The Whispering Tree
In a small, quiet village nestled between rolling hills and lush forests, there stood an ancient tree at the edge of a meadow. The villagers called it the Whispering Tree. Its wide trunk and thick branches had stood for hundreds of years, and the leaves rustled with a soothing sound that some believed carried wisdom from the past.
No one knew who planted the tree, but it had always been there, offering shade to travelers, shelter to birds, and peace to those who sat beneath it. The villagers often said, "The tree listens, and if your heart is true, it may whisper the answer you seek."
Among the villagers lived a boy named Kiran. Kiran was clever, but he had a flaw—he was impatient and always wanted more than he had. He envied his friends who had new toys, his neighbor who had a beautiful horse, and even his little sister who always received attention for her sweet nature.
One day, Kiran overheard the elders talking. They spoke of a legend: “If someone listens carefully at the Whispering Tree during sunrise, they may hear a secret that could change their life.” Greed sparked in Kiran's heart. He thought, "Maybe the tree will tell me where to find treasure. Then I can have more than anyone else."
The next morning, before the sun rose, Kiran snuck out of his home and hurried to the tree. The grass was still wet with dew, and a light mist hovered in the air. He sat beneath the tree, closed his eyes, and listened.
At first, he heard nothing but the soft rustling of leaves. Then, as the first rays of the sun touched the branches, he heard a whisper.
"Give more than you take, and your heart will overflow."
Kiran opened his eyes, disappointed. "That's not treasure," he muttered. "That’s just nonsense." Frustrated, he returned home.
But the words stayed with him. Give more than you take…
Days passed, and Kiran noticed things he hadn't before. He saw an old man struggling to carry firewood and helped him. The man smiled and said, “Thank you, young one. Not many stop to help these days.”
He gave his lunch to a hungry dog that followed him home and saw the joy in the animal’s eyes. He helped his sister with her chores and was surprised when she hugged him tightly.
Each time he gave something—his time, effort, or kindness—he felt a little warmer inside. A little lighter.
One evening, as he sat beneath the tree again, he realized what the whisper truly meant. The more he gave to others, the more he received in return—not in gold or gifts, but in happiness, love, and respect.
Years passed. Kiran grew up and became known as the most generous person in the village. People trusted him, admired him, and often came to him for advice. He never forgot the lesson the Whispering Tree had given him.
One day, a young child asked him, “Why are you always so happy, Uncle Kiran?”
He smiled and pointed to the tree. “Because a long time ago, that tree told me a secret. A secret more valuable than treasure.”
“What was it?” the child asked eagerly.
Kiran bent down and whispered, “Give more than you take, and your heart will overflow.”
Moral: True happiness comes not from what we get, but from what we give. Generosity, kindness, and selflessness are treasures that never run out.
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