Hello my name is Jacqueline and I am a very proud grandma.
I write stories for my grandchildren and I'm very happy to share them with you too.
So make yourself comfortable because my next story is about to begin.
Storm makes friends.
Meadow was beautiful inside and out.
He was always smiling and enjoyed his life immensely.
He loved everything about nature,
Especially the beautiful wildflowers and insects which he spent time with every day.
Today Meadow was out walking,
Admiring the wildflower patches which spread out like tapestries over soft green grass.
The wildflowers gave him so much joy as he watched their delicate heads waft gently in the soft warm breeze.
Amongst the wildflowers he could see the bees were busy collecting nectar and pollen and tiny insects were going about their day,
Moving in and out amongst the grass and flower leaves.
Meadow knew that wildflowers grew without any help from people and were nature's way to provide bees,
Butterflies and many other insects with food,
Shelter and nesting places.
Another perfect day,
Meadow thought to himself just as a magnificent purple butterfly gently landed upon him.
I hope nothing will spoil it.
Meadow looked around and could see thousands of wild flowers.
Their colours of pinks,
Whites,
Yellows,
Blues and purples all made him smile.
But as he got closer to some which had grown near a path,
Meadow could see they had been trampled upon by people out walking.
People who didn't seem to care or maybe just didn't know about the benefits of the wildflowers.
If only they would learn about them,
Meadow thought to himself,
Maybe then they would take more care about where they trod.
Seeing damaged wildflowers had always troubled Meadow,
But after talking to an understanding friend,
He learnt not to let this irritate him for too long.
If he allowed the negative feelings to stay with him,
They would only upset him more and have no effect on the people who had done the damage,
Because they would be long gone.
There really was no point getting angry towards an invisible person,
Was there?
So now when Meadow saw trampled flowers when nobody was around,
He would sigh to acknowledge the destruction and then take a deep breath as he moved away and focused on beautiful flowers elsewhere.
Not far from Meadow,
Forest was busy foraging for mushrooms amongst trees and shrubs.
Forest loved the different sizes and colours of the mushrooms.
Reds,
Yellows,
Lavenders,
Oranges,
Browns,
Even blues and blacks.
Some look like umbrellas on a stalk,
Others like golf balls,
Bells,
Funnels,
Pieces of coral and even honeycomb.
Forest knew how important mushrooms were for life on earth.
Mushrooms in fact are the fruit of a bigger organism,
The majority of which is underground and grows in tiny thread- like strands.
The part that we see is not only the fruit but the reproductive part.
It produces millions of tiny spores which creates more mushrooms and mushrooms are important because they help break down decomposing matter such as fallen trees,
Branches,
Leaves and pine needles,
Returning them to the earth as soil.
It always saddened Forest when she found mushrooms which had appeared to have been deliberately pulled from the ground or trodden on and killed.
She knew it was the walkers who destroyed them for no apparent reason because she had seen them.
Because Forest liked to be alone she would often hide behind trees when she heard people coming.
She would peek out from behind the tree trunk and watch as they passed by and that was when she saw them.
They would kick the mushrooms which were on the ground and pull the mushrooms from off tree barks and throw them to the ground.
But it wasn't all the walkers who done this.
Some would stop and admire the mushrooms often questioning to each other whether or not they were edible or poisonous and then they would continue walking happily away.
Forest felt frustrated and angry when she saw people destroying the mushrooms and she often wanted to step out from behind the tree and tell them off but she was too shy.
She had spoken to a very understanding friend about her dilemma.
Her friend had suggested that maybe the people were ignorant to the importance of mushrooms and also which ones were edible and which ones were not.
It was true some mushrooms were great to eat but others could be poisonous and because of this people should be very careful.
Sometimes people simply destroyed things because they didn't understand or know about them.
Maybe one day I will confront someone when I see them destroy mushrooms said Forest to herself but for now she didn't allow herself to stay with the negative feelings.
Instead she busied herself with hunting for new kinds of mushrooms in secluded places where others wouldn't think of looking.
Close by Storm was out walking.
So far today was a good day for Storm but anything could change that as multiple times each day his emotions would be up and down like a roller coaster.
One minute he was calm and happy and the next he would become agitated and angry.
Because of this it was very difficult for him to make friends and keep them.
They eventually left because they didn't understand or like Storm's different mood swings especially as they happened so quickly.
Storm found himself walking along the path through the wild flowers.
He was quite amazed at the different colours and varieties of flowers he could see and their beauty made him smile.
