Once upon a time, in a sunny meadow filled with vibrant flowers and the sound of gentle breezes, there lived an old tortoise named Tommy. He was well known among all the animals in the area, not just for his age but for the wisdom he had gathered over his long life. Every afternoon, animals of all sizes would gather around him to hear stories and advice.
Despite his kind demeanor and thoughtful nature, Tommy faced a great challenge. The younger animals often scurried off, giggling to themselves, as he tried to share his knowledge. They would say things like, “What does a slow old turtle know about life anyway?” or “He just doesn’t want to admit that he’s past his useful days!” Tommy would merely smile and continue his quiet life, always hoping that today might be the day they changed their minds.
Days turned into weeks, and summer transformed gracefully into autumn. The younger animals grew ever more daring and sure of themselves. They tried all sorts of new tricks and games, often tumbling and crashing into each other but laughing it off as part of the fun. All the while, Tommy sat patiently, watching but never scolding. He knew they would learn in their own time.
One day, an old friend of Tommy’s, a wise owl named Olivia, approached him. “Dear Tommy,” she said, “have you noticed how reckless the younger ones have become? To crash and bump their way through life privately may seem amusing, but it will lead to grief if they are not careful. You should speak to the youngsters; they will listen to you.”
“Ah, but they will not,” groaned Tommy. “I have spoken, and they simply laugh. What is the use?”
“You may be underestimating them,” said Olivia. “You never know how your words may stay with them.”
Finally giving in to the old owl’s argument, Tommy invited the younger animals to join him. They came, looking quite interested, but more in what each was wearing than in what Tommy might say. “The air grows cooler, my little friends,” began Tommy. “Soon a storm will come. You have seen storms before, I am sure, and you know best how to be ready for them. Now, are you all well prepared? Tell me, what are you going to do?”
“Oh, what a lot of trials!” said Polly the Partridge. “We can easily wake up to the news of unexpected events like storms! We’ll get our feathers messed up, perhaps, but we’ll dry soon enough. Leave this one to us; we can manage our own affairs!”
They laughed and ran off through the grass to continue their games, leaving Tommy shaking his head in silent sadness. As the sun began to sink and the wind to rise, he withdrew into his cozy home.
The storm did come—the hardest storm anyone there had ever remembered. Tommy craned his neck from his door, wet and howling, where all his sage-like advice had gone so unheeded.
From dawn to sunset the storm howled, but where were Tommy’s young friends? Some were clinging to a fence rail but lost nearly all their feathers. Some were anxiously bobbing from tree to tree, but even the trees themselves had a great deal of trouble holding still as the wind screamed through them. And others were trying to keep their feathers dry as they floated in a shallow pool, yet with all their swimming they did not seem to be getting on.
But no, at last they could do no more; they were drenched, weary, and in despair. They flew down to Tommy. “Dear Tommy, dear old Tommy!” they cried; “we are almost tired to death!”
“Have I not told you this sort of thing would happen?” said Tommy quietly from his door.
“Yes. Will you not help us now for your old friend’s sake?” pleaded Olivia the Owl.
And so, with patient care, Tommy advised them where and how to make shelter and dry their bedraggled clothes. At last they were all well off, but by the time they were done the rain had ceased, and twilight quietly settled over the meadow.
“Dear Tommy,” said Olivia as she tucked her wings comfortably around her, “the day has gone, the storm has ceased to rage and the meadow begins to look bright and fresh again. You were right, dear Tommy, and I had wronged you; they did come and ask for your help, after all.”
“It is always so,” said Tommy quietly. “We must not always wait till our advice is asked.”
The animals all agreed that summer safely passed into autumn without further trouble, and from the stormy day they all learned one priceless lesson they never forgot.
Moral: Wisdom comes with age, and it’s important to respect and learn from elders.