Author’s Note – This story was included this year in honor of those who celebrate Hanukkah during this time.


On an autumn day, a doe met a kind stag, and the two were soon mates. Ourania was looked on with favor by her mother, Ma, and the doe loved her mother dearly. Ourania and her new mate soon decided to migrate to a new home far away, and once every year her mother would come to visit.


But when they arrived at their new home, Ourania soon discovered that life had become more difficult. There were new challenges for the couple to handle, such as low food sources at times as well as predation from coyotes. Ourania was lucky that her strong stag could protect her, but the night time was especially terrifying for her when she heard the coyotes call. But there were other things that were troubling to her in this new place. The environment was not as clean as Ourania had liked. The water in the streams tasted odd, and the air had an unusual smell.


When Ma came to visit, she learned that Ourania was miserable in this new home. ”Mother, I hate this forest. The grass and berries taste terrible, and there are too many coyotes attacking us. I’m on edge every night just thinking about them.”, Ourania spoke.


”Oh mon enfant, it is quite belle here, no? Why not give it some time, I am sure you will love your new home then. It takes time to ajustez when you are so new.”, Ma spoke softly to her.


”I don’t know…I’m starting to wish we never moved at all.”, Ourania replied.


”Absurdité! You will be much happier living away from your Ma, I assure you. En fait, I have a surprise for you. Come, let us take a walk.”, Ma said, and lead the way. Ourania followed, unsure what kind of surprise was in store for her.


They walked deeper through the land to a riverside. Here was a special tree that was unlike the others, it certainly stood out. The roots grew far and into the river, and the leaves were a vibrant green. ”Beautifique, no? This tree is a special kind, it is here just for you. It is called a arbre de pleurs…eh…’Tree of Weeping’. It is a tree that will listen to your sorrows and take your tears and burdens. Now mère sait mieux, and I want you to tell this tree all that makes you triste, and it will make it all better.”, Ma explained.


Ourania headtilted, ”Are you sure, Mother? It seems a little…I’ve never heard of such a tree.”, she asked.


The great moose nuzzled her daughter, ”I am sure, my chéri. I am sure.”


And so, once a week, Ourania went off alone and spoke to the tree. She told the tree all that bothered her, about the environment she and her mate lived in, about the predators, the strange smells, the taste of the food. She told the tree everything.


A month passed, and Ma came to visit again. She immediately saw the change in her daughter’s face. She seemed much happier. ”Ah, my dear, I take it things have gotten better for you here?”, she asked.


Ourania shook her head, ”Not necessarily…things have been the same as they were before, but I just feel different. As if it doesn’t bother me so much anymore.”, the doe replied.


"Oh je vois…shall we take a walk then?", the mother asked. With a nod, the two walked off toward the tree by the river. Ourania told Ma that she had been visiting the tree every week, just as her mother instructed. She explained that the suffering that burdened her was taken away by the tree when she spoke to it. It was why she seemed happier now.


When the two arrived, Ma was surprised to see the tree had withered. ”Do you see, my child? The tree took your sorrows and made your heart grow and be free. I was right, my chéri. Mère sait mieux, mon amour. Mother knows best.”