Oliver the Owl and the Mirror of the Meadow - A Children's Story

Oliver the Owl and the Mirror of the Meadow

By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral of the Story:

What we shine out into the world—our kindness, joy, courage, and caring—is what the world shines back to us. When we act with love, speak with hope, and carry ourselves with faith, we draw good things toward us. If we give anger, worry, or fear, we tend to receive more of those shadows in our path. Our inner thoughts, what we believe about ourselves, become the image the world reflects. So choose to see yourself as brave, generous, and true, and you will live in a world that sees those things too. Every word we say, every thought we hold, becomes part of the mirror that shows our life’s reflection. When we shine together, our bright reflections join into a brilliant light that lifts everyone. And when we live as we hope to be, we attract the world we hope to see.

In the heart of Evergreen Meadow, where wildflowers swayed and soft breezes whispered through the grasses, there stood an old willow tree by a clear pond. Perched on one of its strong branches was Oliver the Owl, whose golden eyes seemed to see everything: the hidden seeds beneath the grass, the busy ants on the log, and the dreams hidden inside every animal’s heart.

One afternoon, as the sun dipped low and the meadow was washed in honey-light, Oliver called out in his soft, steady voice, “Gather ’round, my friends.”

Soon Milo the Mole, Rosie the Rabbit, Daisy the Deer, Penny the Parrot, and Benny the Beaver had settled beneath the willow, their eyes full of curiosity.

“Look into the pond,” Oliver said. “What do you see?”

The animals leaned in. “We see ourselves,” answered Rosie.

“Exactly,” Oliver nodded. “The pond shows you exactly what is there. But did you know that our life outside this pond is very much like the image in the water? What you give out, your thoughts, your words, your actions, they reflect back to you, just as your face reflects in the pond.”

Daisy’s ears perked. “So if I think I’m shy, will I always be shy?”

Oliver smiled gently. “Not always, but often. If you believe ‘I’m shy and nothing will change,’ the pond of your life will reflect that belief. But if you believe, ‘I can be kind, I can try, I can grow,’ then you’ll see more chances, more friendships, and more moments of courage.”

Examples from the Meadow

Oliver pointed his wing toward Milo, who was tugging a twig from the ground. “Milo, you spend so much time looking underground. You believe you’re small and unseen. But if you lift your head, look up and say, ‘I am important; I can help,’ you will begin to attract moments where help is needed and you shine.”

Milo looked thoughtful.

“Rosie,” Oliver continued, “you believe you’re quick, and you laugh easily. That is wonderful. But sometimes you say you’re too silly or not serious enough. If you tell yourself ‘I am light but I am also helpful,’ you will attract friends and moments that need both strength and joy.”

Rosie smiled.

“Benny the Beaver,” said Oliver, “you build so many things. But if you carry in your heart, ‘I build for me,’ you may build alone. If you carry ‘I build to help others,’ you will build friendships, trust, and a forest full of gratitude.”

Benny nodded.

“Penny the Parrot,” said Oliver, “your voice is bright and clear. If you believe you are only for songs, you may miss the moments of comfort others need. But if you believe, ‘I use my voice to lift others,’ then you’ll attract kind ears, open hearts, and a mirror full of joy.”

Penny’s feathers fluttered.

“Daisy,” Oliver finished, “you move gently through the woods and see beauty. If you believe that you only notice, you may stay quiet. But if you believe, ‘I bring beauty by words, by smiles, by caring,’ you will attract moments where your gentle spirit leads and others follow.”

Putting It Into Action

Oliver fluffed his feathers and said, “Now, let’s try something. I want each of you to think of one statement of who you are becoming. Say it out loud: ‘I am…’ Then each day, do one small thing that matches your statement. When you keep doing the small things, the pond begins to show not just who you were, but who you are becoming.”

The animals closed their eyes. Milo whispered, “I am helpful.”
Rosie: “I am kind and brave.”
Benny: “I build trust with my friends.”
Penny: “I use my voice to uplift.”
Daisy: “I share beauty and peace.”

Oliver nodded. “Wonderful. Now every time you think a thought like ‘I cannot,’ swap it with ‘I can try.’ Every time you say ‘I’m small,’ swap it with ‘I matter.’ The energy you send out, thoughts, words, and actions, is a magnet. It draws back what you put there.”

Receiving What You Reflect

That night, as moonlight danced on the pond, each animal found examples of their new statements. Milo helped a young mouse carry seeds. Rosie cheered up the frogs who were afraid of the dark. Benny shared extra sticks with a friend whose dam was weak. Penny sang softly to a sad squirrel. Daisy pointed out the new buds on the trees and whispered gratitude.

They realized that by being what they said they were becoming, they attracted the right moments and people into their lives.

Oliver watched from his branch and whispered, “The mirror of life reflects what we are becoming. Shine bright, live kind, act true, and the world around you will shine too.”

Poem: The Mirror We Make

We see our face in still water bright,
But life’s reflection shows our heart’s light.
Thoughts we whisper, words we say,
Shape the world around us every day.

If we believe we’re kind and true,
We attract kindness we can live through.
If we carry joy and faith and care,
The mirror shows love, strong and fair.

So be the light you hope to see,
Act with love; let your spirit be free.
The world will mirror the best in you.
For what you send out comes back true.

Discussion Questions:

1.     What statement of “I am…” did each animal choose, and how did they begin to live it out in the story?

2.     How do thoughts, words, and actions act like magnets in our lives—drawing back what we send out?

3.     What “I am…” statement would you choose for yourself, and what one small action will you do tomorrow to match it?