I first saw the postcard on a trip to Arkansas. I took a Greyhound down to visit Susan the year after her family moved there. Apparently dogwood is the state tree or flower or something. Anyway, below is the story from the postcard, very appropriate for Easter.
The Legend of the Dogwood Tree.
Long, long ago, the dogwood tree was tall and proud. Its trunk was as large around as an oak tree and its wood was hard and strong.
Near the city of Jerusalem grew an especially lovely dogwood tree. When the Savior was to be crucified, the Roman soldiers looked at the tree and decided it would be just the right kind of wood they needed. They cut down the tree and made a cross for Him.
The dogwood tree was sad and ashamed to be put to such a terrible use. Now the Lord knew the tree was very unhappy and he felt sorry for it. So He promised the dogwood it would never again grow large enough to be used as a cross. And then, to give the world a reminder of the tree's history, He gave it a very special blossom. This blossom would be a sign of His death.
That is why the dogwood's four petals form the shape of a cross. On the outer edge of each petal there is a dark red stain, as a reminder that He was offered on the cross for forgiveness of sins. And in the center of each bloom is a tiny crown of thorns.
