Benjamin’s Great Leap of Faith

Benjamin’s Great Leap of Faith

(Critical Words Module 1)

Benjamin the badger was a bit of a cynic. While the other young animals marveled at the shiny dewdrop on a spiderweb, Benjamin would just snort. "It's just water," he'd mutter, his tiny paws shuffling through the mundane dirt. He had strong doubts about everything good.

Benjamin was also incredibly clumsy. He inadvertently knocked over so many acorn piles that the squirrel chief, who was obliged to keep the forest tidy, gave him a permanent job polishing rocks—something he couldn't easily break.

One evening, a sumptuous feast was prepared for the King’s birthday. It was so mighty and delicious it consumed the whole meadow's attention. But Benjamin, watching from a distant rock, showed his disdain. “It’s just fancy berries and roots,” he proclaimed to a ladybug passing by.

Then, a creature descended from the biggest tree: it was the majestic Royal Eagle, ancient and wise, the guardian of the ancient forest heritage. The Eagle landed with such grace that Benjamin felt instantly awkward. The Eagle had a profound question for the crowd: “Who will climb the trickle of the waterfall to fetch the hoard of lost amber?”

The amber was said to be a treasure of great importance, but the climb was dangerous. Everyone backed away, except Benjamin.

He didn’t know why, but a wave of defiance washed over him. He was tired of being the clumsy cynic. He made two quick resolutions: 1) Stop complaining. 2) Try to be brave.

He walked toward the cliff, cautiously. The Eagle considered him, a small, shuffling figure, but nodded.

The climb was hard. Benjamin slipped, but he didn't give up. Finally, he reached a small cave and found the amber, not a pile of gold, but a collection of smooth, warm stones that shone with the sun's light. They weren't powerful, just beautiful.

When he returned, the Eagle smiled. "The true hoard isn't gold, little badger. It’s the effort."

Benjamin looked at the amber and then at the cheering crowd. For the first time, the world didn't look so dull. It looked bright, and the old cynic finally had something to marvel at: himself.