Little World - The Big Tree And The Even Bigger Feeling

Today in Little World, Hazel the squirrel realises that the best feelings are the ones we grow ourselves.

Welcome to Little World, a gentle, magical place where kindness grows like wildflowers and every day brings a new adventure. A continuous series of children's stories. Join Hazel the squirrel, Pea the glowing fairy, Bob the thoughtful hedgehog and his cheerful boblets, Mable the scruffy dog, and Moon the wise old owl, as they explore friendship, feelings, fun, and the wonders of the natural world.

I created Little World 8 years ago, but never recorded them but I designed the stories to offer comfort to 5–9-year-olds and address some challenging feelings in a very gentle and indirect way through imagination, joy, and friendly support.

As always, if you have any ideas for a story that would help your child, please review and leave a comment on what would help. Thank you

Transcript

If you sat on a star, What could you see? The whole world, Actually. You could see the green of the grass and the blue of the ocean. You could see clouds looking like they're whipping up magical potions. You could see the moon rise and the sun when it sets. But the best bit of all is to be told to you yet. Just hold out your hand and wrap it around. The world is there, Safe and sound. Use your hand like a telescope. What can you see? The whole world is there, Full of possibility. So let's fly to the Earth where I'll show you, My friends. Where their love for each other never, Ever ends. You're welcome in Little World. Come take a seat. Where kindness and laughter and adventure all meet. Every story we share holds the truth, Soft and bright. That everything special is already inside. Now meet the gang, The best there could be. There's Hazel the squirrel, Who's wild and free. A gentle night owl is Moon, Calm and wise. And Pea the fairy, With shimmering eyes. There's Mabel the dog, Loyal and strong. And Bob the sweet hedgehog, Who always hums along. His wife and their boblets complete their warm nest. They think Auntie Hazel is the absolute best. My name is Charlotte, Your voice in the trees. So come join the fun whenever you please. Welcome to Little World. Let's begin our tale with wonder, With heart, And a warm fairy trail. Today in Little World, The big tree and the even bigger feeling. Hello my friend, How are you today? Today in Little World, The sun is just starting to rise. And everyone is gathered by the lake to watch it. The water is dark and still, But right across the surface is a beautiful golden line. The reflection of the rising sun. You can almost hear the sparkles. Pea turns to Moon and says, Look at the water, Moon. Doesn't the surface look like millions and trillions of diamonds dancing on the top? Moon nods slowly. It does. I love it when the sun rises and when it sets. Hazel flops down beside them with a sigh. Oh, You two are being very deep and meaningful. It's lovely. I wish I could think of deep and meaningful things to say too. Pea looks over and smiles. I believe you can say deep and meaningful things, Hazel. Hazel sits up straight, Suddenly serious. Let me have a think on this and I'll come back to you at sunset. Pea giggles and asks Bob what his favourite part of the day was. Bob the Hedgehog shuffles closer. Dinner time. When we all sit down together and Hazel tells us about her day. Even though we've been there with her, She makes it sound so wonderful and adventurous. Pea asks Mabel, What about you? Mabel, Wagging her tail, Says, I like jumping in the lake. Clears my mind. I'd have to move into the ocean to clear mine, Hazel says. They all laugh. Pea turns to Moon. Moon, What's your favourite part of day? Moon smiles gently. All of it, I guess. Hazel beams. Moon raises his eyebrows. Go on then, Hazel, Your turn. Hazel stands up dramatically. I love running round trees, As fast as I can go. But sometimes it's touch and go. Sometimes I fall off, Sometimes I don't. It's 50-50, It's Moon or Sun. Everyone stares at Hazel, Completely confused. Bob blinks. Hazel, What on earth are you talking about? Hazel throws her paws up. It's one or the other. You know, Opposites. Wet or dry. Possible, Impossible. She pulls a face like, Duh. And everyone bursts into giggles. Pea claps her hands with a plan. Come on gang, Let's go for a walk. As they wander through the park, They come across a massive old tree. Mabel stops in her tracks. Hazel, Look at that tree. Looks like a good one to me. Hazel's eyes widen. Oof, That's a bobby dazzler, That one. Before anyone can say anything, Hazel zooms off and starts running wildly around the tree. Arms stretched out, Legs flailing, Looking completely bonkers. Her eyes are huge, They could almost pop out. She looks like a spinning nut with feet. The friends fall over, Laughing. Then plop. Hazel slides down the tree trunk like a pigeon hitting a window. And lands on the ground with a thud. She opens her paw dramatically. Ta-da! Look what I found. Inside her paw was the biggest, Shiniest conker the group had ever seen. On the way home, The group pick up twigs and bits for the evening bonfire. Everyone has something except Hazel, Who's struggling to find the perfect stick. Her face drops. She looks a bit sulky. Her tail drags behind her. Mabel strolls past with a wonderful long stick in her mouth. She stops beside Hazel and says kindly, Come on, Hazel. It's okay, Grab the end of this one. We'll share it. Hazel bites the end and the two of them walk all the way back to the camp side by side, Carrying the stick together. Later, They all sit around the fire, Wrapped in blankets, Marshmallows roasting. Hazel is bouncing slightly in her seat. P turns to her and asks, So, Hazel, Did you manage to think of something deep and meaningful? Hazel nods, Eyes sparkling. I've been waiting for you to ask me. While I was pondering upon my thoughts, And while today was full of adventure, That great big tree and the conker I found. She pauses and places her squirrelly paws on her heart. This morning, I felt a little sad. Hazel said softly. Her tail curled around her. I was thinking, What if I'd never gone on that walk? What if I hadn't found Moon stuck in the old barbed wire fence? We might never have met him. And I just couldn't imagine our friendship family without our very own Moon. There was a quiet pause, And everyone looked lovingly at their wise owl friend. But then, Hazel continued, Her eyes brighter now. I realised something. I did find Moon, And he is part of our friendship family. That's what's real. That's what's true. And when I thought about that, I felt a warm little glow right in my chest. She tapped her paw over her heart. It made me understand that warm glow. It wasn't from the biggest conker in the park today, Or even the best stick for the bonfire which I found. She gave Mabel a playful wink. Those were just lovely feelings. The good feelings that came from me. I chose to feel it. I let myself notice the happy. And that made it glow. She smiled at her friends, And that got me thinking. Maybe joy isn't something we wait for. Maybe it's something we make. Maybe just by noticing the love that's already around us. Everyone stares at Hazel, Hearts full, Astonished at what she'd said. I wasn't expecting that from you. Hazel said pee. And the moon quietly said, I don't think I've ever loved anyone more than I love you right now, Hazel. The friends all giggle together, And the fire crackles gently on. And that, Dear friend, Was the story of the tree and the little squirrel who realized that the best feelings are the ones we grow ourselves.

Reviews

The little girl inside my sixty-plus-year-old self loves Little World, and this story in particular. It's a beautiful reminder to focus on what you love, to let yourself truly feel it, and to share that joy with your nearest and dearest. Thank you, Charlotte, for this sweet and lovely gift.