20 jars of light

The lost feather

In the heart of the forest lived a proud bird named Zora. Zora was known throughout the forest for her beautiful, iridescent feathers. Every bird admired her stunning colors, and Zora often boasted about how perfect she was. She would strut around the forest, showing off her feathers to anyone who would listen.

One day, as Zora was flying through the trees, she felt something strange. A light breeze swept through, and suddenly, one of her most prized feathers—a brilliant, shimmering blue one—was gone. She searched frantically, flying in every direction, but the feather was nowhere to be found.

Zora felt a wave of panic rise within her. She had lost her feather, the one that made her stand out among the others. She flew to the wisest owl in the forest for advice.

"Wise Owl," Zora said in a panicked voice, "I've lost my most beautiful feather! What will I do? How will I be special now?"

The owl looked at her kindly. "Zora, you've placed too much value on that feather. It's not what makes you special. You have wings that can soar, a heart that beats with courage, and a voice that can sing songs of joy. A single feather cannot define you."

"But it's the feather everyone admired!" Zora protested. "Without it, I'm just... just like everyone else."

The owl chuckled softly. "Zora, being like everyone else is not a bad thing. We are all unique in our own ways, and it's the combination of all our differences that makes this forest beautiful. Your value doesn't come from what you have, but from who you are."

Zora sat in silence, thinking about the owl's words. She realized that she had spent so much time trying to stand out with her feathers that she had forgotten what truly mattered: the strength and beauty that came from within.

For the next few days, Zora spent time helping the other birds and creatures of the forest. She sang songs to lift their spirits, helped them find food, and shared stories of adventure. Slowly, the other animals began to admire her not for her feathers, but for her kindness, wisdom, and generosity.

Eventually, Zora found a new feather on the forest floor, but this time, she didn't feel the need to keep it as a symbol of her worth. She had already discovered that her true beauty came from within.