(The Religious-Mythological Oral Traditions of the Highland of Eastern Georgia)
There was a castle erected in The Khmala of Gudela (Barisaho) long time ago and near it, so the legend says, stood the “Holly Chrism river poplar tree”… A golden chain was tied at the top of the poplar tree , upon which the angels would walk and chant with sweet voices. The chrism that would drop from the poplar tree would stream into the pitchers. One of the angels stood above it and would pour the chrism into bottles and baptize any son of God who came near. The place was surrounded by wonder, all bright as the sons of God would go in and out without uttering a single word.
So the King has ordered to find the chrism tree at once, cut it down and bring it to him. But when the kings men would strike it with an axe the tree would grow whole again. So they tired themselves out yet they still could not cut the tree down. Finally they gathered the people. Not everyone knew the secret of cutting down the tree, but those who did, did not give it out or teach anyone. Though they bribed one Ghulian man named Arishauli, who knew the secret and he taught them. He said that while the tree is guarded by the sons of God it cannot be cut down by an axe. So he helped them in sacrificing a lamb at the roots of the tree and when the son of God left, they cut down the tree. Once the tree had fallen down the golden chain that was tied to its’ top was torn and elevated into the sky with a screech. Khevsurians have heavily judged Areshauli and cast him out as a traitor.
Ballet in One Act
Fantasia on the Theme of Georgian Folklore / Contemporary ballet “Alva” / Choreography by Mariam Aleksidze