Subhasmita Das, a student of class 5, shares this enchanting tale of Meera, a young girl who finds herself in the magical Garden of Dreams, where imagination blooms and hope takes root.
The Garden of Dreams
Meera loved to explore, but the confines of her small town had become all too familiar. Every street, every corner, seemed to echo with memories of past adventures, leaving her yearning for something more—something magical, something new. One night, as she drifted off to sleep, a soft breeze brushed against her face, carrying with it a whisper so gentle that it seemed to blend with the rhythm of her dreams. “Follow the fragrance,” it urged.
In her dream, the sweet scent wrapped around her like a comforting embrace, guiding her through a landscape that shimmered with possibilities. She followed it eagerly, her heart fluttering with excitement. Soon, she found herself standing before a hidden path that she had never noticed before. The path was narrow and winding, flanked by tall, whispering grasses that swayed in rhythm with an unseen breeze.
Curiosity piqued, and Meera stepped onto the path, the fragrance growing stronger with each step. It led her through a maze of trees, their leaves glowing with a soft, ethereal light, until she emerged into a breathtaking garden. The sight before her was nothing short of enchanting—sparkling fountains danced under a sky full of stars, shimmering flowers glowed in hues she’d never seen, and towering trees stretched towards the heavens, their branches adorned with twinkling lights.
A gentle voice filled the air, as soothing as the breeze that had guided her there. “Welcome to the Garden of Dreams,” it said, “where imagination blooms and hope takes root.”
Meera’s eyes widened in awe as she wandered through the garden. Every flower she passed seemed to pulse with a life of its own, each one reflecting a different dream. Some were vibrant and full of colour, while others were delicate and soft, like the whispers of a wish. The trees, tall and majestic, each stood as a symbol of hope—some strong and resilient, others young and tender.
As she explored further, Meera’s own dreams began to manifest around her. She found a flower that shimmered with the light of her desire to become a great artist, its petals glowing with the colours of a sunset. Nearby, a tree towered above her, its leaves rustling with the sound of her wish to help others, its roots deep and strong in the fertile soil of compassion.
But not all was perfect in the garden. Among the thriving flowers and mighty trees, Meera spotted a withered flower, its petals dull and lifeless, and a sapling that struggled to grow, its tiny leaves barely clinging to the branch. A pang of sadness washed over her as she knelt beside them. She realised that these represented the neglected dreams and forgotten hopes that she had pushed aside in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Determined not to let them fade away, Meera reached for a watering can that appeared beside her. She gently poured water over the withered flower, watching as its petals slowly regained their colour and vibrancy. She tended to the sapling, nourishing it with care and patience, until its leaves began to unfurl with new life.
As she worked, Meera felt a sense of peace and fulfillment she had never known before. The garden seemed to hum with approval, the air thick with the scent of blooming flowers and the sound of leaves rustling in contentment.
“The Garden of Dreams is a reflection of your heart,” the gentle voice whispered again. “To keep it beautiful, you must tend to your dreams and hopes and help others do the same.”
When Meera awoke the next morning, the memory of the garden lingered in her mind, as vivid as if she had truly been there. She knew that the garden was more than just a dream—it was a reminder of the importance of nurturing her own aspirations and encouraging those around her to do the same.
From that day forward, Meera dedicated herself to spreading joy and inspiration wherever she went. She painted with the passion of a true artist, her canvases bursting with life and colour. She reached out to those in need, offering a helping hand and a kind word, planting seeds of hope in the hearts of others.
And though the Garden of Dreams existed in a world beyond the waking one, its beauty blossomed in every corner of Meera’s life, making the world a brighter, more vibrant place for all who crossed her path.