He began to wish he had someone to enjoy this walk with but he didn't have any friends.
The thought of having no friends made him suddenly angry.
In that moment he decided he no longer liked the look of the wild flowers and he began kicking the heads off them but some of the flower heads just swung backwards and forwards staying intact with their stems.
Storm believed the flowers were laughing at him and this made him even more angry.
In pure rage he began trampling on the flowers with all his might damaging them with his heavy stomping.
I hate you he shouted angrily you are so ugly.
In a fit of rage he continued trampling upon more and more flowers until a loud noise in the distance distracted him and he ran off.
Storm ran blindly until a tree blocked his way.
He stopped gasping for air as he began to catch his breath.
Just lately he hated the way his mood changed so quickly but he didn't know what to do about it.
He leaned against the big strong trunk of the tree and took a few deep breaths.
This seemed to make him feel calmer.
He closed his eyes for a moment and took another deep breath.
He could feel the strength of the big tree behind him and he wished he could feel strong like the tree.
He liked being supported by the tree and realised that when he had friends in the past this is what they had tried to do.
Support him through his ever-changing moods but he would never listen to them and so they left.
Storm sighed and opened his eyes.
He moved away from the tree and began walking along the path in front of him.
Are friends really necessary?
He thought to himself.
He didn't really know the answer to this question as his friends didn't stay around long enough for him to know.
He did like them at first when he felt good but pretty soon they just annoyed him and he felt glad when they left him alone.
As Storm walked he noticed some very unusual mushrooms just off the path he was following.
He went over to them and bent down to get a closer look.
They were a golden yellow colour with ruffled caps and funnel shaped stems.
Suddenly out of the corner of his eye he saw something move and his attention was drawn to more mushrooms.
These mushrooms were bright red with tiny white spots and looked very pretty.
He moved over to them but as he bent down to study them closer a tiny field mouse ran out from under them and startled him.
This made Storm angry.
He didn't like being startled and especially not by a tiny creature.
He stood up and without thinking he squished the mushroom underfoot and then continued to destroy more and more of the nearby mushrooms.
Where are you?
He shouted out to the mouse who by now was long gone.
I'm going to make sure you have nowhere to hide.
Storm continued furiously kicking and trampling on more and more mushrooms in his frustration to find the mouse.
Where are you hiding?
He shouted again angrily.
I'm not going to stop until I find you.
Hey what do you think you're doing?
Shouted an angry voice behind Storm.
Storm turned around and glared.
What's it got to do with you?
He spat.
You are destroying mushrooms for no reason I can think of said Forest going as close to Storm as she dared.
Storm wasn't used to being confronted like this and he stopped what he was doing.
Forest's harsh tone of voice seemed to bring Storm out of his rage and he looked around at the trail of carnage he had created in a few short minutes.
I was angry said Storm suddenly feeling ashamed of his actions.
A mouse had scared me.
And that gave you the right to destroy nature?
Asked Forest.
Hey I've been looking for you.
Another angry voice shouted over.
You destroyed my wild flowers for no reason.
Storm went to say something.
Don't try to deny it said Meadow.
I saw you trample them and then you ran off when I called out to you.
I wasn't going to deny it said Storm sadly.
You are right I did.
So what scared you that time?
Asked Forest sarcastically.
Nothing replied Storm sheepishly.
I was cross because I don't have any friends.
But that is also no reason to destroy nature said Forest.
It seems like you make a habit of being angry for no good reason.
Meadow pointed out.
Yes my emotions do change rather quickly agreed Storm.
I'm not proud of it but I don't know what to do about it.
Forest and Meadow both began to feel sorry for Storm.
They didn't like being angry and seldom were.
But Storm's actions had been the worst display of vandalism they had ever witnessed.
They could see that Storm appeared to be sorry and they both wanted to help him.
It sounds like you need help said Meadow a little kinder now.
I have a friend called Comfort who was very good at helping me understand situations and emotions within myself.
I know Comfort said Forest.
She helped me not get so upset whenever the mushrooms were destroyed.
So why did you get upset with me then asked Storm.
Because you seemed out of control and that is not normal destructive behavior answered Forest.
Comfort is very kind and caring said Meadow quickly not wanting Forest and Storm to get into an argument with each other.
Come on follow me I know where she is this time of the day.
As they walked they introduced themselves and then Meadow and Forest went on to explain the reasons why wildflowers and mushrooms are so important to the environment.
