Umbrella Tree

“But I am afraid,” the little girl said.

“Why?” said the tree.

“Because the world is so very big, and I so very small.”

“We are all small when compared with the world, and one’s size does not matter when compared to the strength of one’s heart.”

“But the sun is so very hot, and the day so very bright.”

“Then sit below my branches when you are weary, and I will shade you from the sun until your strength returns.”

“But the weather is so terrible at times. What if it blows me away, and I am lost...