Lily Of The Valley

Uncle Koala’s pocket is like a magical pouch. It was filled with a wide variety of delicious nuts such as walnuts, chestnuts, pine nuts, cherries and many others. However, Uncle Koala only eats Eucalyptus leaves. These fresh nuts in his pouch were yummy food he collected when he travelled around.

Being warm and generous, he loves to spread his happiness by sharing the food he picked up with another animal friend who might love it. When Mr Koala meets an animal friend, he will reach into his pouch and bring out some sweet, juicy fruit or fresh nuts to offer them.

One day, Uncle Koala ran into a mouse. As usual, he took out a handful of cherries from his pouch and said: “Please have it. It’s really succulent.” The mouse replied: “Thank you for giving me such juicy cherries. How should I return this kindness?”

Uncle Koala responded: “What a thing to say. I don’t expect any return. If you feel obliged to return, don’t worry. I can pass the cherries to others.” Mouse thought to himself, “No, I need to give him something too.” He then turned to Uncle Koala and said, “No, I want those cherries. But wait a minute, Uncle Koala, would you mind coming with me somewhere?”

Uncle Koala was hesitant but could not bear to reject the mouse, who had such enthusiasm. He nodded lightly and followed the mouse to a field where there was much vegetation. Uncle Koala looked around and wondered why the mouse had brought him here. The next moment, the mouse started digging away on one of the plants.

He kept scooping the soil away with his paws relentlessly. Uncle Koala was puzzled and asked, “Little mouse, what are you doing?”
Mouse replied, “You’ll find out in a while!”

After a while, the mouse exclaimed, “I got it!” He lifted his hands up with something grabbed between his fist. Uncle Koala could not figure out what it was. “There you go!” The little mouse jumped up and quickly pulled at Uncle Koala’s pocket. He then dropped the pieces inside.

“What did you throw inside my pocket? This pocket is for keeping food for other animals.” Uncle Koala questioned. He was now feeling a little upset. Eagerly, the mouse replied, “These are some roots with soft soil. Precious dirt is a gift from me.” Uncle Koala thought about the efforts mouse took to dig out the roots just to give him a gift. His heart softened.

Out of politeness, he thanked the little mouse and bid him goodbye. Although he was reluctant to have dirt in his pocket, he still accepted it to not hurt the mouse. The soil felt heavy in his pocket.

As Uncle Koala travelled around, there were moments he wanted to throw them away. However, he felt bad for throwing away a gift from someone. In addition, there were still spaces in his pouch. A few days later, Uncle Koala met his old friend, Aunty Monkey, in the forest.

A sweet scent captured Aunty monkey’s attention. She realised that it came from Uncle Koala. Curious, she asked, “You are smelling so good. What are these bell-shaped little white flowers in your pocket? They are so fragrant.”

Uncle Koala looked down and was pleasantly surprised to see many white flowers smiling at him. He did not notice that flowers were growing out from his pocket all this while. He then remembered the gift the little white mouse had given him and finally understood.

“The flower is called Lily of the valley,” replied Koala. It symbolises the “return of happiness”. Uncle Koala smiled. “Here, take one lily with you to share my happiness.” He continued while passing one lily to Aunty monkey.

Uncle Koala took great care of the lilies, and they bloomed and grew in his pocket. Not only will he share food with other animals, but he will also give them an unexpected surprise, a lily of the valley, as a gift to share his happiness.

The End.