The Speaking Tree of Emerald Valley🔊

Once there was a quaint town, nestled in the lush, evergreen ranges of Appalachia. This town, named Emerald Valley, was known for its pleasant summers, colourful autumns, and quiet people. However, what made this town truly distinctive was its annual festival, The Speaking Tree Festival.

The Speaking Tree was a centuries-old oak standing in the heart of the town. Legend had it that every year on the first full moon of autumn, the tree would whisper secrets of the past, present, and future. These whispers would only be audible to one person, selected randomly by the tree. This person was called the Listener of the year.

One such Listener was Jack, a humble carpenter in his late forties, who lived his life mending broken furniture and keeping alive old traditions. Though he had heard countless stories from his father about the Speaking Tree, he had always believed them to be folklore, until he himself was chosen as the Listener.

That night, as the full moon shone brightly over the starlit turf, the townsfolk gathered around the ancient tree. Jack stepped forth nervously, and as he placed his hands on the tree, there was a hush. Then the tree began to whisper. Jack listened intently, completely mesmerised by what he was hearing.

Over the next few days, he was pensive and silent. Finally, one morning, he announced what the tree had said, "The valley will prosper if we take care and nourishment of our land, and welcome outsiders with open hearts, teaching them our ways, thus continuing our tradition and spreading love.",The people of Emerald Valley were startled by this revelation. The town had always been secluded, wary of outsiders. Tradition dictated that they keep to themselves, by themselves.

However, Jack persisted. He opened his own carpentry shop to the public, offering workshops to anyone who was keen on learning. The rest of the town followed suit, gradually sharing their skills and knowledge with those who sought it.

Word of this hospitable and talented town started spreading to neighbouring towns, then cities, and ultimately across the country. The town began to flourish. New ideas and technologies began pouring in. The town became popular, bustling with activity while still maintaining its tranquillity. The townsfeistival became a national event, where people would come from all over to celebrate and learn about the customs and traditions of the old Valley.

The Speaking Tree Festival became a beacon of unity, love and prosperity, intertwined with the town's heritage and preserved for future generations. And every year, a new Listener was chosen, marking the beginning of another year of growth and learning.

Jack lived to see the town's progress, its rise from an isolated settlement to a well-known hub of knowledge and tradition. He remembered the words of the old tree, the prophecy it had whispered to him, and how it had changed him and the life of his town. He realised then, that the Speaking Tree did not just share secrets of the past, present, and future. It shared wisdom, not just to sustain life, but to make it richer and fuller. And for that, he was grateful.

As the town prospered, so did the ancient oak. Its whispers carried on, resonating with newfound hope and prosperity. And Jack, the humble Listener, became the town's respected Elder, his name etched permanently into the annals of Emerald Valley's history, a testament to his courage and visionary understanding of the Speaking Tree's wisdom.