Sniffle, sniffle, achoo! Little Leo was tucked into bed. He had a cold, and his nose felt like a leaky faucet. His head felt fuzzy, and he just wanted to sleep, but he couldn't quite drift off.

His mama bustled in. "Here you go, sweetie," she said, handing him a warm mug. "This is elderflower tea. It smells lovely, and it will help you feel better." Leo took a sip. It was warm and sweet.

Just then, a friendly old gentleman who was visiting their home peeked into the room. He had kind eyes and a gentle smile. "Feeling a bit under the weather, young man?" he asked.

Leo nodded, his eyes a little droopy. "Mama says this tea is from an elderflower bush."

The old gentleman’s eyes twinkled. "Ah, the elderflower! A wonderful plant. Did you know that sometimes, a special spirit called the Elder-Tree Mother lives in those bushes? Would you like to hear a story about her?"

Leo snuggled down under his covers. "Yes, please!"

The old gentleman sat in a chair nearby and began. "A long, long time ago, in a cozy little cottage, lived a sweet old couple. Let's call them Elsie and Arthur. They had wrinkly, kind faces and hair as white as fluffy clouds. They had been married for so many years, they couldn't even count them!"

"They loved each other very, very much. One sunny afternoon, they sat on a bench under a big, beautiful elderflower bush in their garden. Its branches were covered in creamy white flowers that smelled like honey and sunshine."

Elsie sighed happily. "Do you remember, Arthur," she said softly, "when we were little, just like Leo, we used to play under an elder tree just like this one? We made pretend tea with the flowers and built tiny forts with the fallen twigs."

Arthur chuckled, a warm, rumbly sound. "I remember! And we took a tiny twig from that very tree, planted it right here in our garden, and look how it’s grown! It’s watched over us all these years."

"As they sat there, remembering happy days, the branches of the elder bush rustled gently, even though there was no wind. And out from among the leaves and flowers stepped a lovely lady. She was dressed in a gown of green leaves, and her hair was adorned with fresh elderflowers. It was the Elder-Tree Mother!"

Leo’s eyes grew wide.

The old gentleman continued, "The Elder-Tree Mother smiled at Elsie and Arthur. 'Hello, dear ones,' she said, and her voice was like the whisper of leaves in a summer breeze. 'You have loved this tree, and it has loved you back. You have shared so many memories beneath its branches.'"

"She waved her hand, and suddenly, it was like a magical movie playing in the air around them. Elsie and Arthur saw themselves as children, laughing and splashing in puddles. They saw their wedding day, so full of joy and dancing. They saw their own children growing up, playing the same games they once played. All their happiest memories danced before their eyes, bright and clear."

"Elsie and Arthur smiled. Looking at these pictures from their life, they felt young again in their hearts. They held hands, feeling so peaceful and content. And as the sun began to set, painting the sky in beautiful colors, they closed their eyes, still smiling, and drifted off to a sweet, endless sleep, right there under their beloved elder tree. The Elder-Tree Mother watched over them, and the sweet scent of her flowers was like a soft, comforting blanket."

The old gentleman finished his story. Leo’s eyelids felt heavy now, but in a nice, sleepy way. "Wow," he whispered.

He must have drifted off to sleep himself, because when he woke up, the sun was streaming into his room. He stretched and wiggled his toes. He felt much better! His nose wasn't leaky anymore, and his head didn't feel fuzzy.

He looked around. The old gentleman was gone. But on his bedside table, next to his empty mug, was a tiny, fresh sprig of elderflowers.

Leo smiled. He wondered... was that kind old gentleman perhaps a friend of the Elder-Tree Mother? Or maybe... just maybe... he *was* the Elder-Tree Mother, in disguise, come to tell him a story and help him feel better with her magical tea?

He hopped out of bed, ready for a new day, and he always remembered the story of the elderflower bush, the kind old couple, and the gentle Elder-Tree Mother. And whenever he saw an elderflower bush, he would smile and think of the sweet memories it might be holding.

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