Once upon a time, in a land far away,
There was a young seed, just starting to sway.
With dreams of fruition, it yearned to grow tall,
And have an all-encompassing impact on all.

It pushed its way up, through the dirt and the slough,
With a spirit so strong, it could never give up.
It felt the sun's warmth, and the rain's gentle shower,
And gradually, it began to ascend higher and higher.

But the road was not easy, for there were many a trial,
Like the winds that would blow, and the heat of the vale.
But the seed persevered, and finally, one day,
It saw its fruition, in a most beautiful way.

It had become a tree, tall and grand,
With branches stretching, to touch the sky's hand.
Its leaves were a symbol, of hope and of love,
And its roots held fast, in the earth above.

But then, one day, a strong storm came,
And the tree was shaken, as if it were insane.
It swayed and it rocked, in the winds fierce play,
And the tree thought, that it would break away.

But then, something magical happened, you see,
Its roots held firm, and it stood steadfast and free.
It had learned, that true strength comes from within,
And that nothing in life, is ever certain.

So the tree continued, to grow and to thrive,
And its beauty radiated, making all around come alive.
And though the years passed, and it may have grown old,
Its spirit remained steadfast, and its impact untold.

So let this be a lesson, to all that you do,
That with hard work and perseverance, your dreams will come true.
And though life may bring challenges, never give in,
For the strength you possess, is all-encompassing within.

Reflections

1. What did the young seed dream of becoming?
2. What challenges did the seed face as it grew into a tree?
3. How did the tree show that it had become strong and steadfast?
4. What did the tree learn about true strength?
5. What message does the story convey to the reader?
6. How can the reader apply the lesson from the story in their own life?
7. What other things in nature can you think of that show perseverance and determination?