The Garden of Forgotten Words: A Fable About Affection

Right in the exact center of the Valley of Voices stood a natural wonder that travelers from every corner came to admire: the Great Botanical Garden of the Soul. Unlike common gardens where earthy roses, jasmines, and tulips grow, in this garden bloomed the words human beings spoke to each other with true love.

The Flowers That Feed on Verbal Affection

Every time a mother told her son *"I am proud of you,"* a beautiful golden-petaled flower sprouted on the main path. When two friends embraced and said *"thank you for always standing by my side,"* fragrant jasmine vines climbed the stone walls. The garden was a dazzling display of color, light, and heavenly scent, carefully tended by the head gardener, a wise woman named Amalia.

However, as years passed, something somber and worrying began to happen in the valley. The townspeople became incredibly busy with their work, daily rushes, and mobile phones. They began taking their families' love for granted.

"They thought: 'Why should I tell my wife I love her if she already knows,' or 'Why thank grandfather for his effort when he has always done it.' And with every silence, the garden lost its luster." – Delia Iaboni

The Great Drought of Silence

Little by little, the golden flowers of pride began to wither and bend their stems toward the ground. The gratitude vines lost their leaves and turned into dry, brittle twigs. A gray, cold fog settled over the Valley of Voices, and people began feeling strangely sad, distant, and lonely inside their own homes, not understanding why.

One day, a young boy named Mateo, who missed seeing the garden full of butterflies, ran to the wrought-iron gate and found wise Amalia watering with tears a tiny sprout barely surviving in the cracked soil.

"Ms. Amalia, why are our beautiful flowers dying?" Mateo asked, his eyes filled with worry. "Did the river water run out?"

"No, little Mateo," Amalia replied tenderly, stroking the boy's hair. "The river water flows as always. What has dried up is the spring of verbal affection. Beautiful words left unspoken decay in the throat and stop nourishing the souls of those we love. Silent love taken for granted is like a seed kept in a dark drawer: it will never bloom."

The Revolution of Living Words

Struck by the gardener's truth, Mateo ran back to the town like a little messenger of light. He burst into his house, wrapped his arms around his mother's waist, and said in a clear, strong voice: "Mom, I love you so much and thank you for taking care of me every single day!"

At that exact second, a magical echo resonated across the valley, and in the Great Garden, a massive, radiant sunflower burst from the parched earth, spreading a sweet fragrance through the town streets.

The neighbors, witnessing the miracle of the sunflower and the bright smile on Mateo's mother's face, instantly understood the lesson. That very afternoon, the most beautiful revolution the valley had ever witnessed took place: children called their elderly parents to tell them how much they missed them; spouses looked into each other's eyes and spoke words of admiration; and neighbors asked for forgiveness over old grievances.

An Eternal Garden in Every Home

By the next morning, the Great Botanical Garden of the Soul had resurrected with a glory a thousand times greater than before. The colors were so vivid and bright they could be seen from the farthest mountains.

This fable reminds us of an eternal truth: never assume others know how much you love them; tell them today, tell them now, tell them always. Your voice and words of affection are the living water that keeps the garden of your loved ones' hearts in full bloom.