The Rain-Calling Seed

Read this original tale. At the edge of a tropical rainforest, a small stream began to shrink during a long dry spell. A curious tapir called Tavi found a shiny seed beneath the forest floor. An old tree told Tavi, “Carry it to the open canopy, where clouds gather above the trees.” Tavi climbed a gentle slope, passing the dark understory and the leafy canopy. A toucan showed Tavi a gap in the branches. Tavi planted the seed there. In the tale, its first bright leaf rose into the clouds and called down rain. The stream filled again, and the animals agreed to protect the trees around its banks. In real rainforests, warm, moist air rises and cools, forming clouds that can bring frequent rain. Trees also help hold soil in place and provide homes for wildlife.