The Ancient Tree

The story

How the world was found

Toto followed a lullaby through the trees until the forest turned deep emerald and he came to the oldest tree of all. His arms are strong, his trunk is wide, and when he sings, musical notes drift up through his leaves.

The Ancient Tree has been here since the beginning of time. He has heard every secret and every story. He told Toto that when you close your eyes beneath his leaves, you can go right back to the beginning too, and fill up your well.

So Toto lay down in the dappled green light with Glee the Gnome nearby, a grey mouse at his feet and a pink bird singing above, and he rested. Not because he was lazy, but because resting is how you grow.

A word from the author

“Children are told to hurry so often. I wanted one world where the bravest thing you can do is stop. The tree does not rush. He has been growing for ever and he is still growing. I hoped a child would lean against a real tree one day and feel that same patience holding them up.”
Jaany

Draft for Jaany to replace in her own words: how this world came about, and what she hoped it would give a child.

Lines to keep

The words that do the work

“Fill up your well.”

The gentlest picture of rest a child can carry. A well does not fill by trying harder. It fills by being still, and then there is plenty to give.

“Since the beginning of time.”

Patience, made enormous. Whatever is worrying a child today is very small next to a tree that has been growing since the world began.

“Can you hear his song?”

An invitation to listen. Real trees do sing, in wind and leaves and birds. The question sends children outside with their ears open.

What this story helps with

What it gives your child

Learning that rest is not lazy; it is how you fill up
Patience, from a tree that grew slowly since the beginning of time
A safe place to picture when the world feels loud, or at bedtime
Stillness as a way into their own inner wisdom
Calm, safe, peaceful, rested, wise: the words of this world

Who you will meet

The characters of The Ancient Tree

Toto

the gift

Playful, grounded and brave. His name means gift. Toto’s journey is the journey of the body: resting under the oldest tree, sitting by the campfire of the elements, falling happily asleep as the garden sings.

the wisdom keeper

Older than time, with closed eyes and an open, singing mouth. He is rest itself: strong, patient and endlessly kind. He asks nothing of you except that you stop for a while.

Glee the Gnome

joyful rest

Purple body, yellow hat, yellow boots and a beard. Glee lives near the castle on the green hill and shows that rest can be cheerful, not dull. Naps are allowed to be fun.