the encephalophalus

once upon a time there lived a discrete and peaceful tribe, who tended their crops and told stories by firelight. They knew of a being far greater than themselves and this is its tale.
when the world was young and cheeky, it came upon the idea of creating a tree so large that it itself could not carry the thing: it was to be so huge and so heavy that it would outweigh the earth and, being as things were much different in those days and seeing as the young planet could get away with bloody murder, the world tree was born. Now to begin with the sprout was like all others; it shivvered in the wind; it looked as frail as a duckling; but after a time the magnificent specimen began to bear fruit. The creatures that lived near the elcephalophalus had amazing ideas that often puzzled the other animals when they first heard them but after a while the beings of the land came to understand that this was a wonderous tree that inspired great thoughts. Little did they know its true spirit, for while the young earth was fashionning the unique seed it put so much thought and effort into its conception that it left a tiny piece of itself within the tree.
And so, as time rolled by whistling carelessly, the world tree grew into a great and mighty thing. It harboured many birds and squirrels, it befriended a myriad of insect species, it sheltered weary travellers and hedgehogs made its roots their home. The world was happy. Furthermore, as with all things it continued to grow according to the world's original plan and became so large that it began to wobble the earth itself. The seasons began to change and those who lived in the upper reaches of the canopy said they saw a strange light growing in the distance. And so the world tree learned its fate. It was no longer to live on earth but was blessed with another destiny. It's hefty trunk began to wither, it's powerful roots to writhe and unfold. One day there was said to be a pop as the world tree finally left behind it the muddy shores of its past and it drifted on up into the stratosphere. There it continues to inspire those who care to look upon the night sky and gives great ideas to those who take the time to grace the encephalophalus with a thought or two.