The Olive Branch

Northern Advocate, 24 January 1939, Page 2

The Olive Branch

“Why do so many statues carry a small branch of tree in their hands?” asked the little questioning princess. “I’ve seen it on all sorts of things—medals, and stamps, and money.”

“Oh, that is the olive branch,” replied the oldest of all the nurses. “Olive?” repeated the little princess. “Do olives do anything besides make oil?” '

“They do! Listen. Long ago there was a certain beautiful city of ancient Greece which had no name. Nobody could find a suitable name for so lovely a city, and at last the gods decided to have A great Contest; whoever made the most beautiful gift for the city should have the honour of naming it.” “What sort of things could you make for p. city?” asked the little Princess “I will tell you about the two greatest. The god of the sea created a magnificent war horse, and the goddess of wisdom made an olive tree.” ‘ You don’t mean to say .that a little old olive tree was considered bettor than a magnificent war horse!” wailed the little princess. “I do,” nodded the oldest of all the nurses. “After much discussion, the gods said that a war horse would only induce the people to fight. if the olive tree were planted in the city, men would cultivate it and work together in friendly spirit. And so they did. They took the olive as a symbol of peace, and they gave it as a reward to a good citizen. . All enemies who came to them carrying an olive branch were protected, and all* brides wore an olive garland—l don’t know why we've changed it into orange blossom now! So when you see an olive branch anywhere you know it means peace and prosperity.” “And what did they call the oily after all?” “Athens, because the goddess who made the olive tree was named Athena.” What is the difference between a cat and a rat. One starts with a c and the other starts with an r.