In the heart of a city where life beat rapidly under the busy cycle of routine, there lived a girl named Elara. Her days were an endless cycle of hectic work: from dawn to dusk, she was moving like a robot with the ticking of the clock, and the pressure of things left her breathless, which transformed into a quiet burden on her spirit. And she yearned for a moment of solace.
However, each night, when Elara shut her eyes to rest, she found herself taken to another place. In the tranquil depths of her slumber, she wandered through a garden brightened by soft golden beams. The ancient trees in that location had roots reaching deep into the ground, and the flowers blooming in the refreshing morning breeze seemed to speak a language that is only understood by the heart. A sense of sweetness spread through the atmosphere, and it had a healing effect on her exhausted soul. And so, she would wander there for hours, forgetting about the worries surrounding her in her real life. However, as swiftly as the dream would come, it would change. For instance, the colors would fade; the trees would shed their leaves; and the formerly bright skies would turn dim under the shadow of abandonment. The garden would become unsightly and lose its charm altogether.
Elara would rise every morning with a persistent feeling of absence as the fading memory of the garden pulled at her soul. She couldn’t rid herself of the sense that the garden in her dreams was attempting to convey a message—something significant, something pressing. But what was it?
After a few days, her hectic routine led to restlessness in her behaviour; her dark circles grew darker, and her eyes weighed down due to insomnia. So, one day, seated on her chair, she dozed off, and the vision of the garden appeared again in front of her—the serene green view, melodious sound of leaves, beautiful sight of flowers, and old trees. Instead of brushing off another temporary dream and inhaling nature, this time, she decided to embrace the moments.
Thus, Elara started preparing her bag to leave the hustle and bustle of the big city and delve into the soul of nature without any pressure. The moment she decided to discover the garden, a cold wind passed through her soul, making her realize that something was waiting for her.
The next morning, just as the sun rose, she left for the countryside, where the golden beams spread across the fields, and the air was filled with the scent of flowers and the sweet chirping of birds. Driving past the fields, her gaze fell upon something shining – it was a little glimmer far away in the fields, but she felt attracted towards it. And so she parked her car on a side and went to explore.
Following the light, she reached the place she had been dreaming of. But she was surprised, for the garden in front of her was in rough condition yet still captivating in its unique manner. She saw a canvas of rainbow colour-painted flowers and the warmth of the sun pouring on the majestic leaves, casting shadows on the landscape.
Yet, as Elara moved into the depths of the garden, she felt an ache in her heart. In spite of the wonders of vibrant blossoms, there was a clear sense of neglect. The trees stood high yet appeared tired as if they were waiting for somebody to rejuvenate them. The garden needed more, not attention but nurturing, affection, and someone to recall it.
As Elara traced her finger on the rugged surface of an ancient tree, an old man appeared from its shadows wearing a robe that looked like parchment. With the signs of ageing on his face, his eyes shone brightly, filled with a quiet wisdom.
“You’ve discovered it, young one”, the elderly man said. “This garden… this location, once spread happiness on everyone’s, but time, alas… now it merely a remnant of its former self.”
Elara felt a pang in her heart at his words: “But why… how? It’s incredibly lovely, so vibrant with life.”
The elderly man let out a heavy, mournful sigh. “Genuine beauty requires more than just appreciation, my child. It demands attention, tenderness, devotion, and time. Numerous individuals visited this garden in the past, looking for tranquillity and happiness; nevertheless, as the world accelerated, they ceased to come back. They overlooked it. And the garden, left unattended, gradually faded away.”
Elara whispered in a dull tone, “Can’t it be restored?” Is it possible for it to return to its former state?”
The elderly man looked at her with a mixture of sorrow and hope. “Indeed, but it demands time. It requires a person ready to come back, year after year, even when the garden turns to its former state.” He went on, “As beauty unfolds gradually like trust and affection, there are two things you need to ensure: patience and commitment.”
Elara’s chest filled with determination, for she had understood that the garden reflected more than a mere location. It highlighted the most important aspects of life: aspirations, relationships, and emotions. And by reviving the garden, she could start rejuvenating herself and her life, which had been overlooked in haste.
“I’ll return,” she vowed. “I’ll take care of it, and I’ll revive it.”
This put a smile on the elderly man’s face – a humble one yet filled with deep comprehension. “If you do so, it will flourish again. But remember, my child, good things always take patience and trust, especially when it seems nothing has changed.”
