Welcome to Alex and Mr. Owl’s Weekly Adventures!
Second Story–Week 2—
Each week, we share a short story from the Enchanted Forest—little moments, new discoveries, and quiet lessons that aren’t part of the main books.
These stories are free to read and perfect for bedtime, classroom read‑alouds, or curious young explorers who want to spend a little more time with Alex and Mr. Owl.
Grown-ups: These stories are set in the same world as the books but may include extra scenes, side adventures, and gentle lessons that don’t appear in the main series.
Weekly Adventures
- Week 1: The Acorn That Stayed
A tiny acorn doesn’t roll where Alex expects it to, and Mr. Owl shows him why some seeds are meant to stay close to home.
[Read this story ↓]
Week 1: The Acorn That Stayed
Alex sat on the old wooden step outside his house, turning a smooth green acorn over in his hand. The morning was bright and cool. A few clouds drifted slowly across the sky.
He held the acorn up to the light.
“It looks like a tiny helmet,” he whispered.
He stood, walked to the edge of the yard, and looked toward the Enchanted Forest. The trees were waiting in their quiet way, leaves rustling softly in the breeze.
“I wonder how far you can go,” Alex said to the acorn.
He stepped onto the dirt path that led toward the forest and gave the acorn a gentle roll. It bumped over a small rock, wobbled across a patch of dry leaves, and then… stopped.
It had landed in a little dip in the ground, right beside a clump of moss.
Alex frowned. “That’s it? You’re just going to stay there?”
A soft hoot came from a low branch nearby.
“Not every journey needs to be far to be important,” Mr. Owl said.
Alex looked up and smiled. “Hi, Mr. Owl. I thought the acorn would roll all the way down the path. But it just stopped.”
Mr. Owl fluttered down to a lower branch, his golden eyes warm and bright. “Come closer,” he said. “Let us see where it chose to rest.”
Alex walked over and knelt beside the acorn. It sat snugly in the mossy dip, half in shadow, half in sunlight.
“It did not roll very far,” Alex said.
“No,” Mr. Owl agreed, “but look at what it found.”
Alex brushed the moss gently with his fingers. It was soft and cool. Tiny roots from nearby grass wove through the soil. A small beetle hurried past, disappearing under a fallen leaf.
“This spot is damp,” Mr. Owl said. “The soil is rich. The moss keeps it from drying out too quickly. If this acorn ever decides to grow, this could be a good home.”
Alex tilted his head. “So… it picked the right place by stopping?”
“Perhaps the wind and the ground helped it,” Mr. Owl said. “But yes. Some seeds travel far. Some do not. Both can grow into strong trees.”
Alex looked down the path. “I thought going far away always meant a bigger adventure.”
Mr. Owl gave a soft chuckle. “There are many kinds of adventures, Alex. Some happen when we travel to new places. Others happen when we stay in one spot and pay close attention.”
Alex watched an ant climb over the acorn’s smooth shell. The ant paused, touched the moss with its feelers, and then continued on its way.
“What kind of tree will it be?” Alex asked.
“An oak,” Mr. Owl said. “If it sprouts, it will grow slowly. It will take many years. But one day, its branches could shade this whole part of the path. Birds might build nests there. Squirrels might rest on its limbs. Many creatures could call it home.”
Alex smiled. “All from one acorn that didn’t go very far.”
Mr. Owl nodded. “Sometimes staying close lets us grow deep roots. Deep roots help us stand strong when storms come.”
Alex sat back on his heels and looked at the forest. The trees swayed gently, as if they were listening too.
“Do you think I’m like that acorn?” he asked quietly. “I haven’t gone very far from home.”
Mr. Owl studied him for a moment. “You are still growing,” he said. “Your roots are learning where to hold on. There will be time for long journeys. For now, there is much to discover right where you are.”
Alex felt something warm in his chest. He looked at the acorn again.
“I hope you grow,” he whispered. “I’ll come back and check on you.”
He stood and brushed the dirt from his knees.
“Ready to walk a little farther today?” Mr. Owl asked.
Alex nodded. “Yes. But I’ll remember that even small steps can be important.”
As they walked down the path together, Alex glanced back once more. The acorn rested in its mossy bed, still and quiet, but full of promise.
He smiled.
Maybe not every adventure had to be far away.
Some could begin right at his feet.
Do you have a special place that feels like “home” to you, like the acorn’s mossy spot?
Alex is waiting for your story, so that he can tell Mr. Owl something new he does not know.
“You can share it in the comments below or ask a grown-up to send it to us through our contact page.”