Harvesting Acorns (21 page)

James
was awarded the village’s prestigious community builder award as well as the
country’s most inspiring work by children award. He had received bursary’s for
the remainder of his school years as well as scholarship for whatever tertiary
study he would choose when the time came. He already knew what he wanted to be:
a journalist like Chloe Dane. Either that, or a marine biologist like granddad
Joel. Perhaps he would be both.

Love
blossomed unexpectedly between Jessica and Blake. He was welcomed and absorbed
into the community. He brought valuable skills to the village and was invited
to work closely with the conservation department in creating awareness for
increasing sustainability in all areas of life in the village – from the
growing of produce, to the implementation of effective recycling facilities.
Jessica was smitten with her flower child suitor and James approved. It goes
without saying that Grace and Joel did too.

And
the oak…She continued to reach higher and higher, wider and wider, spreading
dreams and giving hope. Every autumn the children of the village would gather
to harvest acorns and every spring new love was born or celebrated under the
branches. These became annual village celebrations that drew people from all
over the country. She was recognised as a main attraction and her story was
passed down from generation to generation. Tourists would pose for pictures
with a hand on her bark and would take acorns home to loved ones needing a bit
of encouragement with fading dreams.

No
one visited the tree without leaving with a sense of magic and wonder. She became
a landmark of hope and the realisation of dreams.

The End