One day Ali was by the
village hearing the elders discussing regarding a garden that lies beyond the
hills where all dreams turn into reality. Since he was filled with hope, Ali
promised himself that he would search for this magical place.
Late in the evening of
the following day, Ali embarked from his home and he had a very tough time
ahead. In spite of the fact that he faced many challenges through trials and
adversity he kept on going did not quit. He traveled for days non-stop and at
last arrived at the little place of magic where the garden was.
On arriving to
the garden, Ali exclaimed: ‘wow!’ There were flowers, fruits and birds of all
types and colors all over the place. In the center of the garden stood a clear,
reflecting water, like a mirror – a lake. Ali sat by the lake and made a
heartfelt wish: >This is the format of the prayer grants: “May my dreams
come true.
A few minutes later a
bright light appeared on the water of the lake and Ali felt everything that had
so long been dreamed of. He came to the conclusion that he had only been held
back by himself, due to his inability to believe in himself.
The optimist returned to
his village and took up work with vigor and was determined in the chase of his
dreams. He single-handedly turned the wheel of his fortune around, and his
story inspired the villagers on the fact that everyone would achieve his or her
dreams once he or she is determined to work hard while having faith.
The message which
the story gives out is to never relapse into despair and that without effort,
one can make it no matter how hard it seems.
"The Last Lantern"
 |
| The Last Lantern |
Every year on the eve of the Winter
Solstice, the residents of the seaside town of Lumina would light lanterns and
cast them out into the ocean. The purpose of the custom was to guide wayward
souls home and serve as a sign of hope and rebirth for the upcoming year. The
custom had been carried out for years, but as the town developed, fewer and
fewer residents took part, causing the tradition to disappear.
One year, Maureen, an old resident of Lumina for her entire life, made the
decision to carry out the custom by burning one last lantern. After her friends
all passed away and her children moved away, Maureen was left with no relatives
in the community. She was nevertheless deeply moved by the lanterns'
significance.
Maureen was getting ready for the Winter Solstice on a
clear, frosty evening. It was an ancient, elaborate one that she had treasured
since she was young, with beautiful patterns and a golden shine. She thought of
her late husband, who had always participated in the lantern ritual, as she
filled it with oil and inserted a tiny candle. She smiled, a bittersweet smile,
at the remembrance.
With her lantern in hand, Maureen made her way to the sea,
finding the town's plaza empty. The tranquil ocean mirrored the full moon's
brightness. Maureen inhaled deeply when she arrived at the water's edge, then
carefully slipped the lamp into a little wooden boat that she had made. She
lighted the candle and observed as the warm circle of light cast by the
lantern's radiance became brighter.
Maureen sensed the lantern floating away and felt at ease. For an extended
period, she remained motionless, observing the little, bright light go into the
wide, shadowy ocean. The darkness surrounding the lantern appeared to be drawn
into a gentle, shimmering haze by it.
Maureen suddenly noticed anything strange. From the shadows
emerged a small gathering of folks she had not seen in years. Each of them had
a lantern; they were her neighbors and longtime acquaintances. The sight of
Maureen's bright lamp had lured them to the shore. The town's custom had been
resurrected, and people had come together to celebrate it.
The villagers ignited their lanterns and released them one by one, joining
Maureen's lone light in a dazzling parade across the sea. A sea of sparkling
lanterns floating together beneath the night sky was an amazing sight.
The town's soul appeared to revive as the lanterns drifted
farther out to sea. As the luminous lights faded into the distance, the
community gathered together to share memories and stories. Knowing she had
revived a small portion of Lumina's custom, Maureen experienced a wave of
warmth in her heart.
Each light carried a wish for hope, rebirth, and the link between the past and
present as it sailed into the night. For Maureen, it served as a reminder that,
despite the passage of time, the customs and memories we hold dear may still
lead us and provide light in the dark.
Therefore, the last lantern did more for Lumina than just
light up the sea; it also brought back a sense of tradition and community while
serving as a constant reminder of the strength of hope and the light that
shines through even the darkest circumstances.
"The Hidden Garden"
There was a little park called Harmony Grove in the middle of the steel and concrete that was Brooksville. For the people of the city, it was a treasured location a rare green haven amid a sea of sprawling buildings. However, a secret garden that not many people were aware of was tucked away behind the massive oak trees in the park.
One summer afternoon, Lily, a young girl full of adventure, found the secret garden's entrance. She had been playing along Harmony Grove's edge when she saw a thin, rusting gate obscured by a tangle of ivy. She was intrigued, so she pushed through the undergrowth and discovered herself in a quiet area of the park that was illuminated by golden light.
The garden held a captivating quality. The air was perfumed with the pleasant smell of jasmine, and wildflowers were blooming in a riot of color. A pathway made of cobblestones meandered around the garden, culminating in a petite, elaborate fountain at the heart, whose glistening water caught the sunlight. As Lily investigated this hidden sanctuary, her eyes grew wide with astonishment.
