You Are Not Alone
An original story inspired by the Irish folklore and countryside by Jane Tate
Deep in the woods among the big horse chestnut trees and the woodland plants lived a giant.
He had lived there for as long as he could remember. Although he loved the woods and the animals he shared it with, he felt lonely.
At times he felt isolated in this grand wood and wanted some company to share things with.
He loved the sound of the old wise owl in the wood hooting through the trees at night. The sounds of voices of people enjoying the woodland on a spring day. He would love to join them but dared not leave his tree house for fear of frightening them away.
One misty morning in Autumn he saw in the distance a large form that he had never seen before.
As it drew nearer he realized it was a magnificent red stag. The beautiful stag was in full antler and they reached out like branches from the largest trees in the wood.
The stag lifted his head gracefully and slowly looked straight toward the giant’s treehouse.
At first the giant was slightly alarmed by the stag’s presence but slowly he moved closer.
The stag looked up at the giant and said “How long have you lived here?” The giant replied “forever”.
“Are you happy?” asked the stag.
“Yes I am happy but I feel lonely sometimes”.
“Come with me” replied the stag.
Slowly the giant got up and followed the beautiful creature.
The stag took the giant deeper into the lush woodland.
After a while they came to a clearing, to a place the giant had never been before.
In the clearing was a beautiful pond where the water was crystal clear and the sound of the water flowed and trickled over the rocks.
All the creatures of the woodland were there playing in the grass and enjoying the cool water.
The giant was overcome by the beauty of the place.
The stag lifted his large head and said “Here is the place where you will never feel alone or isolated, your friends are here in the trees, the water, the spring flowers and the renewal of life that goes on forever. You must get to see these things and know them. This is life here, embrace it all and then you will never feel alone again.
The giant felt a peace and happiness he hadn’t felt before. He realised he hadn’t really seen what was around him all the time - from the towering beauty of the trees to the smallest creatures and woodland plants.
The wonderful renewal of life that goes on forever.
He turned to say thank you to the stag but he had gone.
The giant felt he was truly home at last and that is where he always belonged.
