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A story of hope, faith and second chances....  Strangled and stunted, shielded from view, the Old Branch lay silently in the deep, dark forest. Nestled tightly in a clump of greenery and larger branches, he rarely saw the light of day anymore. No, the Stranger had seen to that, many years ago. It had snuck in gradually, so the Old Branch (then a Young Branch, bursting with new life and energy) hadn't really noticed. The Young Branch had foolishly believed he was invincible, like most youngsters do. He had believed that nothing could hold him back, that he would grow strong and tall and majestic, as was his birthright. But alas, the Stranger crept in further, winding its sinuous length around and around the Young Branch, slowly squeezing the life out of him. The Young Branch could not fight this Stranger, for it was not in his nature to do so. He gasped and struggled for life, but eventually accepted that the Stranger was stronger than he. Though he despaired at his demise, he was aware that he and the Stranger shared the same objective: to grow and live, to survive, to bask in the glorious rays of the Father and to soak in the life-giving tears of the Mother. Each of them yearned to realize their full potential on Earth, and it was unfortunate that one must die so the other could live. The Young Branch was rapidly becoming Old, as sorrow and defeat dimmed his Light and the Stranger wrung the life out of him. At last accepting his Fate, the Old Branch drifted to sleep, his dreams of majesty and grandeur echoing in his heart. Perhaps Next Time he would thrive. Perhaps Next Time he would be given a chance to survive and become all that nature had intended him to become. He just knew that he had amazing potential, if only he would be given the chance to realize it. Years passed, and the Old Branch slept on. Hidden from view, snuggled silently in a forest of deep green and shadow, he was aware of much, but capable of nothing. He could not move at all, for his bonds held him tightly. Yet he observed, watched and learned, and grew in wisdom. His body lay choked and withered while his spirit grew strong and wise. One gray morning, the Old Branch sensed a Man moving past, but this was not unusual. Nature-seekers frequently traveled the path near the Old Branch, but never had one of them actually stopped to look. Most continued hurriedly on, ever frantic in their quest for "Nature" - often failing to note that "Nature" was always around them, and more importantly, within them. But, to the Old Branch's surprise, this day was different, and this Man was different. Instead of passing hurriedly by as so many had done before, this Man stopped and backed up a pace, peering intently into the gloom where the Old Branch lay. The Old Branch nearly cringed, certain the Man would shudder at his misshapen form, his bent and twisted length. How he wished he could demonstrate to the Man how straight and strong and young he had once been! Oh, if the Man could have seen him in his Youth, he would have been awed! But now, what was he? Nothing but a sad, stunted, twisted Old Branch. His beauty was long gone, as were any old dreams of strength and majesty. Shame and sorrow engulfed the Old Branch, and his heart ached for what could have been. However, the Man surprised him once again. Instead of recoiling or turning to leave, the Man reached into the shadows and struggled to pull the Old Branch loose from the clinging Stranger. After several minutes, the Man was able to free him, and cradled the Old Branch gently in his hands. Instead of being tossed carelessly away, as the Old Branch expected to be, he found himself being tucked reverently into the Man's backpack. Several more Old Branches joined him that day, and he marveled that he was not the only one who had been prevented from reaching his full Potential. The Old Branches communed and commiserated with each other, grateful to be freed from their prisons, yet wondering what new Fate awaited them. Late that day the Man arrived at home, gently carrying his new treasures into his workshop. That evening after dinner, he once again lifted the Old Branch and studied it closely. The Man saw more than a twisted, bent branch. There was much more to see, an echo of long lost dreams shimmering within the Old Branch. The Man began to strip away the years of grime, suffocation and sorrow that had encased him, and the Old Branch began to feel a bit stronger and more vibrant. As the Man worked, something amazing was beginning to happen. The Old Branch was starting to feel a resurgence of his long-ago Purpose. His energy and power were returning, little by little. But it was different somehow. As the Man lovingly handled him and worked on releasing his true Spirit and beauty, the Old Branch began to imagine a New Purpose. A Purpose that was vastly different than his old Purpose - yet somehow just as important, just as beautiful, just as awesome. The Man worked on the Old Branch for days, seeing potential that the Old Branch himself had not even begun to realize, and he worked tirelessly to manifest it into Being. In the final days, the Old Branch began to resonate with Power! He felt so much stronger than he had ever felt, even before the Stranger had appeared. What had once been the strength of Youth, was now the strength of Wisdom. He knew that he was on the brink of an amazing Transformation. And even he didn't realize just how amazing it would be. On the final day of his Transformation, the Old Branch lay gleaming on the Man's worktable. He was now shiny and glowing with renewed life. But the Man wasn't finished yet. He entered the workshop slowly and paused to light some candles and sweet-smelling incense. He sat down before the Old Branch and closed his eyes for several minutes. Finally, he gently lifted the Old Branch. "There you are, my Old Friend", whispered the Man. "It is time for you to realize your full Potential, are you ready?" The Old Branch nearly wriggled in anticipation and breathed, "YES!" He was filled with joy and eagerness and gratitude and love . . . so many emotions he could barely contain himself! The Man held him tenderly and began to infuse him with Light. The Old Branch could feel powerful energy pouring into him from the Man's hands, enveloping him in its brilliance. He felt the Spirits of his Ancestors surrounding him, and ancient elemental energies awakening within him. He was Becoming, and realizing so much more Potential than he had ever dreamed of in his Youth! As the Man's energy merged with the energy of the Old Branch, the Transformation became complete. Miraculously, the Old Branch had become The Wand. Like an old Wizard, The Wand was humble in his strength, yet majestically powerful in it! He knew then that THIS had been his true Purpose after all. He had been meant to be a conduit between the physical and spiritual realms, as all branches (and by extension, trees) are meant to be. Yet The Wand knew that his Purpose was to work more closely with the People. Rather than being admired from afar, he was now an instrument - working one on one with Healers, Wizards, Magicians and Energy Workers to bring more light and love into the world. How amazing, how glorious, how awesome that insight was! The Wand beamed his love and gratitude to the Man. The Man chuckled and replied softly, "Don't thank me, all I did was help you to Believe again. You already WERE that which you dreamed of Being. You just needed to be reminded that the Potential was there". The Wand glowed with pride and love. The Man was more right than he knew . . .  © Copyright 2003 Sticks, Stones -n- Beyond. May not be copied or reproduced in any form without express written permission of Sticks, Stones -n- Beyond. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the fluctuations of Mother Nature, please allow for variations in color, texture and size in our products. Each item we create is unique! Therefore, we cannot guarantee that the products you receive will be *exactly* like photo representations in our catalog or on our website. We strive for continuity whenever possible, but small differences between similar products do occur. We do, however, guarantee quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. We put a tremendous amount of energy and time into our products, and your satisfaction is guaranteed!  All content, graphics and photos © Copyright 2003-2006 Sticks, Stones -n- Beyond. No part of this website may be copied, downloaded or reproduced in any form without express written permission from Sticks, Stones -n- Beyond. 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