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The Secret Heart of the Tree One day a rabbit took shelter from the sun under the shade of great big tree. Before sitting down however, she asked its permission. The tree shook with happiness and answered, "Of course." Then down from its branches dropped a piece of ripe fruit. The rabbit thanked the tree profusely. Sometime later the rabbit felt an itch in her back and asked politely if she might scratch the itch on the tree's marvelous trunk. The tree again shook with delight and answered, "Of course." Now the tree was pleased with rabbit's respect and courtesy and said, "Rabbit, you are the first creature to show me such respect and appreciation. I would like to show you something in return. I will show you my secret heart if you wish. I only ask that you not touch or take anything." Slowly from the trunk opened two doors. Rabbit stepped inside. It was the most beautiful garden she had ever seen. A stream ran through it, and its bed was glittering with gold and silver gems. On the bushes grew fruits, and from the trees jewels glittered. All was peaceful. Gradually rabbit became aware of a green gem the size of a coconut, which was pulsating like a giant rock. It took her breath away. She wanted to touch it but instead sat in front of it in awe. Then the tree, spoke. "You have shown me that you keep your word. Therefore I would like to give you a gift. Take any small gem you see." Rabbit decided on a simple gold ring to wear on her tail. She thanked the tree and left, promising not to tell anyone what she had seen. On the way home, rabbit was ambushed by Hyena. Hyena saw the ring and threatened to kill rabbit if she did not tell him where it had come from. Rabbit, afraid for her life, told Hyena how she had obtained the ring. The next day Hyena went to the tree and in his most polite manner, (which isn't very) asked to sit, ate the fruit, scratched, and was admitted to see the heart, provided he didn't touch anything. Hyena immediately set about eating the fruit and stuffing the gems into sacks that he had brought. When he saw the pulsating gem he laughed with delight and stuffed that too into his sack. But suddenly the light began to fade inside the tree, and the doors began to close. Hyena dropped everything and ran towards the doors, but did not reach them in time to escape. Hyena was never seen again. It is said that after that the trees have never shown anyone their secret hearts, as a trust was broken. Trust must be earned, but it can also be rebuilt if one is determined. We each hold the secret hearts of all the things in our hands.
