When Someone Finally Understands: Rory’s Journey (Final Episode 7)

Children who feel misunderstood may begin to believe that no one truly knows what they're going through. They may withdraw, become defensive, or dismiss attempts at connection—even when those attempts come from someone who genuinely cares.

As parents and caregivers, we often remind children how important it is to listen. But listening is something we must model, too. When children feel heard, they may become more willing to consider that others have feelings, experiences, and stories worth hearing. And sometimes, the person a child believes understands them the least may have walked a surprisingly similar path.

In the seventh and final episode of Rory's Journey, Rory discovers that understanding isn't always about finding someone new who will listen. Sometimes it begins with recognizing the love, concern, and wisdom that have been quietly waiting for us all along.

Because connection grows when we learn not only to be heard, but also to listen.

 

The following day, Lyrion found Rory at home counting ants as they crawled along a log next to his home.

“I was hoping you were here.”

“Where else would I be? School’s out today,” said Rory sarcastically.

“I know. But you could’ve gone for a walk in the forest.”

Rory shrugged his shoulders and kept counting the ants.

“Now that I’m here, we can go for a walk. I have someone I want you to meet.”

“I’m not really in the mood, Lyrion.”

“It’ll be more interesting than counting ants.”

Rory sighed and slowly rose to his talons. “I guess I’ll go this time since I don’t have anything else better to do.”

The two boys walked through the forest pretending to be pirates with long tree limbs as swords. They battled the tall grass and weeds as they marched along a trail next to Glimmerwood Stream.

“Where are we going?” asked Rory. “This place looks familiar.”

“It should,” said a deep voice.

Rory stopped. He looked very confused, but Lyrion struggled not to laugh.

“Go on, Lyrion,” said the voice. “Let it out.”

Lyrion burst out in laughter. He couldn’t hold it in any longer. Rory looked at him angrily, trying to figure out what was so funny.

“Don’t be angry, Rory,” the voice said gently. “Just look up.”

When Rory looked up, he knew why Lyrion was laughing.

 “Oh, hello, Mr. Wisdom!”

“Hello, Rory.”

“I didn’t know you two had already met,” said Lyrion.

“Yeah,” said Rory. “We met the other day.”

“Cool!” said Lyrion. “That makes this visit even better.”

“What do you mean?” Rory had a puzzled look on his face.

“He means we have something to discuss.”

Rory gave Lyrion a quick side-eye. Before he could protest, the Tree of Wisdom continued.

“You’ve had a couple of interesting days. You fell into a hole, hurt your wing, and had a slight conflict at home. Does that about sum it up?”

Rory was very uneasy. He became agitated having to discuss something so sensitive.

“Yeah, I guess.” He folded his arms and looked away.

“Rory!”

The tree’s tone startled him. Rory turned around with an apologetic expression on his face.

“Just as you want someone to listen to you, you have to be willing to listen to them.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m not only speaking of myself. There is someone who has been trying to talk to you for quite a while, right in your own home.”

“Who?” asked Rory. His voice cracked.

“Someone who has always asked for your help, but you refused," the tree continued.

Rory instantly knew who the Tree of Wisdom was referring to. And to hear him say it that way was embarrassing.

“My grandpa,” he replied. “But he’s old and he doesn’t understand me.”

The Tree of Wisdom placed a limb on Rory’s shoulder. “You may be surprised to realize what you really need has been at home all along.”

Rory didn’t say anything as he and Lyrion left. The walk home was quiet. Rory thought about his conversation with the Tree of Wisdom. He said goodbye to Lyrion and walked down the path to his house. His grandpa was waiting for him with a small bag.

“I was wondering if you would come home in time.”

“In time for what?” Rory asked.

“I want to surprise your mother with a beautiful glowing mushroom lantern.”

His grandpa pulled the cover away to show him.

Rory’s eyes lit up. “Wow! She’ll love it. Is that what you wanted me to help you with?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, Grandpa. I didn’t know.”

“Don’t worry about it, son. You can help me now with the most important part.”

“What?”

Rory’s grandpa laughed. “Picking the silvery mushrooms, of course!” 

The rising moon glowed over the patches of shimmering mushrooms as Rory and his grandpa walked along a small creek searching for them. Their beautiful radiance in the moonlight made them easy to find.

“Rory, I know you’ve been having a tough time lately and I think you feel alone. Have you ever wondered why I keep asking you if you’ve made any friends?”

“No. But honestly, Grandpa, it’s very annoying.”

His grandpa stopped for a moment and looked at a cloud floating by in the sky.

“When I was your age, I was a lot like you.”

“What do you mean?” asked Rory.

“I was alone and to myself. I didn’t make friends easily either.”

Rory hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should ask. “Why?”

His grandpa sat down on a log. His cheerful face was now a little sad. “There was a girl that I was crazy about. I sat next to her in school. She knew I liked her. Shoot! Everyone knew I liked her,” laughed his grandpa. “But there was someone else who liked her too and he thought of a scheme to make her mad at me.”

Rory was captivated. “What did he do?” 

“The girl always wore a moonstone around her neck that was given to her by her grandmother. It was very, very precious to her. One day she took it off and laid it on her desk because her hair was tangled in it. The teacher called her for a moment and when she returned it was gone.”

Rory’s grandpa took off his glasses to clean them and to also hide when he rubbed the tear from the corner of his eye.

“What happened then, Grandpa?”

“The other guy who liked her yelled that I took it. And since I sat next to her, she believed him. Not only did she believe him, all of my classmates, and the teacher did too. Everyone called me a thief and I was suspended. Because of the shame it caused, my family moved from our home.”

"Did they find out who actually took it?"

"Not exactly. But the next day during lunch, the other guy whispered something very strange to me. He said his grandmother loved the moonstone she found."

Rory’s grandpa looked him in the eyes. “So, son, I’m not trying to be mean when I ask how you’re doing and if you’ve made friends. I genuinely want to know.”

His grandpa wrapped his wings around Rory and gave him a big hug. For the first time in his life, Rory felt that someone truly understood him. He was surprised. By taking the time to listen to others, just as he wanted them to listen to him, Rory had discovered something amazing… He wasn't alone after all.

 

Thank you for joining Rory as he discovered the importance of friendship, understanding, and listening. His journey may have ended, but the magic of Glimmerwood continues.

A brand-new adventure awaits next week in Glimmerwood Forest!

— Written with care by W. L. Shaw, creator of Fanciful Tales