The Wishing Tree, in Bois Ricard

Once upon a time, there was a lonely old tree standing in the heart of Ricard Forest, not far from the village. This tree was different from the others: its twisted branches seemed to form hands reaching toward the sky, as if it wanted to grab the stars.
The villagers called it “the Wishing Tree.” It was said that anyone who touched its bark with a sincere intention could make a wish. Wishes could be simple or ambitious, but they had to come from the heart.
The village children loved to sneak there, especially on starry nights. They whispered their dreams to the tree, hoping their wishes would come true. Some wished for the recovery of a sick loved one; others hoped to find love or pass their exams.
One day, a young girl named Élodie went to the Wishing Tree. She had recently lost her mother and felt lonely. She touched the rough bark and said in a low voice, “I wish to see my mother one last time.”
The next morning, Élodie discovered a white feather resting on her pillow. She knew it was a sign. She went to the tree and found a letter there, written in her mother’s own hand before she died. The gentle, comforting words brought her peace.
The Wishing Tree continued to grant the villagers’ wishes. Some said it was thanks to magic; others believed it was simply the power of faith and hope.
Even today, the Wishing Tree watches over Heudreville-sur-Eure. If you happen to pass through Ricard Woods, don’t hesitate to confide your deepest dreams to it. Who knows? Perhaps it will listen, and your wish will come true.