In a cozy valley nestled amongst towering trees lived a grumpy troll named Borin. Borin wasn't grumpy because he was mean; he was grumpy because he felt lonely. He lived deep within a cave, filled with glittering gems and shiny trinkets, but he never shared them with anyone.
Every evening, Borin would watch the other creatures of the valley preparing for bedtime. The fireflies would light up the forest floor, and the owls would hoot their soothing lullabies. Borin, however, would grumble and slam his cave door, feeling even more isolated.
One evening, a little hummingbird, fluttering nearby, noticed Borin's unhappiness. Tiny as she was, she had a big heart. She flew closer to the cave entrance and whispered, "Why are you so glum, Borin?"
Borin grumbled, "I'm lonely. Nobody wants to play with me. I have so many treasures, but no one to share them with."
The hummingbird tilted her head. "Perhaps if you shared some of your treasures, you'd find some friends," she suggested, her voice soft and sweet.
Borin scoffed. "Sharing? That's for the foolish! I keep my gems for myself!" But as he looked at the hummingbird, a flicker of curiosity stirred within him.
The hummingbird, with a sparkle in her eyes, flew towards a small pile of glittering gems. She carefully picked one, a beautiful emerald, and flew back to Borin.
She presented it to him, saying, "This is a gift from me. Try sharing it."
Borin, surprised, took the emerald. He found himself holding something that was truly precious, not just because of its beauty, but because of the thoughtfulness behind the gift. He felt a warmth spread through him that he hadn't felt in a long time.
Encouraged, Borin decided to share some of his treasures with the animals around him. He offered a sparkling ruby to a little squirrel, a golden coin to a shy deer, and a precious pearl to a plump owl. The animals were overjoyed.
As the sun set, Borin saw how happy the animals were. They surrounded him, their eyes filled with joy. Borin realized that sharing brought more happiness than keeping everything for himself.
He smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. He was no longer lonely. He had found a treasure more valuable than any gem – friendship. From that night on, Borin continued to share his treasures, and his cave became a happy place filled with laughter and the sounds of playful creatures.
The hummingbird, witnessing Borin's transformation, knew she had done more than give a gift. She had given a gift of kindness, and in return, received a gift of friendship.
Borin learned that true happiness lies not in hoarding, but in sharing and in the joy of connecting with others. He drifted off to sleep, a peaceful smile on his face, dreaming of new friendships and wonderful adventures to share with his newfound friends.