In the middle of
the forest,
among leafy
trees and wild
flowers, lived a
little owl
called CeeCee.
Although she had
been born and
raised in that
environment
among friends
and kind
animals, CeeCee
lived tormented
by fear. She saw
danger
everywhere,
behind every
tree and enemies
under every
rock.
During the day,
she walked
around bumping
into things,
like all of her
kind, incapable
of seeing
properly. But
when night fell,
CeeCee's
suffering was
greater.
Afraid to move,
she remained on
the branch of
the tree that
served her as
shelter,
shivering from
head to toe,
with those big
wide eyes that
the Lord had
given her.
At the slightest
noise, she would
hide her head
between her
wings and stay
there, trembling
and cowering.
 |
One day, Master
Owl, who was
very intelligent
and wise,
approached her
and invited
CeeCee:
- Want to go for
a flight?
CeeCee lifted
her head,
fearful:
- I would love
to, Master Owl,
but I can't. Oh!
How I suffer! -
and she burst
into tears.
Further widening
his eyes, Master
Owl
|
|
exclaimed: |
|
- Come on! Why
not?
Looking around,
CeeCee whispered
in fear:
- Does the
Master not hear
the noise of the
approaching
monster?
- Monster? But
CeeCee, there is
no monster!
- Isn't there?
Listen to the
noise! And what
about the fierce
wolf stalking
me, waiting for
an opportunity
to grab me?
- Wolf? But
there are no
wolves in this
forest! Have you
seen it?
- I do not need
to see it to
know it exists.
I
|
 |
always
hear its
howls.
- It is fear
that makes you
believe in these
things, CeeCee |
- I knew that
Master Owl would
not believe me.
Ah! And there's
even a ghost
that peeps at me
through the
trees with his
coruscating
eyes!
Shaking his
head, Master Owl
said calmly and
gently:
- CeeCee, I
believe you hear
everything you
say. But your
fear makes you
misinterpret
everything you
hear and see.
And making a
decision, he
ordered her:
- Come with me.
- No! I'm
scared! -
exclaimed the
timid owl.
- Do not be
afraid. You will
see that
everything has a
very simple
explanation.
Well, where to
start?
Which side you
said the monster
was?
- That one!
They flew, with
care and
attention, in
the direction
pointed by
CeeCee. When
they got near
the place from
where the noise
came, Master Owl
removed some
twigs and found
the gentle eyes
of Mrs. Doe and
her cubs.
- Ah, Master
Owl! My puppies
do not want to
settle tonight.
It's already
late and they
can't sleep -
justified Mrs.
Doe.
Seeing them,
CeeCee breathed
relieved.
- Are you calmer
now? The
"monster" noise
was simply the
noise of the
agitated cubs
stepping on the
dry leaves on
the ground!
- Okay! But what
about the wolf?
- CeeCee
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 |
|
asked. |
|
They flew in the
direction CeeCee
claimed to have
heard howls,
until they
reached a cave.
The noise seemed
to come from
there.
CeeCee hid
herself and only
Master Owl had
the courage to
approach it. He
entered the cave
and soon emerged
with a laugh.
- There is no
wolf, CeeCee!
... You know
what makes the
noise? The wind
passes through a
crack in the
cave and
whistles,
producing the
sound, similar
to a terrifying
howl. Now let us
see the ghost.
They flew to
where CeeCee
said she saw two
coruscating eyes
that stared at
her. And what
did it turn out
to be? Just the
reflection of
moonlight on the
bulges of a
rock.
Embarrassed,
CeeCee lowered
her head.
- You see? Fear
is in our head,
CeeCee. We are
afraid of
everything we
cannot see and
everything we do
not know.
Indeed, we must
learn to trust
God, who never
abandons his
children - said
her friend.
CeeCee agreed
with Master Owl,
and from that
day on, she
became a much
more quiet and
happier owl.
And she never
again saw danger
where there was
nothing!
Aunt Celia
