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Once upon a time, a Grandfather led his grandchild up to an old tree. This tree had no leaves and was gnarled with many a broken limb, but the Grandfather went up and lovingly tended to the tree.

"Grandpa?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you doing what you are doing?"

"I am tending to the tree."

"But why?"

"This tree although barren is still living."

"So? I thought that we came here for a picnic," the child sighed.

"We have young whipper snapper, just be patient while I tend the tree."

"What shall I do till then?"

"Set out the picnic for us."

"Whatever," the child sighed again.

Then has the picnic was being set out, the Grandfather began his tale.

"You are wondering why I tend this tree."

"Well, it does seem to be a bit silly," giggled the child.

"I guess it does at that," chuckled the old man. " But the reason that I tend the tree is that I almost killed it."

"How?"

"Years ago, I was a Woodsman and I had chosen to chop it down for firewood. But has I was chopping it down, a Wood Nymph appeared and tried to stop me."

"She must have been too late."

"That she was."

"What happened next?"

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"Why are you molesting my tree human?"

"I did not know that it was your tree, where were you?"

"I was visiting my sister deep in the forest."

"I will stop chopping down your tree."

"It is too late, already its life drains away."

"What can I do?"

"My powers are almost gone, but if you take me as wife, our bonding will heal the tree."

"What of our children?"

"We will have only one child. After I give birth, you must raise our child."

"But why?"

"I must merge with the tree to keep us both alive."

"What can I do?"

"Come and tend the tree and when our child reaches puberty, bring our child here."

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"Grandpa, am I that child?"

"Yes, I am."

"Why are you so old?"

"Because I was gave my youth to the tree."

"Is that why I am so different?"

"Yes."

"That is why I am a girl with boy bit?"

"Yes, that is why I have loved you and let you be the girl that you are. But now that you have reached puberty, you must choose who you will be now."

"I will be the tree's Wood Nymph."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Grandpa."

"Why do you choose to be the tree's Wood Nymph?"

"She has given up her Life for the tree and I love trees."

Then the tree grew hale and hearty and the Wood Nymph appeared before them wearing a green gown.

"Thank you my child, your choice has healed us. Now your Father and I and the tree can live here in peace."

"But what about me?"

"Look at your new self my daughter."

"Momma! I am a girl now!!"

"Yes, now we can build a cottage here so that we that we can raise you our Princess."

"Am I also a Wood Nymph?"

"Yes my daughter and part human, that gives you your strength."

"What strength?"

"Your Love for trees will be passed on to your children."

"Well, I do have a boy that likes me, is he the one?"

"Yes my daughter, he too has been here and he too loves trees."

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Then they built the cottage and the Woodsman and Wood Nymph helped their daughter and her husband to raise her children in the ways of the forest.

Finis