For publication purposes prior permission must be requested.
© text and photos: Els Baars, Holland, unless otherwise indicated.
English translation: Sarah Hopman-Edge
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Tale of the month
Why the SYCAMORE MAPLE has five points
(nr 30, april 2012)
Nowadays sycamore maple seedlings spring up in our woods and parks. Conservationists are quick to label them ‘weeds’, because the young saplings rapidly overshadow other saplings and woodland plants. Maple is a hard wood with a silk-like sheen often used in making musical instruments and furniture. With its five points the tree’s leaf has the form of a hand. These five extremities are a permanent reminder of the royal family Acer, a family torn by greed and jealousy resulting in the drama related in this Hungarian fairy tale. Draw near and listen...
First, a little background information: in the Middle Ages a certain King Acer was ruler over one of the many colonies which together now make up Europe. In those dark times a king with only daughters was to be pitied: sons were essential for the survival of a small kingdom.
The Acer Royals have three fine daughters. The Princesses Campestra and Noor are two beautiful and charming young ladies who try winning the heart of young princes in particular who live in nearby kingdoms. Platana, the youngest of the three is also the tallest. She is well-built, brave and strong: neither common nor desirable qualities in a young princess. People are often heard whispering to one another: “Thank goodness,” they say, “she has such an extraordinarily beautiful white, silky fair skin.” But Platana’s most striking quality is without doubt to read the rest of the story, please click here
photo © (Click once to enlarge)
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