By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
to the Story:
Life is like a river, always
flowing, always moving forward, no matter what stands in its way. Sometimes it
runs smoothly and calmly, other times it rushes over rocks and boulders, but it
never stops. Every bend and ripple teaches us something new about strength,
courage, and faith. The calm moments teach us gratitude, while the storms teach
us perseverance and hope. Happiness is not found in the still water but in
learning how to flow through every change with grace. When we choose kindness,
serve others, and face challenges with a smile, we make the current of life
brighter for everyone. Each of us has a river within, a journey meant to keep
moving toward purpose and love. Flow with faith, live with joy, and remember
that every drop of life is a blessing from above.
In the heart of Evergreen Forest,
where tall pines reached the sky and silver streams weaved between mossy rocks,
there stood a great oak tree older than anyone could remember.
High upon its strongest branch sat Oliver the Owl, wise, gentle, and full of
stories. His golden eyes shimmered like lanterns in the dusk, and his voice
carried through the trees like a calm wind.
The animals loved to gather beneath
Oliver’s tree, especially when the moon rose high and the stars glittered
above. That’s when Oliver shared his wisdom, stories of courage, faith, and
love that made every creature in the forest feel a little braver, a little
kinder, and a little more alive.
One peaceful evening, the air was
cool, and the scent of pine drifted through the forest. Rabbits, deer,
squirrels, and foxes gathered quietly in a circle beneath the oak. Even the shy
hedgehog and the tiny field mouse came to listen.
Oliver ruffled his feathers, looked
down at his friends, and began in his deep, thoughtful voice.
“Tonight, my dear friends,” he said,
“I want to tell you something very important, something about life itself.”
The animals leaned closer, their
eyes wide.
“Life,” Oliver began, “is like a
river.”
The forest grew silent. Only the
sound of the nearby stream could be heard, whispering softly through the rocks.
The
River’s Lesson
“Imagine,” said Oliver, “that each
of you is a river. You begin as a small trickle — a tiny stream born from the
rain of Heaven or the melting of snow. You start small, almost unnoticed. But
as you move, you grow. You gather strength from the hills and valleys you pass
through.
“Some days, your waters will be
calm, still, and peaceful, reflecting the sunlight like glass. Those are your
happy days, when all feels right and your heart is full. Treasure those times.
“But not every day will be calm.
Sometimes you’ll find big boulders blocking your way. Sometimes you’ll crash
against them, creating waves and noise and struggle. But remember, even then,
the river keeps moving forward.”
The animals nodded slowly. The fox
tilted his head. “But what if the river gets stuck?” he asked.
Oliver chuckled softly. “Ah, wise
question, young fox. Rivers may twist and turn, but they never stop. They find
another way. Around the rock, under it, or sometimes over it! The river knows
that stopping means it ceases to be a river. So it flows, always forward,
always becoming.”
The rabbits whispered to each other
in wonder, and even the little hedgehog looked inspired.
“The same is true for you,” Oliver
continued. “Life will bring challenges, sickness, sadness, loss, and fear. But
it will also bring joy, laughter, and love. You must learn to flow through it
all. To be still when life is calm, and to stay strong when the waters rise.”
The
Obstacles of Life
Oliver spread his wings and pointed
toward the stream that sparkled in the moonlight. “Look there. What do you
see?”
Daisy the Deer stepped closer. “I
see water flowing around a big rock.”
“Exactly,” said Oliver. “That rock
is like the challenges we face. The river doesn’t stop and cry about it. It
doesn’t give up. It simply finds another way. You see, my friends, happiness is
not about having an easy journey. It’s about learning to move forward, even
when it’s hard.”
Milo the Mouse squeaked, “But what
if the water feels too strong?”
Oliver smiled kindly. “That’s when
you lean on others. Just as small streams join together to make great rivers,
we must join together as friends, family, and community. When you share
kindness, when you help another, your river grows stronger.”
He paused for a moment, letting his
words settle like ripples in the water.
“Remember this, joy is a choice,” he
said softly. “Every day, you decide whether to be a river of hope or a puddle
of worry. Choose hope. Choose kindness. Choose to keep flowing.”
The
River Within
As the night deepened, Oliver’s
voice became gentle, almost like a lullaby.
“There is a river inside every one
of you,” he said. “It’s made of love, courage, and the dreams that live in your
heart. It carries your purpose and your story. And when you live with kindness
and joy, your river flows clear and bright, nourishing everyone around you.”
The fox smiled. “Like when we help
each other?”
“Exactly,” said Oliver. “When you
comfort a friend, share what you have, or offer a smile, your waters sparkle.
The world becomes more beautiful because of you.”
The owl’s golden eyes glowed in the
moonlight as he looked across the faces below. “And one more thing, never wish
away the hard times. For just as the rapids shape the river’s path, challenges
shape your strength. Without the rocks, the river would not sing.”
The forest was still, the only sound
the soft murmur of the stream. Every creature felt a warmth in their heart, a
sense that they understood something important.
Oliver smiled. “Now go, my friends.
Flow like the river. Live fully, love deeply, and let your kindness ripple far
and wide.”
The animals lingered for a moment,
gazing at the stream that glittered under the stars. The fox saw how it curved
around the stones. The rabbit noticed the tiny bubbles that danced over the
pebbles. The deer saw the moon’s reflection stretching like a silver ribbon.
They realized the wise owl was
right, the river never stopped, and neither would they.
That night, as each animal returned
home, the forest felt more alive. The stream seemed to sing louder. The trees
whispered encouragement. Even the wind carried a sense of peace.
And from high above, perched in his
oak, Oliver the Owl watched and smiled, knowing his words had found their way
into many little hearts.
For in the end, wisdom, like water,
flows, touching every life it passes through.
Poem:
The River Within
Flow, little river, flow through the
land,
Over the pebbles, through soft golden sand.
Twist with the valleys, climb with the rain,
Find your own path through joy and through pain.
When storms may come and the waters
race wild,
Hold to your purpose, stay gentle, stay mild.
The rocks that you meet are not there to stay,
They’re shaping your courage along the way.
Each drop that you carry, each turn
that you find,
It is a lesson of love for your heart and your mind.
For life is a river, keep flowing, keep true,
The world will be brighter because of you.
Discussion
Questions:
1.
What did Oliver the Owl mean when he
said that life is like a river?
2.
How can we “flow like the river”
when we face hard times or challenges?
3.
What are some ways we can help
others’ rivers flow brighter and smoother every day?
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