She found an antique wooden seat with beautiful carvings of flowers and butterflies among the overgrown vines and old trees. The garden had obviously been well-maintained at one point, but had lapsed into disuse. There were chips in the once-bright paint job on the gate, and a little break in the fountain.
Every day, Lily brought plants and seeds from her tiny balcony garden to the garden, assisting in its restoration to its previous splendor. She removed the debris that had gathered over the years, trimmed the overgrown plants, and weeded the walks. She dreamed that this location had once been cherished by someone who had a strong bond with its past.
Weeks became months, and the secret garden started to bloom again. The fountain's water shone once more, the flowers burst into vibrant blooms, and the gate, covered in ivy, stood boldly open to greet guests. News of the garden's rebirth circulated across the city.
While out for his usual stroll, an old man called Mr. Thompson—who had once been Harmony Grove's gardener—discovered the garden one day. The fact that it was so well repaired astounded him. His eyes filled with tears as he recognized the garden from his childhood, a site he had lovingly cared before retiring and moving away.
Mr. Thompson told Lily tales of the garden's past, when it was a beloved getaway for city people looking for relief from their busy life. His stories of its former grandeur and the numerous people who had found happiness there gave Lily's efforts a deeper meaning.
Mr. Thompson's assistance allowed the garden to be formally reopened to the public. Once more, it turned into a well-liked location in Harmony Grove where locals could get away from the bustle of the city and re-connect with nature. Lily and Mr. Thompson put in a lot of effort to keep it going, and their relationship grew closer every day.
An elderly gardener and a young girl had worked to restore the previously overgrown and neglected hidden garden. It came to represent rebirth and the strength of lovingly and devotedly tending to something.
In the end, the garden was more than just a tranquil retreat; it was a testament to the idea that even the smallest, most hidden corners of the world could be restored to their former glory with a little attention and care. The hidden garden continued to bloom, a serene reminder of the beauty that can flourish when someone takes the time to nurture it.
"The Mysterious Key"
There was a story in the charming village of Elderton about
a treasure that was thought to be concealed in the old manor on the outskirts
of town. Decades of dust and rot had sealed the manor's doors and windows,
leaving it deserted for a long time. No one had been successful in finding the
treasure despite several attempts.
When cleaning up her grandmother's attic one rainy afternoon, a young woman
called Eliza happened to come across a little, elaborate key. The key was
unusual—it had a small sapphire placed in its bow and was decorated with
detailed engravings of stars and moons. Eliza sensed an odd bond with the key,
something she had never seen before.
The key had never been mentioned by her grandmother, who had
always been something of a mystery herself. Eliza, feeling a little bit of
nostalgia and interest, made the decision to look into it. The key felt
significant; it was too ornate to be just a trinket.
Eliza grabbed the key and went to the old manor that evening. She had always
been forewarned by the villagers about the manor, claiming it was haunted or
cursed. Eliza, though, was unwavering. The manor towered against the stormy sky
as she got closer, its broken windows resembling sunken eyes.
The front entrance of the manor was hefty and fastened
tight, but Eliza saw a tiny, corroded keyhole next to the door, partially covered
by spreading plants. When she inserted the enigmatic key, her heart raced. She
was shocked when it turned easily and the lock clicked open.
The manor's interior was a maze of dimly lit chambers and groaning floors.
Eliza made her way through the dusty rooms with the help of a flashlight. The
smell of mildew and old wood filled the air.
She discovered a sizable, antique safe in the opulent library concealed behind
a bookcase. Her key fit the exact size and form of the keyhole in the safe. Her
hands shook as she inserted the key again. There was a pleasant click as the
safe opened.
Eliza found a stack of letters bound in ribbon and an
assortment of antique, leather-bound diaries within, but no gold or gems. She
discovered as she read them that they belonged to her great-grandfather, a
well-known inventor and explorer whose contributions had been lost to the
passage of time.
His travels, discoveries, and aspirations for the future were all detailed in
the letters. His creations' intricate maps and schematics, some of which had
never been seen before, were included in the journals. It was obvious that
these records were extremely valuable historically.
Eliza returned to the village with the results
and gave them to the town historian. After the finding sparked renewed interest
in the estate, it was eventually renovated and turned into a museum honoring
the legacy of her great-grandfather. Once a representation of deterioration,
the house is now a center for inspiration and education.
More than just a physical door had been unlocked by the enigmatic key; it had
also created a portal to the past, enabling Eliza to make her way back into her
family's past. In the end, the village as a whole benefited from the legacy
rather than any wealth or jewelry.
And thus, because of the mysterious key that had enabled Eliza to uncover a
fragment of history, the legend of the hidden wealth evolved into a tale of
rediscovery and legacy.
I hope you enjoyed the stories!
If you want to read more stories here are the Links:
The Secret Life of the Town’s Only Pothole:
The Librarian Who Mapped Silence: A Fantasy Short Story of Librarian Magic
A Funny Short Story About a Cat and a Smart Speaker
The Cartographer of Aethel
STORY: THE AETHELRED LIGHT
Multiple Amazing Short Stories
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