There once lived a poor family without enough food to eat or enough wood for their fire.
The mother decided to go into the forest to search for
pine cones.
She was planning to use the pine cones to build a fire for her family,
and she was also hoping she could sell some of them to get money to buy food.
After walking for hours, the mother finally reached the forest and started
gathering pine cones into her basket. Suddenly, she heard a voice say,
"Why are you stealing my pine cones?" With that, an elf appeared beside her.
She explained her sad story to the elf. With a crooked smile, the elf said,
"Go into the next forest. The pine cones there are much better."
Hesitantly, the mother set off to the next forest, which was even farther away.
When she reached it, she was very tired. She leaned against a tree and sat
her basket on the ground.
No sooner had she set down her basket, and dozens of pine cones started falling
to the ground. Filled with renewed energy, she gathered all the pine cones
into her basket and returned home.
Tired again, once she returned home, she set down the basket for a moment
on her doorstep. When she looked down at the basket of pine cones,
they had all turned to silver.
The family would never be poor again.
***
Because of this legend, many people believe that a silver pine cone is lucky.
It is customary to keep one on your dresser or hearth to make sure good fortune
comes your way.
From Old Wives Tales
The best part of happiness is the pines.
*added note of nutrition:
Christmas trees are edible. Many parts of pines, spruces, and firs can be eaten.
The needles are a good source of vitamin C. Pine nuts, or pine cones,
are also a good source of nutrition.
