Oliver the Owl and the Power of Together
By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
of the Story:
When hearts and paws work together,
great things can be accomplished that no one could ever do alone. Every animal
has a special gift that helps others in the forest grow stronger and happier. True
strength is not found in standing apart but in joining wings, paws, and hearts
through kindness and love. When one helps another, both become better, and
their light shines brighter in the world around them. Together, every challenge
becomes easier, every task more joyful, and every day filled with greater
meaning. Even the smallest act of encouragement or teamwork can make the forest
a more peaceful and beautiful place. Working together turns effort into success
and friendship into something magical. When we care for one another and share
our gifts, we discover that unity is nature’s greatest treasure.
The sun was setting over Evergreen
Forest, casting a golden light on the treetops. The evening breeze rustled
through the leaves, carrying the sweet scent of pine and wildflowers.
High in the grand old oak at the edge of the meadow, Oliver the Owl stretched
his wide wings and looked down upon his friends gathering below.
Every night when the stars began to
sparkle, the animals came to listen to Oliver. His voice was calm and full of
wisdom, a voice that made even the crickets pause to listen.
“Good evening, my friends,” Oliver
called out.
“Good evening, Oliver!” answered the
animals together. Rabbits, foxes, beavers, deer, raccoons, and chipmunks all
sat quietly beneath his tree. Even the shy turtle crept out of his shell to
hear the lesson of the night.
Oliver smiled warmly and began,
“Last time we talked about how life is like a river, always flowing forward, no
matter what stands in its way. Tonight, I want to tell you something just as
important: life is also like a great forest. Every tree, every stream, and
every animal has a purpose, but together we make something far more beautiful
than we could ever be alone.”
The animals listened intently, their
ears and whiskers twitching with curiosity.
The
Forest of Many Gifts
“Each of you,” Oliver said, “has
been given something special, a gift that makes the forest better. Benny the
Beaver builds strong dams. Daisy the Deer finds safe paths through the woods.
Rosie the Rabbit brings laughter wherever she goes. And Penny the Parrot, she
fills the air with encouragement and joy.”
Penny blushed and fluffed her
feathers. “I do try to cheer everyone up,” she said with a smile.
Oliver nodded. “And that’s exactly
what the forest needs. You see, when each animal uses their gift for others,
something wonderful happens: the whole forest grows stronger. It’s what I call the
power of together.”
The fox tilted his head. “But
Oliver, what if we all just take care of ourselves? Isn’t that enough?”
Oliver chuckled softly. “Ah, clever
fox, taking care of yourself is important, but helping others is what makes the
forest thrive. Let me tell you a story.”
The
Great Bridge of Evergreen Creek
“Many seasons ago,” Oliver began, “a
storm swept through the forest. Rain poured for days, and the river rose higher
than anyone had ever seen. When the sun finally came out, the animals discovered
something terrible: the old log bridge across Evergreen Creek had washed away.”
The forest animals gasped. Without
the bridge, they couldn’t reach the berry fields or visit friends on the other
side of the water.
“For a while,” Oliver continued,
“each animal tried to fix it alone. Benny the Beaver worked all day dragging
logs to the creek, but the current kept pulling them away. Daisy the Deer tried
pushing branches into place, but they floated downstream. Felix the Fox tied
vines together, but they snapped in the rushing water. Everyone tried their
best, but nothing worked.”
The animals under the tree frowned.
They could imagine the frustration.
“One morning,” said Oliver, “the
animals gathered together just like you’re gathered here tonight. They decided
that if they worked as one, they might have a chance.”
Building
the Bridge
“Benny the Beaver brought the logs.
Daisy the Deer steadied them with her strong legs. Felix the Fox tied vines to
hold them in place. Penny the Parrot flew above, calling out directions. And
Rosie the Rabbit carried small stones to fill the gaps between the logs.
“It was hard work,” said Oliver.
“The current was strong, and some days the river seemed to fight them. But when
one grew tired, another took their place. When someone made a mistake, the
others helped to fix it. When spirits grew low, Penny’s voice soared through
the air, ‘Keep going! We can do this together!’
“And little by little, their work
began to take shape. One log, one vine, one stone at a time, until finally,
they had built a bridge even stronger than the one before.”
The animals below Oliver clapped
their paws, flapped their wings, and stomped their hooves in delight.
The
Lesson of the Bridge
Oliver waited until the excitement
quieted, then said softly, “That bridge became more than wood and vines. It
became a symbol of what happens when we help one another. The beaver could not
have done it alone. The deer could not have done it alone. The fox, the parrot, and the rabbit, none could have finished it alone. But together, they did something
wonderful. The bridge became a gift to the whole forest.”
The raccoon raised his paw. “So what
you’re saying is… working together makes things stronger?”
“Exactly,” said Oliver. “The sum of
what we do together is always greater than what any of us can do by ourselves.
It’s like a nest; one twig means little, but many twigs woven together can hold
life.”
The animals smiled, nodding with
understanding.
“The forest,” Oliver continued, “is
like that bridge, full of animals helping one another. When one shares food,
when another gives shelter, when someone encourages a friend, all of these acts
keep the forest alive and full of peace.”
The
Forest Learns the Lesson
The next morning, after Oliver’s
talk, something amazing happened. A heavy branch had fallen across the meadow
path, blocking the way to the stream. Normally, each animal would have gone
around or waited for someone else to move it. But this time, they looked at one
another and smiled.
“Let’s do it together!” said Daisy
the Deer.
Benny the Beaver began gnawing
through one end while Felix tied vines around the other. Rosie and her rabbit
friends dug underneath to loosen the dirt, and Penny the Parrot cheered from
above, counting out the rhythm of their teamwork.
“One, two, three, push!” she called.
With one great effort, the branch
rolled aside, and the path was clear again. The animals laughed and celebrated,
proud of what they had accomplished, not for themselves, but for everyone.
When they crossed the meadow that
evening, the sun poured golden light through the trees, and the forest seemed
to hum with joy.
High above in his oak, Oliver
watched and smiled. “Ah,” he whispered softly, “they’ve learned the power of
together.”
Poem:
The Power of Together
When many paws work side by side,
The forest sings with joy and pride.
One can do little, but all can do much.
When hearts unite with a gentle touch.
Logs may be heavy, the river may
roar,
However, working together, we can always accomplish more.
A bridge is not built by strength or by speed.
But by kindness and teamwork in every deed.
So share what you have and lend what
you can.
Help every neighbor, every friend, every clan.
For together we shine, forever we stand,
Building the beauty of life hand in hand.
Discussion
Questions:
1.
What lesson did Oliver want the
animals to learn about working together?
2.
How did the animals show teamwork
when they built the bridge and cleared the fallen branch?
3.
What are some ways you can help
others around you, just like the animals in Evergreen Forest did?
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