The Wise Old Owl in the Tree
High up in an old oak tree sat the wise old owl. She said nothing… but she always listened. One sunny afternoon, the little calf lay down under the tree. "Owl, why am I never allowed on the meadow? I just lie here… and it feels like I’m always waiting."
The owl looked down, blinked slowly with her eyes… but said nothing. "You must be very wise," the calf murmured softly. Soon after, the little dog came by and looked up. "Owl, you know… I just want to run free! But I always have to wait until someone plays with me."
The owl turned her head slightly, but stayed silent. "You are so wise," whispered the dog. Then the bee buzzed by and hovered in the air. "Owl, I can barely find flowers anymore. There are fewer every year…how are we supposed to keep making honey?"
The owl looked at her kindly, but said nothing. "You are so wise," murmured the bee. Then the piglet came and looked up sadly. "Owl… everything is getting more expensive. The feed, the straw… I don’t understand. How is this supposed to go on?"
The owl blinked slowly… but said nothing. "You really are a wise owl," sighed the piglet. Then the frog sat down at the foot of the tree. "Owl… the water in the pond has gotten so warm. They say the Earth is getting hotter, and I can feel it… it’s no longer nice."
The owl closed her eyes for a moment and listened. "You are so wise," croaked the frog. Finally the little mouse came scurrying up, its phone in its paws. "Owl, and the Wi-Fi in the forest is terrible too… nothingworks!" The owl turned her head and looked at the mouse kindly… but again said nothing. "You are so smart and wise," squeaked the mouse.
As the sun set, they all sat together under the tree.
"He never says anything," said the calf.
"But he listens," said the dog.
"And that is actually nice," said the bee.
"That’s what makes him so wise," said the piglet.
"Yes," croaked the frog.
"That’s how I want to be too," squeaked the mouse.
High up in the tree, the owl blinked her eyes slowly one more time. And everyone understood: True wisdom… means being a good listener.
Food for thought
Sometimes listening helps more than speaking. Those who listen well understand others better and become wiser themselves.