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At the sunlit plaza base of the massive Tule Tree, Juanito pats the rough, wide trunk while Dormilona blinks sleepily from a high branch. Colorful village houses frame the warm late-afternoon scene.
In the colorful town of Santa Maria del Tule stood the oldest tree in all of Mexico. The Tule Tree was so wide that twenty children holding hands could barely reach around it. Seven-year-old Juanito loved to visit the tree every day after school. 'Buenos días, Tule Tree,' he would whisper, patting its rough bark. High in the branches, a gray owl named Dormilona blinked her big eyes. 'Did the tree just whisper back?' she hooted sleepily. Juanito smiled. He believed the ancient tree had a special soul.
During a nighttime downpour beside the swelling river, Juanito presses his palm against the Tule Tree’s bark while Dormilona hoots nervously overhead. Wind-whipped rain and distant lightning illuminate the flooded village streets.
Dark clouds rolled over the mountains like a gray blanket. Don Agustin, the village elder, squinted at the sky. 'A big storm is coming,' he announced to the worried townspeople. Rain began to fall, first in drops, then in sheets. The river beside the village swelled higher and higher. Juanito ran to the Tule Tree. 'Please help us,' he whispered, pressing his hand against the bark. Dormilona hooted nervously from above. The wind howled, and the floodwaters crept closer to the houses. Everyone was afraid.
In the storm-soaked village street, the Tule Tree radiates golden light as a long branch gently lifts Juanito and Don Agustin above swirling floodwater. Rain sparkles in the warm magic glow.
Suddenly, the Tule Tree began to glow with a golden light. Its massive branches stretched and bent like arms waking from a long sleep. 'It's alive!' shouted Juanito with wonder. The tree's branches reached down gently into the village streets. One by one, it scooped up families and lifted them high above the rising waters. Don Agustin held tight to a branch. 'The tree is saving us!' he cried. Dormilona flew in circles, hooting with excitement. The magical tree cradled the entire village safely in its branches.
High among the Tule Tree’s leafy branches under a star-filled night, Juanito, Don Agustin, and Dormilona sit on a sturdy limb, lantern-like fireflies glowing around them. Floodwater glistens far below, creating a calm treetop sleepover.
The villagers spent the night nestled safely in the Tule Tree's branches. Children giggled as they peeked through the leaves at the waters below. Mothers sang soft songs to calm the babies. Juanito sat next to Don Agustin on a sturdy branch. 'The tree is our guardian angel,' Don Agustin said warmly. Dormilona snuggled beside Juanito, her feathers puffed against the cool night air. 'Best sleepover ever,' the owl hooted drowsily. Stars twinkled above as the magical tree kept everyone warm and safe until morning.
At sunrise in the village plaza, the Tule Tree bends sun-tinted branches to gently place Juanito and Don Agustin onto damp earth. Gathered families clap as warm morning light bathes the colorful houses.
When the sun rose, the floodwaters had retreated back to the river. The Tule Tree gently lowered each family back to the ground. Everyone cheered and clapped for their miraculous rescuer. Juanito hugged the tree's trunk. 'Thank you, dear friend,' he whispered. The tree's leaves rustled as if saying 'you're welcome.' Don Agustin gathered the villagers. 'We must always protect this tree that protected us,' he declared. Dormilona hooted in agreement. The whole village celebrated with music and dancing. The Tule Tree had earned their love forever.
In the sunny village street, Señor Rico in a sharp suit stands beside his shiny black car, sternly pointing at the towering Tule Tree. Juanito gasps beside the trunk while market stalls bustle behind them.
Weeks later, a man in a fancy suit arrived in Santa Maria del Tule. His name was Señor Rico, and he drove a shiny black car. He walked around the village with a frown. 'This town needs progress,' he announced loudly. 'I will build a big shopping center here.' He pointed directly at the Tule Tree. 'That old tree must go.' Juanito gasped. Don Agustin stepped forward. 'The tree stays,' he said firmly. Dormilona ruffled her feathers angrily. Señor Rico just laughed and walked away with a mean smile.
