The Meadow’s Gentle Tales. Alex Chekhanovski

voice calling from outside. “Help! Oh, please, someone help!” The voice was small and weak, and Benny, his ears perked up with concern, knew that someone was in need of assistance. He recognized the voice as that of a little glow-worm named Lumina, who lived in a nearby patch of wildflowers. She was known to have a gentle heart and kind spirit. Though his body trembled with fear, Benny knew he had to be brave. He peeked out from under his blanket, his eyes wide with trepidation, and taking a deep, shaky breath, he hopped out of his burrow and into the inky darkness. The meadow was transformed; the familiar shapes of trees and flowers now appeared as towering, mysterious figures. Benny’s fear was real, like a cold hand gripping his heart, but the thought of the little glow-worm in distress spurred him forward, each hop a little braver than the last. He took long, purposeful hops forward, looking closely for his friend. As he ventured through the darkness, Benny began to notice how beautiful the night could be. The stars twinkled like tiny diamonds scattered across a velvet cloth, the moon shone with a gentle, silvery light, casting long, ethereal shadows, and fireflies danced among the wildflowers like living jewels, their tiny lights creating patterns of beauty. He soon found Lumina caught in a thorny bush. With a gentle nudge of his nose, Benny freed her, and in gratitude, Lumina lit up the path for Benny, her glow creating a safe and magical passage through the meadow. He found himself mesmerised by her light. Benny realised that the night, when you truly looked, was not scary at all; it was actually full of wonder and magic. He escorted Lumina back to her home, and as he looked up at the beautiful night sky, Benny understood that being brave wasn’t about not being afraid, it was about doing what was right, even when your heart was still filled with fear.

      4. Chippy’s Cozy Homes

      High in the branches of an ancient oak tree that towered above the rest of the Whispering Woods, where sunlight streamed through the leaves like golden ribbons and the air was filled with the gentle rustling of leaves, lived a small, cheerful bird named Chippy. Chippy was a tiny bird with bright, curious eyes, a heart brimming with kindness, and feathers the colour of warm honey. She loved her home and her life in the woods, surrounded by so many other birds, all of whom filled the forest each morning with their glorious songs. There were trills and whistles, melodies that made the leaves rustle and the flowers dance, tunes that soared through the air and filled every creature with joy. But when Chippy opened her small beak to sing, all that came out were strange, chirpy noises that sounded nothing like a proper song at all. It was a series of stutters, squeaks, and squawks, unlike anything she had ever heard before. Chippy often sat quietly, hidden among the leaves, as the other birds sang their cheerful songs. She watched the other birds singing happily, and a feeling of sadness would creep into her heart. She felt different, as though she were not quite like the rest of them. Her heart was longing to be able to share music with her friends. One day, however, while she was observing the forest from high in her tree, she noticed that the nests of the other birds were becoming a little bit flimsy, some were even falling apart. The recent storms had taken their toll on many homes in the forest. Until that moment, she had not been paying attention to their nests. Chippy had a knack for using her beak and claws to weave and construct with great skill, and she had always been incredibly diligent in everything that she did. With renewed purpose, Chippy set to work, using her own unique talents and gifts to build beautiful, strong nests. She carefully selected each twig and leaf, ensuring they were securely fastened and would be able to withstand the storms and winds. She crafted each nest to be cozy, safe, and comfortable for the other birds and their families. Soon, the other birds began to realise that a good home was just as important as a good song, and they asked Chippy to build nests for them too. As she worked, Chippy felt a warm glow inside. She realised, with a happy leap of her heart, that she didn’t need to sing a beautiful song to be special. Her unique gifts and talents were just as valuable. She was special and worthy of all the love and happiness in the forest. She had finally understood that every bird, every creature, and every living thing had their own unique gifts, and that it was incredibly important to celebrate the qualities of others, and the value that they brought to the world.