The Tree

Summary

Unlike many of Lovecraft’s stories, this story takes place in Greece, and more importantly on a mountain that was supposedly watched over by Pan. Kalos and Musides, two friends, live here and when Kalos falls ill and dies, Musides decides to use his sculpting powers to use. He erects a great monument to Kalos over his tomb, but an oak tree decides to overtake it, shaping into what looks like a deformed and monstrous human figure. Musides’ fears about the tree sapping the vital force from his friend’s grave are finally struct down by lightning – and with it the whole monument.