In a quiet clearing,
Bathed in gentle light,
Lived a deer with soft eyes and golden fur.
His name was Ananda,
Which means joy.
Ananda was not like other deer.
He didn't run endlessly or hide all the time.
He took his time to listen,
To feel,
To simply be.
One day,
As he was drinking by the river,
He heard a faint cry.
He approached gently and discovered a man caught in a trap.
Ropes were tightly wrapped around his legs.
The man was afraid.
The deer could have run away,
But he stayed.
He gently nibbled through the ropes,
One by one,
Without hurting the man.
He set him free,
Then slowly stepped back.
The man looked at him with wide eyes.
He had never seen such a noble creature.
He wanted to speak,
But the deer had already disappeared into the forest.
The next day,
The man went to see the king.
He told him what had happened.
A deer saved me.
He is kinder and wiser than many men.
The king was determined to see this deer.
He gave the order to capture it alive.
But the man,
With a heavy heart,
Returned to the forest.
He found Ananda,
Peaceful,
Sitting under a tree.
Little deer,
Forgive me.
I spoke too loudly,
And now they want to take you away.
Ananda replied softly,
You spoke from your heart.
Don't blame yourself.
If I must go,
I will go.
But I do not regret my kindness.
When the soldiers arrived,
Ananda did not run.
He walked beside them.
But when the king saw him,
He was deeply moved.
He saw in his eyes a rare wisdom,
A vast peace.
Release him,
He said.
Let such a pure being live free.
And let his forest be protected forever.
And from that day on,
The forest was sacred.
And those who entered would sometimes hear a gentle rustling in the leaves,
Like the soft beating of a quiet heart.
You know,
You don't have to be a king,
Or a queen,
To be great.
The deer didn't run.
He didn't shout.
He simply stayed true to himself,
Gentle,
Faithful,
Courageous.
Sometimes being good means choosing to help,
Even when we are afraid.
It means believing that kindness can reach others,
Even far away.
And you too have that light within you.
It's there,
Even when you can't see it.
It shines in a smile,
An open hand,
A tender silence.
Close your eyes,
Little heart.
Breath gently.
And let your inner forest glow with peace.
Good night.
Thank you.
