The TrueAboutYou Collection
The Forgiveness Falls Adventure
Teddy and Muddy Paws followed the Heart Map until they heard rushing water. A sparkling waterfall tumbled into a clear blue pool. “This must be Forgiveness Falls,” whispered Teddy.
But the water wasn’t flowing smoothly. Tiny sticks and heavy rocks were piled across the stream. The water kept trying to move… but it couldn’t.
Nearby sat a little beaver named Birch. “I’ve been collecting every hurt that’s ever happened,” Birch sighed. “I don’t want to let any of them go.”
Teddy noticed each rock had words carved into it. Someone forgot me. Someone laughed. Someone was unfair.
“They’re so heavy,” Teddy said. Birch nodded. “So is my heart.”
What should Teddy and Muddy Paws do?
You chose to help Birch carry them. Teddy gathered up an armful of rocks. Muddy Paws gathered another. Birch held the heaviest ones close. “Now nobody can take my hurts away,” he said.
But the friends could not walk very far. They could not climb. They could not play. Every time Birch wanted to smile, his arms were much too full to lift.
Teddy set his rocks down and rubbed his paws. “Birch… carrying these doesn’t make them lighter.” Birch looked at the blocked-up stream. Then he looked at his tired arms.
“Maybe,” he said slowly, “I could put down just one.”
You chose to help the water flow again! At first, Birch didn’t want to let go. “What if they don’t deserve it?”
Muddy Paws smiled gently. “Forgiveness isn’t pretending it didn’t hurt.” “It’s choosing not to carry the hurt forever.”
Together they lifted one rock. Then another. Birch took a deep breath and rolled the heaviest one to the bank all by himself.
Little by little… the water began to sparkle. The stream laughed again. And somehow… Birch smiled. “My heart feels lighter.”
Teddy looked into the flowing water. “When I let go… I have room for joy again.”
Muddy Paws nodded. “The waterfall never stopped wanting to flow.” “It was just waiting for someone to move the rocks.”
When we let go of hurt, our hearts have room to grow.
A Lighter Heart Can Travel Farther.
At Forgiveness Falls, Teddy and Muddy Paws learned that hurt does not have to be carried forever — and that a heart with room in it can fill up with joy again. Ahead lies Confidence Canyon, where a wobbly rope bridge is waiting for one small, brave step.
Continue to Confidence Canyon →