Before-bed read

As a little girl, Thalia Dunn had dreamed of climbing to the top of the magnolia tree in her granddaddy’s backyard, but she was always too afraid… until one spring morning, she awoke to a magical surprise that finally gave her the courage to try

Ithink about him every time I pass by a pink magnolia tree in bloom. My Irish granddaddy, tall and lean, bursting with energy and laughter, held a special place in my heart. He lived across the street with Grandma, and their home was open to us whenever we ran over to visit. We wouldn’t go into their house to find him, however; we would hurry out back where he would be working in his garden.

Flowers, vines, vegetables— whatever he planted flourished.

From early spring through late autumn, the immense backyard exploded with colors. Delicate purple cosmos flowers waved beside the garage. Pink and peach roses stood next to the back door. And way in the back was the vegetable plot overflowing with red tomatoes, yellow squashes and green beans.

On the side of the yard grew two apple trees and a small, gnarled pear tree. A majestic magnolia tree stood in the middle. Its shiny, dark green leaves and large pink flowers captured the attention of all who saw it. Besides being beautiful, it was perfect for climbing with its sturdy gray limbs reaching out from the wide trunk. It was perfect for climbing— if I only knew how!

My granddaddy wanted to teach me. He tried. He really tried. But I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get back down, or that I would be stuck high up in the tree, so I didn’t want to try.

Except that I did want to try. I’d watch my friends climb up their backyard trees, or my sister settle into one of the top boughs and munch on her apple while she surveyed the neighborhood. I wanted to sit on top of the world as well!

And Granddaddy knew it. He tried cajoling, convincing, scolding, even offering to go up the tree with me—which always made me laugh! How could my granddaddy with gray hair know how to climb?

One early spring morning, the magnolia tree was beginning to open its magnificent scented blossoms. Granddaddy was standing on his front porch waiting for me when I walked outside. “Come over here! Come over!” he beckoned excitedly. “The tree is blooming lollipops instead of flowers!”

“What?” I ran across to the back yard to see a dazzling sight. Nestled into every magnolia bud was a lollipop.

“No pink magnolia flowers this year,” he muttered sadly as he shook his head. “They’ll all turn brown and drop down. What a waste that will be. But this is the first year ever for our tree to bloom lollipops!”

He glanced over to me. “Do you think you could scramble up—just to the lowest branch—and gather one or two? Then throw them down to me. I would love a lollipop!”

I was staring in amazement. Never in all my seven years of living had I seen a tree this beautiful— full of my favorite candy!

Ever so carefully, I shimmied up the smooth trunk, securely placed my feet on the lowest branch and grabbed two lollipops. Just as I was about to slide down, I saw some lollipops on the higher branch. Maybe I could reach them too! Just one more branch, and then I’d slide back down. So I tossed what was in my hand down to Grandaddy and climbed up to the next branch—and grabbed more. And slowly, branch by branch, I conquered the tree!

When I was at the top, clinging to my lollipops and reaching out to touch the tip-top of the tree, I looked down to see Granddaddy beaming up at me.

“I was staring in amazement. Never in all my seven years of living had I seen a tree this beautiful— full of my favorite

candy!”

“You did it, girl!” he called up to me. “Now get down here so we can enjoy the candy!”

Scrambling down, I gathered up my goodies and giggled. “That was fun!” I said, before running home to share my story.

I burst into the kitchen, hands tightly holding my treasures. “Look!” I exclaimed to Grandma, who was sitting in the kitchen with Mom. “Look what I just picked from the tree!”

“That’s amazing, sweetie!” Grandma replied as she gave me a hug. I spilled the yellow, red and orange lollipops onto the table.

“But… but how did that tree bloom lollipops instead of flowers?” I asked Grandma.

“Oh,” Grandma shook her head wisely, “Granddaddy can grow about anything, can’t he? And did you know that he’s an expert at climbing? Why, just this morning I saw him…” She stopped mid-sentence and smiled when she saw Mom shake her head. “You know, sweetie, he can make anything grow—even lollipops on trees!” —Thalia Dunn