The crown of thorns of Our Blessed Lord is said to have been made from
this tree. It looks so fair in the May-time with its snow-like mantle of
white blossoms, that it is only when quite close to it that the long
cruel thorns are seen, thick on all its branches. The simple story goes
on to say that as Our Lord was on His way to be crucified, a little bird
lighted on His head, and with its beak pulled out one of the long thorns
that were piercing His brow. The blood that flowed from the wound
covered the bird’s breast and dyed it crimson. That dear little bird was
no other than Robin Red-breast!
[Illustration: Story page titled 'The Hawthorn' featuring a black and
white sketch of Jesus carrying the cross on the right and blooming
hawthorn flowers at the bottom left.]
[Illustration: Illustration of a classical terrace overlooking the sea,
featuring a woman in an veil shielding her eyes while others sit by a
vine-draped statue.]
[Illustration: Story header featuring a horizontal banner titled 'The
Almond Tree' entwined with a black and white sketch of blooming almond
branches.]