The Secret Tree

Sally came running in the door…”Grandma I have a secret!” She yelled. It’s a really, really good secret…but I promised not to tell.” “I want to keep my promise but you don’t know how hard it’s been.” “Trying not to tell anyone…trying to keep this secret in.” Sally looked up at her Grandma…her wide eyes, big and blue… “Grandma can you help me? Grandma tell me what to do?” Grandma took Sally out to her back yard saying…“There’s something I want you to see. They sat down under a very large oak… “This is my secret tree.” “Grandma…” Sally laughed …”This is not a secret tree! Everybody knows about it…everyone can see…” Grandma put a finger to her lips…and gently shook her head “The tree is not the secret, silly…it’s what it holds.” she said. Ever since I was a little girl…and a secret was given to me I’d hurry home and sit right here…underneath this very tree.” “And when I was sure I was alone…that secret I’d retrieve then I would let that secret out and share it with the leaves. And so this tree is filled with secrets…every secret I ever brought secrets she will never tell…and some I’m sure I’ve long forgot…. With that Grandma stood up and walked away…happy as can be leaving Sally all alone in the shade of her secret tree. On her way to the house Grandma turned around and smiled… She couldn’t be sure but she believes Sally was whispering to the tree sharing her secret with the leaves.