Once upon a time, there was a huge tree that
was always talking. Its roots were so deep as if
touching the heart of the earth. Its branches
were so tall as if touching the heart of the sun.
Next to it, there were more trees. Some of them
were silent, some of them were angry and some
of them were happy.
Into the forest, the huge tree was talking all the
time until it forgot where it was.
Suddenly, a strong wind moved its branches so
much that it fell to the next tree and got hurt.
2
- Oh, my branches hurt and one of them has
been broken.
- Huge tree, are you ok?
- Oh, I am in pain.
Then the tree thought,
" It is time for my secret,"Enosis" .
My branches
are so high that are touching the universal
heart and my roots are so deep that are
touching the heart of the earth.
I feel so happy when I remember the secret!
My whole trunk, my branches and my roots are
filled with light! Filled with joy!
3
The next day, the huge tree began the same old
story... It forgot about the secret and talked all
the time. Its friends tried to talk to it but it
didn't hear anyone like there was no one there.
Suddenly, a storm began. Water was all over the
tree.
The huge tree screamed:
" What is happening to me? The water is all over
me, I am falling apart! What should I do?
Oh no, I don't want this to happen. What should
I do?
I've got it! The secret!!!
My roots are deep down into the heart of the
earth, so deep that I am not falling apart.
My branches are in the center of the universal
heart.
I am stronger and lighter.
5
The storm stopped.
The huge tree was relieved
and went on talking without a stop, until the
ground was shaking.
The poor tree thought:
"What's wrong? The earth is shaking! Is it the
end of my life? My trunk is jarring. It hurts!
Help! Help! Help! The... the secret, it mumbled.
I have strong roots that are deep down into the
heart of the earth.
My branches are inside the universal heart.
I am strong!
7
The earthquake stopped, but the tree was
carried away for one more time . It talked
without listening to anyone else, until one day,
a wildfire broke out into the forest.
" Oh, my God, the wildfire doesn't stop. God,
You are the only one that can hear my prayers.
Please tell the fire to stop, so that my friends -
the trees - and the whole forest will survive."
The wildfire kept going. The huge tree was
disappointed, as the fire was coming closer.
9
"These are my last hours.
Dear friends, I am sorry if I annoyed you with
my chatter, I didn't listen to you when you were
trying to talk to me. Forgive me for whatever I
did that made you feel bad. Now, the only thing
I want for these last hours is to focus on my
secret:
My branches are inside the universal heart,
my roots are into the heart of the earth.
Oh, I feel joy, even the last few hours of my life!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Suddenly, a storm began and the fire was put
out. The huge tree survived!
10
Forty days and forty nights passed by.
The huge tree is full of joy and light!
The secret became its second nature.... it never
forgot that its branches are inside the heart of the
universal heart and its roots are into the heart
of the earth.
12
It didn't forget its friends though, the other
trees in the forest.
It taught them about the "secret".
Now, all the trees live calmly and happily.
Happiness is spread out in the forest
and eventually into the whole world.
Everybody lives harmoniously and happily!
14
The tree
that was always talking
Foteini Dimitriou
is a Yoga instructor and writer.
Her first folktale "The tree that was always
talking" was punlished in 2014
and at the same year she founded
Yoga Family Violet Alignment.
Her first collection of folktales
"Yoga Folktales", was published by Academy
of poetry and folktales in 2015.
