Little Leo wasn't feeling his best. Sniffle, sniffle, cough, cough! He was tucked into his cozy bed, and the rain tapped gently on the window pane. His mother brought him a warm, sweet tea. "This is elderflower tea," she said. "It will help you feel better."

Just then, a kind old gentleman, who was visiting, peeked into the room. "Ah, elderflower tea!" he said with a twinkle in his eye. "That reminds me of a story. Would you like to hear it, Leo?"

Leo nodded, pulling his blanket up to his chin.

The old gentleman began. "In a sunny little garden, not too far from here, grew a big, bushy elder tree. And living in the little cottage beside it were a very sweet old man and an old woman. They had been married for so, so long – fifty wonderful years! They called it their golden wedding anniversary."

"They sat together by their warm fireplace, remembering all the happy times they had shared. They remembered when they were young, dancing at parties, and when their children were small, playing under that very elder tree."

"As they talked, a gentle rustling came from the elder tree outside. And then, believe it or not, a lovely lady stepped out from the tree! She seemed to be made of leaves and blossoms, and her voice was like the soft summer breeze. 'I am the Elder-Tree Mother,' she whispered. 'I have lived in this tree and watched over you both since you were children playing beneath my branches.'"

Leo’s eyes grew wide.

The old gentleman continued, "The Elder-Tree Mother smiled at the old couple. 'I have seen all your joys and your little worries. Because you have loved each other and this garden so well, I want to give you a special gift. I can take you back to any time in your lives, just for a little while. Which memory would you like to visit?'"

"The old man and woman looked at each other, their eyes shining. 'Oh!' said the old woman, 'Could we be young again, just for an evening? Could we remember our wedding day, and the day we first met?'"

"'Of course,' said the Elder-Tree Mother. And with a wave of her leafy hand, the little cottage living room changed! Suddenly, the old man was a handsome young sailor again, and his wife was a beautiful young lady with flowers in her hair. Music played, and they danced just like they did on their wedding day. They laughed and remembered their first shy kiss under the moonlight."

"It was so wonderful! They felt so light and happy. But like all beautiful dreams, it had to end. Slowly, the music faded, and they found themselves old again, sitting by their fireplace. But their hearts were full of warmth and happiness from the lovely memory."

"The Elder-Tree Mother smiled gently. 'Memories are precious treasures,' she said. 'And I will always be here in your garden, watching over you.' Then, she stepped back into the elder tree and was gone."

Leo blinked. The old gentleman was smiling at him. "And that," he said, "is the story of the Elder-Tree Mother."

Leo sipped his tea. It tasted even sweeter now. He felt much better, and his sniffles were almost gone. He looked at the empty teacup and then at the kind old gentleman. He wondered if the old gentleman was just a very good storyteller, or if perhaps, just perhaps, he knew the Elder-Tree Mother himself.

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