The loggers, acting on the commands of the priests, had cut down the vast forest in the nature preserve. The king had established the preserve for fear that unchecked greed would strip the land bare and destroy the biomes. The king was correct. The day of his announced death, contracts were given and the first tree fell.
The day I arrived, only one tree remained.
There was much arguing between the loggers and management. The loggers, superstitious through and through, would not cut down the last tree. Management wanted it down.
The loggers said the tree was holy and protected. It was at the center of a temple grove. Management wanted it down.
I went to the tree and confirmed the tree was special. Management said it was special only because of how it was grown. The tree had been tied down as a sapling to encourage growth on one side, then released and allowed to grow up. As a result, it has a phallic shape, including a full scrotum. Further trimming stunted the vertical growth, so that the few green branches were growing directly from the ‘tip’ of the trunk. Giving the appearance that the land itself had grown an erect penis and was ejaculating saplings.
The loggers refused to touch it. They built barriers around it. Fresh offerings were everywhere.
Management was disgusted by the sight of the tree and the loggers’ attitude.
When I left, one of the managers was about to swing an axe. I guess I should have told them about the curse on the tree. Whoever harms it, receives the damage to their own flesh. Gonads first, legs second, torso third.
I heard a thunk, a long pause, then the howls of someone in pain. Guess they know about it now.
I left the stripped land behind and exited the dream.