Every child or young adult wants to have friends and be part of a tight-knit group.

With our guiding principles, we should play a role in educating our grandchildren on the principles of friendship. This will help them choose the right friends and groups and avoid the fickle, fake, and poor role models.

Teaching grandchildren through storytelling is my manner of imparting a message. I choose to tell my olive tree story by using the tree as a symbol and guide of what characteristics to look for in a group of friends. And now, dear reader, I’d like to share the olive tree story with you.

GIFTS OF FRIENDSHIP AFTER 50

Teaching Through Stories: The Olive Tree Story

When I moved to California years ago, I was aghast at the unattractiveness of the hundreds of olive trees lining the streets of Rancho Mirage. This story will begin a journey of discovery about the olive tree, setting the stage for a new perspective. They were ugly and scary looking, and their trunks appeared as though they were a million years old. This was sad to me because I have a deep and abiding love of nature and I hated thinking that anything in nature was ugly.

Reflecting on my past impressions, I realized I needed to reconsider my initial reaction. Being a curious woman (I hope you will be curious, too), I Googled the words “olive tree.” This began a sequence of events: researching, learning, and ultimately changing my perspective about the olive tree before passing final judgment — something you should do when you choose a group of friends. Why? Because the group will have a powerful influence on your attitude, reputation, and the direction you take in your life.

Reinvent Yourself After 50: Growing Into New Friendships

In For a Surprise

Dear reader, I was in for a wonderful surprise. It turns out there was much more to the olive tree than one could see at first glance.

The Olive Tree is mentioned more than 30 times in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, by those who wrote about its significance in historical texts. The concept of beauty, I realized, relates not only to outward appearance but also to the deeper meaning and value a thing holds. The story of the olive tree relates to broader ideas of resilience, peace, and spiritual symbolism. For example, the olive tree is a symbol of peace in ancient Greece, a sign of endurance in Mediterranean cultures, and a sacred tree in many religious traditions. It was the first tree that sprouted up 7,000 years ago in the warm regions of the Old World, the Middle East, and its life span is 2,000 years.

Because of my research and curiosity, my viewpoint was changing. I now saw the tree as ‘God-like,’ even going so far as calling them ‘God’s first tree.’ I was having a 100% change of heart, demonstrating the ability to shift my perspective and understanding after learning new information.

I continued reading and learned more…

The Giving Olive Tree: Personal Stories

The olive tree became a ‘best friend’ to all in the Middle East because she was caring and giving. She became revered for bearing her olives for nourishment and sharing the oils in her olives to light the sacred lamps, as well as to be used in cooking, ointments, and even skin products. The gifts of the olive tree are not just symbolic—they are essential in real life situations, providing practical benefits that have supported communities for generations.

She shaded her people, during warm weather, with her outlay of branched leaves. Her trunk was used for wood making and building homes. She provided income for families from the sale of her olives and wood. The ancient Greeks smeared the oil from the olive over their bodies for good health. The olive tree has a history of ‘sharing herself’ with the world. Children can learn from the olive tree’s example of generosity and resilience, just as learners of all ages gain insight from her story. Storytellers have shared the olive tree’s story across generations, keeping her legacy alive through the oral tradition. Oral storytelling remains vital in passing down the olive tree’s lessons, and telling stories about her helps learners understand her value and importance in human history. She incarnates ‘beauty in the eye of the beholder’ because of her inner being.

I Did My Homework

Since I had done my homework and learned the tree’s history, my opinion changed. To my amazement, I fell in love with the gnarled biblical olive tree. So much so that I planted one outside my doors leading from my little office (that I called a ‘room of my own’). By creating a new environment with this tree, I also created a new perspective in my daily life. It was a dwarf olive because of space.

When I lived in California, every day I would look at her, smile, and I was happy. Making stories from personal experiences like this can be meaningful, and writing or documenting this narrative helps me reflect on its impact. When I saw my olive tree each day I thought of God. Sharing this story can engage others and teach important lessons about gratitude and connection. My tree became majestically beautiful with her sturdy trunk. She earned her place in my heart. She was my favorite tree! This experience taught me how small acts and gifts can grow into something significant in our lives.

