Shen is the cousin of Reuben, a jack of all trades and the first one to sight the changing leaves of Fall. He is from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Fairy stones are also found in the valley. They are small crosses formed by nature. Legend has it that the fairies wept cross-shaped tears at the time of the Crucifixion. Shen is holding one and there is another one at his feet. In honor of the early settlers of Virginia, there is an English coin. It is a threepence with three flowers pictured. Shen has three roses tucked behind him as well. Some people think of three roses as a symbol for the Trinity. |