Once upon a time, in a peaceful village nestled between towering mountains and sprawling meadows, there lived a wise old woman named Maris. Her home was a modest cottage surrounded by a beautiful garden, brimming with every kind of plant imaginable. Maris was known throughout the village for her knowledge of plants, but what the villagers treasured most were the life lessons she shared through the stories she told.

One afternoon, a young boy named Luka approached Maris, his face filled with curiosity. “Maris,” he said, “I’ve heard the elders say that you know the facts of life. Can you teach me what they are?”

Maris smiled, her eyes twinkling like the morning dew on her garden leaves. “Of course, Luka. Come, walk with me through the garden. I will show you the facts of life.”

The Seed of Beginnings

As they strolled through the garden, Maris paused by a bed of newly sprouted plants. She knelt down and gently cradled one of the tiny seedlings in her palm.

“The first fact of life, Luka, is that everything starts as a seed,” she began. “Whether it’s a plant, an idea, or a person, life begins small and fragile. The seed holds potential, but it needs time, care, and the right conditions to grow.”

Luka nodded thoughtfully. “So, even great things begin small?”

“Exactly,” Maris said, smiling. “Never underestimate the power of a small beginning.”

Growth and Struggle

They continued their walk until they reached a section of the garden where vines twisted around wooden stakes. Some plants were standing tall, while others leaned or tangled themselves.

“Here is the second fact of life: Growth is never easy,” Maris said, touching one of the vines. “To grow, we must stretch and struggle. Plants must push through the soil to reach the sunlight, and we too must face challenges to become strong.”

Luka frowned as he studied the vines. “But why do we have to struggle? Wouldn’t it be easier to just grow without obstacles?”

Maris chuckled softly. “It might seem that way, but without struggle, we wouldn’t learn, and we wouldn’t become resilient. Like this vine, which climbs higher with each knot it overcomes, we too become stronger through our hardships.”

The Seasons of Life

Maris led Luka to a grand oak tree at the edge of the garden. Its branches were wide and its roots deep, but its leaves were starting to turn golden, a sign of the approaching autumn.

“The third fact of life, Luka, is that life moves in seasons,” she said, placing her hand on the bark. “Just as trees shed their leaves and flowers bloom in their own time, we too go through different stages in life. There are moments of growth, times of rest, periods of loss, and times of renewal.”

Luka gazed at the leaves fluttering in the breeze. “But if everything changes, is there anything that stays the same?”

Maris nodded. “Yes, Luka, the roots. The core of who you are – your values, your kindness, your love for others – those are your roots. No matter what season you’re in, they will anchor you.”

Interconnectedness

Next, they stopped by a patch of wildflowers, swaying gently in the wind. Bees buzzed among the blooms, collecting nectar while butterflies flitted from flower to flower.

“This brings us to the fourth fact of life: We are all connected,” Maris said. “Just as these flowers depend on the bees to thrive, and the bees rely on the flowers for food, all living things are intertwined. What we do affects others, whether we realize it or not.”

Luka watched the bees with wide eyes. “So, even though we’re small, we can make a big difference?”

“Yes,” Maris said. “Every action, no matter how small, ripples out into the world. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of how we treat others and the world around us.”

The Cycle of Life

Finally, they arrived at a quiet corner of the garden where a bed of compost lay. Luka wrinkled his nose at the sight of decaying plants and vegetables.

“And here is the final fact of life, perhaps the hardest one to accept,” Maris said softly. “All things must end so that new life can begin. Just as these old plants decompose, they will nourish the soil for new seeds. In life, we too must face loss and endings. But remember, every ending is also a new beginning.”

Luka was silent for a moment. “So, even though things die, they aren’t really gone forever?”

Maris nodded. “That’s right. Life is a continuous cycle. Though we may lose loved ones or experience the end of a chapter in our lives, something new will always come from it. The important thing is to cherish each moment while we have it, knowing that it is part of a larger story.”

The Garden of Life

As they returned to the entrance of the garden, Maris smiled warmly at Luka. “The garden teaches us everything we need to know about life. We begin as seeds, we grow through struggle, we pass through seasons, we are all connected, and in the end, we return to nourish the earth.”

Luka took a deep breath, feeling both comforted and enlightened. “Thank you, Maris. I think I understand the facts of life now.”

Maris placed a hand on Luka’s shoulder. “Remember, Luka, the garden of life is always growing. Each of us has our own journey, and though we may not control every part of it, we can always choose to nurture the seeds we plant.”

And with that, Luka left Maris’ garden, carrying the wisdom of life’s facts with him, ready to plant his own seeds in the world.