Digital Storytelling Approach

Stories have always been at the heart of human life, shaping the way we understand the world and connect with one another. Just as the olive tree’s story changed my perspective, storytelling in education has the power to transform student learning and make lessons truly memorable. In today’s classrooms, digital storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool for teachers and students alike, blending the art of personal storytelling with the possibilities of technology.

Digital storytelling invites students to become active participants in their own learning journey. By using digital tools to create and share personal stories, students are encouraged to draw from their own lives and everyday experiences, making sense of new concepts in a way that feels both engaging and meaningful. Whether they are illustrating a historical event, exploring a scientific idea, or reflecting on a real life situation, students learn to analyze, interpret, and communicate information—developing critical thinking skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

Educators have found that digital storytelling is an effective way to enhance student learning across a wide range of subjects, from language and literacy to history and culture. For example, a teacher might introduce a new topic by sharing an interactive story that brings historical figures to life, or ask students to create their own digital narratives to illustrate key ideas in a lesson on drama or science. This process not only deepens understanding, but also encourages students to relate new knowledge to their own experiences, making learning more personal and memorable.

The Higher Education Academy and research published in the International Journal of Education have both recognized the essential part storytelling plays in teaching and learning. By incorporating digital storytelling into their lessons, teachers can foster a sense of community in the classroom, as students share stories and learn from one another’s perspectives. This approach also supports professional development, giving educators the opportunity to reflect on their own practice and share their experiences with colleagues.

Older students, too, benefit from digital storytelling, as it allows them to reflect on their own lives and create narratives that illustrate complex concepts. In this way, digital storytelling becomes more than just a teaching tool—it is a way to inspire creativity, build relationships, and encourage students to become story smart, both in and out of the classroom.

As we continue to embrace new ways of teaching and learning, digital storytelling reminds us of the timeless value of sharing our stories. Just as the olive tree gives of herself to nourish and shelter others, we can use our own stories—and encourage our students to do the same—to create a richer, more connected learning environment. So whether you are a teacher, a parent, or simply someone who loves to learn, consider how digital storytelling might help you share your wisdom, your experiences, and your love of learning with others. In doing so, you’ll be planting seeds of knowledge that will grow for years to come.

The Message of This Story – Be an Olive Tree

This is the message for your grandchildren:

Before you decide on joining a group of friends, compare the people in the group to the Olive Tree. Are they sharing, considerate, helpful, kind, and productive? The ability to share and care for others is an important quality, just like the olive tree teaches us. When students act on these lessons by being kind and generous, they help build a stronger, more supportive community. The power of the word is essential in sharing these values and making them meaningful to others. Storytelling work plays a vital role in teaching these lessons, allowing us to reflect and connect through shared stories.

A tree does not have to be physically beautiful to be worthy. Beauty comes from within. If a person shares their life, their love, their generosity, time, and care, they will most likely be worth your time and energy. Of course, you must do the same. We all must be like the olive tree when it comes to our relationships.

Encourage Students to Do Something Good Today

All-in-all, I love that an olive tree shares her food, her oil, her wood, and her leaves to shade others. Sharing and giving can be fun and engaging, bringing joy to both the giver and receiver. She is not beautiful at first glance, but when you get to know her you realize she is a GIVING TREE. That is a value you look for in a friend and in yourself, and it relates to the ability we all have to make a difference in others’ lives.

Don’t forget, though I’m talking about teaching our grands how to choose friends, this story also applies to us adults choosing friends and friend groups. If you are having difficulty finding your olive trees, please consider joining one of my private Facebook Groups.

Finally, darling, do Something GOOD Today: Be an Olive Tree! Share your talents, your wisdom, and your love with others. Engage with your community and become one of the storytellers who spreads positive values. I encourage you to write and share your own stories—whether spoken or in the written word—because every story written or told has the ability to inspire and uplift. I am smiling!

Do you agree with my analogy with the olive tree? Have you found something like that in your life? Please share with me in the comments below! Your story, whether you wrote it or simply share it, relates to the experiences of others and helps build a caring community.

Honey Good is a mentor for women, empowering them to live vibrant and visible lives after 50. For more insight into her daily life, plus tips and tricks, follow her on Instagram @iamhoneygood. To inquire about working with Honey, please email her at collabs@honeygood.com.