The legend of the Ceibo

This plant is a relatively short tree(trees are plants, but plants are not always trees) with brilliant red flowers. It's beauty has helped in bringing this plant all the way to Asia from South America(via itchy human hands), where it originates. Here it is known as the Cockspur coral tree. But back home, it is known by a different name. It is known there as, the Ceibo.

Flower of the Cockspur coral tree, aka Ceibo (Erythrina crista-galli)

"Long, long ago, in the farway land of South America there lived an Indian Queen(or princess...depending on who's telling the story...). Now, in normal fairy tales, princesses and queens are always fair and beautiful. But this is no ordinary tale! This queen was HIDEOUS! She had the kind of face that made babies cry; the kind of face...only a mother could love! But.. she was blessed with the most melodious, sweet voice ever heard to be heard. A voice truly deserving of being called beautiful. And the name of this unconventional princess- Anahi.

All was well in these distant lands, until one day, strange men landed on the shores of South America and claimed the land for their own. Her people fought hard, but alas! Anahi was captured and taken prisoner. She was brave and determined. She wasn't about to go down without a fight! In an attempt to escape, she killed the guard who was tasked with watching over her.

Unfortunately, she didn't manage to escape their clutches. And this time, they condemned her to be burned at the stake the next night! She was tied to a tree and set aflame. 

The morning after, in the clearing where Queen Anahi was burned, something mysterious was to be seen. A single tree grew in the very spot this queen was burnt at. A single tree, with twisted branches, with beautiful red flowers in full bloom. There stood the Ceibo. "

Not bad for our first attempt at story telling eh?   [applause] [/applause]


As seems to be the case with many myths and legends, there are a number of versions to this tale, depending on who you're hearing it from. The basic outline of the story is pretty much the same though- Native woman is captured. Native woman is burnt at the stake. Native woman 'turns' into Ceibo, or as we know it, the Cockspur coral tree. It's just the little details that differ, so we've just gone ahead and picked the version we like best. Deal with it. 


Note: Many plants and animals feature in stories the world over, particularly in stories told by tribes, since it is these communities that are(arguably) closest to nature. Unsurprisingly, highly conspicuous as they tend to be, hornbills too feature in many stories in the regions where they may be found. If you should come across one such story, please do let us know. Sharing is caring after all...(or is it the other way around eh?)

References
Ruggero, C. (2006). Ceibo. Retrieved May 12, 2010, from Bewildering Stories: http://www.bewilderingstories.com/issue227/ceibo.html