Under pale moonlight at the quiet base of the Tule Tree, Juanito looks determined while Dormilona perches on his shoulder. A low branch gently touches the boy’s head, casting soft shadows across the grassy plaza.
That night, Juanito couldn't sleep. He visited the Tule Tree under the moonlight. 'Don't worry, I'll protect you,' he promised. Dormilona landed on his shoulder. 'But how can a small boy stop a grown man?' she asked. The tree's branches swayed gently, touching Juanito's head as if comforting him. Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind. 'We need help from everyone!' Juanito exclaimed. He ran home to make a plan. Dormilona hooted hopefully. Perhaps together, the community could save their magical friend after all.
On a bright afternoon, Juanito stands before the Tule Tree addressing Don Agustin and gathered villagers of all ages while Dormilona hovers overhead. Sunbeams highlight the united circle of supporters around the massive trunk.
The next morning, Juanito and Dormilona visited every house in the village. 'The tree needs us now, just like it helped us,' Juanito told everyone. Children, parents, and grandparents all nodded. Don Agustin helped spread the word. Even the animals seemed to understand. Birds chirped messages to the forest. Rabbits thumped warnings with their feet. By afternoon, the whole village stood united around the Tule Tree. 'We will not let anyone harm our guardian,' they declared together. Dormilona hooted triumphantly. Their magical friend would not face danger alone.
In the dusty roadside clearing, Juanito stands defiantly at the front of hand-linked villagers before roaring yellow machines, while Señor Rico scowls. Deer and foxes emerge from the forest and Dormilona hoots atop a low branch.
Señor Rico returned with workers and machines. 'Move aside,' he ordered. But the villagers formed a circle around the tree, holding hands. Juanito stood at the front with Don Agustin. 'You cannot pass,' Juanito said bravely. Then something wonderful happened. Animals emerged from the forest—deer, foxes, rabbits, and countless birds. They surrounded the villagers, protecting the tree too. Dormilona perched on the lowest branch, hooting loudly. Señor Rico's workers looked amazed. They had never seen anything like this before. Nature itself was defending the Tule Tree.
Beside the halted bulldozer in afternoon light, a worker drops his wrench while Señor Rico stares at the softly glowing Tule Tree branches. Don Agustin observes calmly, golden rays reflecting on their surprised faces.
One of Señor Rico's workers stepped forward. 'I cannot hurt this tree,' he said, putting down his tools. Another worker agreed. 'This tree is special.' One by one, all the workers refused to help. Señor Rico stamped his foot angrily, but then he saw something. The tree's branches glowed softly, and in that light, he remembered his own grandmother's stories about magical trees. His hard heart began to soften. 'Perhaps I was wrong,' he whispered. Don Agustin smiled kindly. 'It is never too late to change,' the elder said.
On the sunlit village square beside the grateful Tule Tree, Señor Rico shakes Don Agustin’s hand while Juanito smiles proudly nearby. Colorful papel-picado banners flutter overhead and villagers clap around them.
Señor Rico apologized to the whole village. 'I only thought about money,' he admitted. 'I forgot what truly matters.' Juanito walked up to him. 'Will you help us protect the tree now?' the brave boy asked. Señor Rico nodded. 'Yes, I promise.' He decided to build his store far away and donate money to protect the Tule Tree forever. The villagers cheered. Dormilona did a happy loop-de-loop in the air. Don Agustin shook Señor Rico's hand. Even grown-ups could learn important lessons. The tree's branches seemed to sway with joy.
In the leafy park at golden sunset, Juanito stands beside the radiant Tule Tree telling captivated visitors its story. Dormilona perches on a sign labeled 'Guardians,' wings slightly spread in proud welcome.
From that day forward, the village of Santa Maria del Tule became famous for its miraculous tree. Visitors came from everywhere to see the ancient guardian. Juanito and Dormilona became the official tree protectors, telling everyone its amazing story. Don Agustin taught children about respecting nature. The Tule Tree stood tall and proud, its branches rustling in the breeze. Sometimes, when Juanito visited, the tree would glow softly, reminding him of their special friendship. 'Together, we can protect all miracles,' Juanito would say. And Dormilona would hoot, 'Forever and always!' The end.