Now it makes sense why you were both so angry with me Storm said.
I'm sorry to have upset you both and I'm sorry for destroying such beautiful things.
At that moment they came to a clearing which overlooked a beautiful valley.
Before them fields spread out as far as the eye could see like a giant patchwork quilt.
In the distance the Sun was just beginning to set and its golden glow began to cover the land.
Sitting up against a big old tree was Comfort.
Hello Comfort said Forest gently.
I hope we are not disturbing you.
No no of course not replied Comfort smiling.
I had just finished my evening meditation.
I am always happy to see you anytime and you Meadow she said suddenly noticing her coming up beside Forest.
But who do you have with you?
This is Storm said Meadow.
We were hoping you could share your wisdom with him as he is struggling to control his emotions.
Comfort looked at Storm.
Tell me about yourself she said to him in a soft kind voice.
Storm already liked Comfort.
He felt safe in her presence and her aura gave out a warmth and welcome he had never felt before.
The way she spoke he believed she was really interested in him and cared about how he felt.
I don't have any friends was all Forest could think to say.
Have you ever had friends Comfort asked.
Yes but they don't stay around me for long.
Why do you think that is?
Because I can get angry really quickly and normally it's because of something silly I have done or said.
Storm thought for a moment.
I get cross with myself easily and take it out on the people or things who are around me.
Friends don't like uncertainty and unpredictability explained Comfort.
They like to feel comfortable in your presence not uncomfortable because they don't know how you are going to react to what they say or do.
I am beginning to understand that now said Storm solemnly.
I don't think I would like that either.
Do you love yourself Storm?
Comfort asked softly.
Storm thought for a moment and then replied not really.
Although there are times when I like myself but I don't like feeling lonely and then I get angry with myself which makes me think I am obviously not likeable and that is why I have no friends.
As you have found out no one likes to be around people who are angry said Comfort.
But how do I become happy if I have no one to make me happy asked Storm.
You have to start by loving yourself explained Comfort.
Happiness comes from within not from others.
Be kind to yourself always.
Listen to the words you are using and only speak lovingly to yourself and others.
But what if things annoy me asked Storm desperate to learn more.
Don't react immediately like you do now said Comfort.
Take a deep breath in and think about the words and the way you want to respond.
When we take control of our emotions and reactions we are more likely to respond in a way that is beneficial to our own well-being.
The way I always responded was to get angry immediately if something disappointed me or I didn't like it said Storm.
That's right you did said Comfort and did that make you happy?
Not at all said Storm and then I stayed unhappy for ages.
That's because our emotions are magnets and attract more of the same whether that be negative emotions or positive emotions explained Comfort.
You have to remember that only you choose how you are going to respond to something.
So are you saying we choose our emotions that nothing makes us feel them asked Storm?
Yes that's right agreed Comfort.
No one makes us happy sad or angry.
Without being aware of it we always choose how we respond to the words or actions of others.
But when we deliberately stop and think first instead of reacting immediately we are better prepared to choose to respond in a negative or positive way.
Oh I think I understand now said Storm.
By taking control of my thoughts and feelings I then am in control of my emotions.
You've got it.
At first it probably won't be easy because you are used to responding immediately without thinking first said Comfort.
But over time you will change that habit and it will become more natural for you to take your time and respond with better choices.
Now I'm not saying you should only ever feel happy.
On occasions we need to acknowledge our negative feelings like Meadow and Forest did when they saw you destroying things they loved.
But by learning this technique we become skilled in not staying longer than necessary with negative thinking and emotions.
Well I desperately want to have friends said Storm so I'm going to try really really hard to change my actions.
Just be kind to yourself Comfort reminded him.
Old habits can take time to break.
We believe you can do this Storm said Meadow and Forest together and we want to be your friends.
Storm smiled the biggest smile.
Really he said his heart brimming with joy.
Yes Meadow said smiling back.
Everyone needs friends who understand them and I understand what you are going through.
Me too said Forest.
Whenever you find life a struggle just reach out and I'll be there for you.
Comfort watched as the three new friends put their trust in each other.
She knew that true friends were always there for one another and she believed with the help of Meadow and Forest Storm would succeed in loving himself and others unconditionally.
Thank you for listening to my story.
I hope you enjoyed it.
Before you go I'd like to ask you a question.
Have you ever had to help a friend through a difficult time in their life?
Thanks again for listening and come back soon to hear another story from Grandma.
Bye for now.
