Read by Michael Flamel

IIn the heart of Emily’s Enchanted Garden, where colorful flowers danced in the gentle breeze and the birds sang melodious songs, stood a magnificent oak tree. This oak tree was not just any tree; it was Old Oak, the wisest and oldest tree in the entire garden. Old Oak was so ancient that it had seen generations of birds, squirrels, and even humans come and go.

One sunny morning, a curious young sapling named Sprout had taken root not far from Old Oak. Sprout was a lively and energetic little tree, eager to grow tall and strong as quickly as possible. But it soon became evident that patience was not one of Sprout’s virtues. Each day, he would stretch his leaves toward the sky, reaching for the sun, and impatiently ask, “When will I grow as tall and wise as Old Oak?”

Old Oak, with his massive branches and gnarled bark, knew that patience was a virtue often overlooked by the young. He decided it was time to share a tale with Sprout, one that would teach the importance of patience. So, with a gentle rustling of his leaves, Old Oak began:

“Once upon a time, long before you were even a seed in the ground, there was a young sapling much like you. This sapling, too, was full of energy and eagerness. It yearned to grow tall and wise in the blink of an eye. But, you see, wisdom and strength cannot be rushed; they must be nurtured and earned over time.”

“The sapling often complained to me, asking when it would become as magnificent as I am. I would always reply, ‘My dear sapling, in time, your roots will grow deep, your branches will reach high, and you will become the mighty tree you dream of being. But you must have patience.’”

“But the young sapling couldn’t understand the value of patience. It kept searching for shortcuts, trying to grow faster by demanding more sunlight and water, and even neglecting its roots. In its haste, it didn’t notice the beauty in the world around it, the gentle rustling of the leaves, or the song of the birds that graced the garden.”

Sprout listened intently to Old Oak’s story, and a glimmer of understanding began to light up his leaves. He realized that he, too, had been rushing, not appreciating the simple joys of his surroundings, and yearning for something he couldn’t have right away.

Old Oak continued, “The years passed by, and the sapling’s impatience only grew. One day, a storm swept through the garden, and the young tree, with its shallow roots, was uprooted and cast aside. It was then that the sapling finally understood the importance of patience and the wisdom of listening to its elders.”

“It found a new place to grow, took its time to establish deep roots, and began to grow tall and strong. Over the years, it realized that wisdom and strength were not things that could be forced or rushed but were the result of nurturing and patience.”

With Old Oak’s story coming to an end, Sprout bowed his branches in gratitude. “Thank you, Old Oak,” he said. “I understand now. I will be patient and allow time to work its magic on me.”

Old Oak smiled, and the garden seemed to sigh with contentment. The birds sang even more melodious tunes, and the colorful flowers swayed in approval, for the wisdom of the old oak tree had found its way into the heart of the young sapling.

And so, the lesson of Old Oak was passed down from one generation to the next, for the garden was not only a place of beauty but also a place of wisdom, where the young could learn from their elders. Patience, they knew, was the key to becoming truly magnificent, just like the wise and ancient Old Oak. ❖