TreeSquare: the tree that never grew
Becky’s Square Challenge for July is TreeSquare. Although it’s a daily challenge, I shall only drop in occasionally, and am starting off with a little bit of Glasgow history (no surprise there). My square also fits with Jude’s monthly Life in Colour challenge, which for July is blue.
Glasgow’s City Crest, a representation of which is shown above, is based on the miracles of St Mungo, our patron saint and founder. They are:
- the bird that never flew
- the tree that never grew
- the bell that never rang
- the fish that never swam
What is the the tree that never grew? As a boy in the monastery, Mungo was left in charge of the holy fire in the refectory. He fell asleep and some of the other boys, who were envious of him, put out the fire. When he woke and found what had happened, Mungo broke off some frozen branches from a hazel tree and caused them to burst into flames by praying over them.
Do you believe it? It’s certainly a nice story!
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
Hi Anabel – St Mungo is an interesting character … and these folk tales could so easily be based on some truth … that City Crest is delightful to see – cheers Hilary
PS CatLady’s ballad is fun to read …
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Thanks – I liked that ballad too.
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Great story. I hope you share the other parts of the legend. But believe it? That’s a hard “No” from me.
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Yes, total sceptic here too!
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I have been seeing creative variations on the Treesquare theme, Anabel. I ‘get it’ now on the tree that never grew.’ I believe there is often a glimmer of truth, even in a fiction story.
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It’s amazing the different variations on the tree theme that people are coming up with. It’s a fun challenge.
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I’ve never heard that story before, but I do like it!
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So do I, but I employ a large pinch of salt!
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I’d heard of St Mungo before, but not of the story. Interesting!
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It is! Though entirely implausible.
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Mungo is also known as Kentigan and has links with Carlisle and the Lake District. Borders have always been fragile, fluid things.
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He also has connections with Wales. We call him Kentigern too, but Mungo was a nickname meaning (I think) Dear One.
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He certainly got around then!
I think there’s a connection with Kentmere and Kendal. I’m sure I read that somewhere.
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meant to say that when I see his name I can’t help but think of “Mary, Mungo and Midge”. I’m sure you’ll remember that programme!
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I do, though, sad to say, I’m a bit old to have watched it!
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Same with me 😢 – but youngest siblings did!
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Ah, I think even my wee sister was a bit old!
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Good on Mungo for fixing the problem.
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I expect a few Boy Scouts over the years would have envied his technique!
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Great story! Beautiful crest!
Thank you for sharing this bit of history with us.
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Thanks Donna! I’m not surprised the other boys didn’t go on to be saints.
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I love stories like this!
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Me too! Although I take them with a large pinch of salt.
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Reminiscent of the old ballad :
I gave my love a cherry that had no stone
I gave my love a chicken that had no bone
I told my love a story that had no end
I gave my love a baby with no cryin’
The next verse asks how these things can be, and the last verse answers that -a cherry when it’s blooming/ a chicken when it’s pippin/the story of I love you/ a baby when it’s sleeping.
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Ah, very clever! I hadn’t hear of that one, thanks for adding it.
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