Pearls in the Stream
Barefoot, she feels the warmth and belonging as dew drops settle on the soft grass along the stream’s banks. The water’s gentle, uniform flow mesmerizes her. Above, yellowish-pink cotton-candy clouds form an enchanting backdrop. She walks beside the stream on the refreshing lawn, moved by the perfection and discipline of the world around her.
The sky shifts its colors in hushed silence. A morning breeze drifts by at its own pace. The water flows with profound calmness. Birds awaken, singing a song of gratitude for a new beginning. Everything around her moves with calm stillness at the atomic level. But what of the chaos inside her head?
Was the tranquility of this moment not enough to soothe her? She felt the peace around her yet found none within. Why? Why hadn’t escaping the hectic, chaotic world worked for her? Why did her thoughts still rush as if she were bound by the very life she had left behind?
Her past disturbed her; it held her back. She had fled from everything—yet nothing could ignite those dark memories again except herself.
Is it the past that carries us, or are we the ones who carry it? Of course, it’s us who bear the burdens of our past, preventing us from experiencing the magic of the present moment.
She walked on in a daze, feeling barely alive… Splash! The sound of a pomegranate falling from a nearby tree into the stream jolted her from her reverie. She knelt on the bank, leaning over the water to retrieve the large, ruby-red fruit. Holding it, she watched its life story unfold like a film before her eyes.
A delicate branch once nourished a bud, which blossomed into a vivid, orange-red flower. Sunlight, leaves, water in the xylem and phloem, and air all celebrated the newborn beauty, showering blessings that let her thrive. One day, she lost her petals and felt sorrow—but then the air, her closest friend, whispered, “This is a new stage of life. Embrace it.” She smiled and welcomed the change. Seasons passed; she grew, unaware of time’s swift hand transforming her form and essence.
One bright morning, she ventured out to meet her friends. Crossing the stream, she froze at her reflection: a giant, round, bony structure. “Who is this?” she cried. Soft rays of sunlight offered comfort. “It’s you, my friend,” they whispered. “You have grown. The delicacy you once knew is gone, but within you lie citrus-sweet pearls of nourishment. You now bear a crown of purpose. You haven’t lost your beauty—you’ve gained new grace. You are a precious treasure meant to serve others.”
Convinced by these enlightened words, she found peace. She embraced the new stage of life, enjoyed the day, and returned home. Night fell, darkness prevailed, and a thought of ending disturbed her sleep. She struggled until her beloved friend—the North Star—appeared. A master of hearts, he drew near, embraced her, and asked softly, “Why fear the end? You have endured many seasons, harsh weather, and even disease. How could you ever end? You are eternal, my gem. The pearls within you will nourish another’s life. Your rough skin, rich with stories and strength, will decompose and enrich the soil for the next generation. Doubt not your worth or your eternity.”
Tears of joy rolled down her bony cheeks. She felt life in every cell, understanding at last the beauty of each life stage.
A few days later, she ripened fully and prepared to leave her comforting home for her next journey—a journey toward eternity.
…And the vision ended. Lyla smiled, holding the dream’s image in her hand, her heart brimming with fresh joy. She placed it in her bamboo basket, bowed once more to the serene nature around her, and promised the stream, the trees, and the grass to return. Then she walked to her car, ready to embrace life’s present stage with strength and joy—free from past demons.
“Wake up, Lyla! Your alarm’s been ringing for thirty minutes. You’re late for work!” her grandmother called.
“I’m awake, Dadi—just coming!” Lyla replied, feeling a new sense of joy and strength in her veins.
Over breakfast, she didn’t mind mixing fruit jam instead of her usual mango. She spread it on crispy, milky bread, embracing change. She hugged her grandmother, kissed her hands, and left for work feeling the freshness of the morning air, ready to live this moment fully.
Can a single dream change your life overnight? No—it’s your power to carry its lesson forward. At least Lyla began her journey of change with hope and vision. To begin is the hardest magic; once you plunge into the ocean of change, the journey itself bestows the courage to endure its hardships.
