For Anna and Ben playing with their friends and imagining grand adventures were important, but there was one thing they were always in a hurry.
Every morning of the summer, they would rush through breakfast to get outside as quickly as possible. They'd hastily tie their shoes, barely take a moment to enjoy the fresh morning air and race off to their next adventure. Their mother, who was wise and kind, often reminded them, "Take your time, like the river that never goes stale."
One sunny afternoon, as Anna and Ben were playing near the riverbank, they saw their elderly neighbour, Mr. Oakley, sitting on a bench and carving a small wooden bird. They liked Mr. Oakley, who always had interesting stories and a gentle smile.
"Hello, Mr. Oakley!" Anna called out. "What are you making today?"
"Hello, children," Mr. Oakley replied warmly. "I'm carving a bird. Would you like to help?"
The siblings eagerly nodded and sat beside him. As they began to carve, Anna and Ben quickly grew impatient. The carving was slow, and the bird was taking shape far too gradually for their liking.
"Why does it take so long, Mr. Oakley?" Ben asked, frustration creeping into his voice.
Mr. Oakley paused and looked at them with a twinkle in his eye. "Let me tell you a story," he began. "Once upon a time, in a land not so far from here, there was a young river. This river wanted to flow as quickly as it could, always rushing past everything in its path. It didn't stop to see the flowers blooming by its banks or the fish swimming in its waters. It didn't pause to reflect the beauty of the world around it. It just rushed and rushed."
Anna and Ben listened intently, their curiosity piqued.
"But then," Mr. Oakley continued, "the river met an old wise tree that had stood by its side for many years. The tree said, 'Dear river, why do you rush so? There is so much to see and experience if you just take your time.' The river slowed down and began to notice the flowers, the fish, and the clear reflection of the sky above. It realised that taking its time made everything more beautiful and meaningful."
Anna and Ben exchanged thoughtful glances. They looked at the river flowing beside them, now seeming to understand its steady, gentle pace.
"Taking your time means enjoying the journey," Mr. Oakley said softly. "It means savouring each moment, appreciating the small details, and not rushing through life. Like this river, if you take your time, you'll find that every moment can be filled with wonder."
Inspired by Mr. Oakley's story, Anna and Ben decided to try carving the bird with more patience. They slowed down, enjoying the process and they felt like never before.
As the days passed, Anna and Ben began to apply this newfound wisdom to their everyday lives. They took their time during breakfast, savouring each bite. They walked to school, noticing the birds singing, and they played with their friends without worrying about what came next.
One evening, as they sat by the river with their mother and felt once happier and more connected to the world around them, they said, "Mom, now we understand what you meant by taking our time like the river."
Their mother smiled and hugged them. "I'm glad, my dear ones. Life is not a race. It's a beautiful journey meant to be enjoyed every step of the way."
