The Tale of the Talking Trees

- Twisha Shah

- Rohan, Aryan, and Kiya lifted the rock as a team - and to their surprise, it moved easily!

In a small village between two tall mountains, lived three best friends - Rohan, Aryan, and Kiya.

They loved exploring the forest near their village, playing hide-and-seek among the tall trees and chasing butterflies.

One sunny afternoon, they wandered deeper into the woods than ever before.

Suddenly, they came upon a secret grove where the trees looked older… wiser… and somehow, alive.

Just as they stepped closer, a deep, gentle voice echoed through the air.

"Welcome, children," said the oldest tree, whose name was Oakley.

"Yes, we talk," he chuckled, noticing their wide eyes. "And we're glad you found us."

Oakley smiled at them kindly and asked,

"What would you like to learn from us today?"

Rohan puffed out his chest. "I want to be the strongest!"

Aryan raised his hand. "I want to be the smartest!"

Kiya thought for a moment, then said softly, "I want to be kind to everyone I meet."

Oakley's leaves rustled gently as he said,

"Let's begin."

He turned to Rohan. "See that heavy rock over there? Try lifting it."

Rohan pushed and pulled with all his might - but it wouldn't budge.

"Strength isn't just muscles," said Oakley. "Try working together."

Rohan, Aryan, and Kiya lifted the rock as a team - and to their surprise, it moved easily!

Then, Oakley asked Aryan to solve a puzzle made of twisted branches.

Aryan tried hard but got stuck.

"Intelligence grows when you share it," Oakley said.

Aryan smiled, explained the puzzle to his friends, and together they solved it!

Finally, Oakley pointed to a tiny bird's nest high in his branches.

The mother bird looked tired and hungry. Her chicks were chirping sadly.

Without a word, Kiya gathered berries, seeds, and tiny fruits.

She gently placed them near the nest. The mother bird chirped gratefully and fed her chicks.

Oakley looked down at them all and said,

"Kindness is the greatest strength of all.

When you help others and care deeply,

you grow stronger and wiser."

The friends nodded. Kiya's kindness had not only helped the birds-

it had made their friendship even stronger.

From that day on, the three friends promised to be kind, to help one another, and to always listen to the trees.

Moral

Kindness makes us stronger, smarter, and brings us closer.

When we help others, we grow in ways that truly matter.