Progressive 28
The Giggle Tree
It was a warm, breezy afternoon when Mia and her best friend, Jonah, walked to the edge of the meadow. That’s where they saw a strange-looking tree. It wasn’t taller than the others, and its shape looked normal, but the sound it made was very unusual. Every time the wind blew, the tree’s leaves rustled together, making a soft, playful giggle.
“Do you hear that?” Mia asked, stopping.
Jonah tilted his head and listened. The breeze blew again, and the sound came—a gentle laugh, like the tree was happy to see them. “That’s weird,” he said. “It’s like the tree is laughing at us.”
Mia grinned. “Maybe it is. Or maybe we’re imagining it.”
“I don’t think so,” Jonah said, crouching to look at the tree’s base. The bark shined slightly in the sunlight. It was smoother and lighter than other trees they had seen.
At the bottom, they found a small metal plaque in the ground. Jonah cleaned off the dirt and read: The Giggle Tree: When life gets tough, remember to laugh.
“What does that mean?” Jonah asked. “It’s just a tree.”
“Maybe it’s reminding us to smile,” Mia said, sitting in the shade. “When was the last time you really laughed?”
Jonah scratched his head. “I don’t know. It’s been a while. School and homework take so much time.”
“Exactly,” Mia said. “I feel the same. Life is busy, and sometimes it feels heavy.”
Jonah picked a blade of grass and twirled it. “Yeah, we forget to have fun.”
Suddenly, the wind blew again, and the tree’s leaves giggled. Mia and Jonah looked at each other and laughed out loud. Their laughter was deep and free, and their stomachs hurt from laughing so much.
“This tree is amazing,” Jonah said. “I don’t know how it does it, but it works!”
Mia wiped a tear from her eye. “Maybe it’s magic, or maybe the wind is playing tricks. Either way, it feels good to laugh.”
As the sun went down, they stood up, feeling lighter than before. Mia touched the tree. “Thanks, Giggle Tree. I really needed this.”
Jonah laughed. “Me too. We should come back next time life feels too heavy.”
“Deal,” Mia said, smiling. “Sometimes, you just need to laugh it off.”
They walked back through the meadow. The tree’s laughter faded behind them, and for the first time in a long time, the world felt lighter.
Comprehension Questions
Why did Mia and Jonah stop at the tree?
What sound did the tree make when the wind blew?
What was written on the plaque at the base of the tree?
How did Mia and Jonah feel after listening to the tree?
What lesson can you learn from the Giggle Tree?
Your Thoughts
Why is it important to laugh even when life feels heavy?
Can you think of a place or thing that makes you happy like the Giggle Tree made Mia and Jonah happy?
How can small moments of joy help you in daily life?
