The Whispering Bridge

A wooden bridge stretched across a foggy lake and echoed every step with a faint whisper. Locals called it “the talking bridge,” believing it revealed hidden truths. When a shy boy crossed it one morning, the whispers said, Be brave. Startled, he ran back. The next day, it whispered, Try again. Slowly, he crossed each morning. Years later, he returned with others who needed encouragement, letting the bridge whisper to them what they couldn’t say aloud. The bridge never lied. Sometimes, it simply voiced the courage people already carried.