Wishing trees are a common element in fantasy stories, especially those that involve magic, folklore, and fairy tales. Wishing trees are usually depicted as ancient and mysterious plants that have the power to grant the wishes of those who approach them with respect and sincerity. Wishing trees can be found in various cultures and traditions, such as the Celtic, Chinese, Japanese, and Native American ones.
However, wishing trees are not always benevolent and generous. Sometimes, they have a dark side that can bring misfortune, danger, or even death to those who misuse their gifts or offend them. Wishing trees can also have their own agendas and motives, and may manipulate or trick the wishers into fulfilling their desires. Wishing trees can also be corrupted by evil forces or cursed by vengeful spirits, turning them into sources of evil and horror.
In this blog post, we will explore some examples of wishing trees in fantasy literature and media, and how they are used to create interesting plots, themes, and characters. We will also discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks of using wishing trees as a fantasy trope, and some tips on how to write your own wishing tree stories.
Some Examples of Wishing Trees in Fantasy
One of the most famous examples of wishing trees in fantasy is the Tree of Souls from James Cameron's Avatar (2009). The Tree of Souls is a massive willow-like tree that connects all living things on the planet Pandora through a neural network. The Na'vi people worship the Tree of Souls as a sacred site and a link to their ancestors and their deity, Eywa. The Tree of Souls can also grant wishes to those who bond with it through a special ritual. In the movie, Jake Sully uses the Tree of Souls to transfer his consciousness from his human body to his Na'vi avatar permanently.
Another example of wishing trees in fantasy is the Whomping Willow from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. The Whomping Willow is a violent and sentient tree that attacks anyone who comes near it. It was planted on the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to conceal a secret passage to the Shrieking Shack, where Remus Lupin would transform into a werewolf during his school years. The Whomping Willow does not grant wishes per se, but it does play a significant role in several events in the series, such as Harry and Ron's crash landing in their flying car, Hermione's rescue of Sirius Black from the Dementors, and Harry's discovery of his father's animagus form.
A third example of wishing trees in fantasy is the Dryad's Tree from C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. The Dryad's Tree is a magical tree that grows in the garden of Cair Paravel, the royal palace of Narnia. The Dryad's Tree contains the spirit of a dryad, a female tree nymph who can communicate with humans and animals. The Dryad's Tree can also grant wishes to those who ask her politely and kindly. In The Magician's Nephew (1955), Digory Kirke wishes for an apple from the Dryad's Tree to heal his dying mother. The Dryad grants his wish, but warns him that the apple has a special power that can bring either joy or sorrow depending on how it is used.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Wishing Trees as a Fantasy Trope
Wishing trees can be a useful and versatile fantasy trope for several reasons. First, they can create a sense of wonder and mystery in your story world, as they are often associated with ancient wisdom, hidden secrets, and supernatural forces. Second, they can provide opportunities for character development and conflict, as they can reveal the true desires, motivations, and flaws of your characters through their wishes. Third, they can generate interesting plot twists and complications, as they can have unexpected consequences or limitations for their wishers.
However, wishing trees can also have some drawbacks as a fantasy trope. First, they can be overused or clichéd if they are not original or creative enough. Second, they can be too convenient or deus ex machina if they are used to solve problems or challenges without any cost or effort from your characters. Third, they can be inconsistent or illogical if they do not follow any rules or explanations for how they work or why they exist.
Tips on How to Write Your Own Wishing Tree Stories
Wishing tree stories can be fun, inspiring, and creative, but they also require some planning and skill to write well. Here are some tips on how to write your own wishing tree stories.
Choose a setting and a theme for your story. Wishing tree stories can take place in any time period and location, but they should have a consistent tone and mood that match the theme of your story. For example, if you want to write a story about love and friendship, you might choose a modern-day setting with a colorful and cheerful wishing tree. If you want to write a story about adventure and mystery, you might choose a historical or fantasy setting with a dark and mysterious wishing tree.
Create your main characters and their wishes. Your main characters are the ones who will interact with the wishing tree and make their wishes come true. They should have distinct personalities, goals, and motivations that drive their actions and choices. Their wishes should also reflect their desires and challenges, and they should have consequences that affect the plot and the characters' development. For example, if your main character is a shy and lonely girl who wishes for a best friend, her wish might come true in the form of a talking animal companion who helps her overcome her fears and make new friends.
Outline your plot and structure your story. Your plot is the sequence of events that happen in your story as a result of the characters' wishes and actions. Your plot should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, with rising tension, conflict, and resolution. You can structure your story in different ways, such as using chapters, scenes, or flashbacks, but you should make sure that each part of your story is relevant, engaging, and coherent. For example, you might start your story with an introduction of the setting and the characters, then move on to the inciting incident where the characters discover the wishing tree and make their wishes, then follow with the rising action where the characters face obstacles and complications as their wishes come true, then climax with the turning point where the characters face their biggest challenge or dilemma as a result of their wishes, then conclude with the falling action where the characters resolve their conflicts and learn from their experiences, and finally end with the resolution where the characters achieve their goals or change their perspectives.
Use descriptive language and dialogue to bring your story to life. Wishing tree stories are meant to be imaginative and expressive, so you should use vivid words and phrases to describe your setting, characters, actions, emotions, and senses. You should also use dialogue to show your characters' personalities, relationships, thoughts, feelings, and opinions. Dialogue should sound natural and realistic, but also fit the tone and style of your story. You should avoid using too much or too little dialogue, as well as using clichés or slang that might confuse or distract your readers.
Revise and edit your story until it is polished and ready to share. Writing is a process that involves multiple drafts and revisions until you are satisfied with your final product. You should read your story aloud or ask someone else to read it for you to check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, clarity, consistency, flow, logic, and originality. You should also ask for feedback from others who can offer constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement. You should be open-minded and willing to make changes to your story based on your own judgment and preferences.
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