Chasing Light
Amidst the serene town of Bellevue, at the foot of Snowy Peaks, lived a shy and introverted 16-year-old boy named Manning. Struggling with the adolescent phase marked by isolation and self-consciousness, he discovered solace in an unusual hobby - cloud spotting.
Manning could recognize almost every variety of cloud formation. He enjoyed sketching these formations and daydreamed about flying amidst them someday.
His fascination for the skies led him to a local observatory managed by an elderly astronomer named Mr. Harvey. This was the only place in Bellevue that owned a telescope. Manning decided to visit the observatory one day, hoping to have an experience that would bring him closer to his dreams.
Mr. Harvey, an octogenarian with a profound knowledge of the cosmos, warmly welcomed him. Captivated by Manning's fascination for the skies, he decided to mentor the boy, opening the boy's perspective to the grandeur of the cosmos.
Days turned into weeks and weeks evolved into months. Manning started spending more time at the observatory. His fascination for the clouds began to transform into an interest in stargazing. Galaxies, nebulae, comets, and meteors became his companions on lonely nights. The isolation he once felt melted away as he immersed himself into the aesthetic science of Astronomy. The teenage boy who was once anxious about himself found comfort in the vast silence of the cosmos.
One calm evening, while Manning was at the observatory, Mr. Harvey opened a cabinet and retrieved an old, dusty notebook. He handed it over to Manning and said, 'This contains centuries-old secrets of astronomy, the observations and interpretations of many legends who discovered planet alignments and astronomical phenomena. Manning, you are about to embark on a journey through time.'
Manning felt a thrill run through him. He felt like he was chosen to uncover hidden truths. Each page lured him deeper into legends of the past; tales that spanned across centuries, from Galileo to Carl Sagan, each contributing to the story of the cosmos.
One remarkable tale was about an exiled king who, with the help of an old astronomer, discovered the alignment of four planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter which foresee a great disaster. The disaster struck as forecasted, leading to the downfall of their enemy kingdom leading to his triumphant return. The tale concluded that the alignment is a rare occurrence and it is believed to repeat every seven hundred years. After thorough research and calculation, Manning shockingly found out the alignment was due that year.
Manning told Mr. Harvey about his findings. Mr. Harvey was skeptical about an omen occurring in the modern world, yet he realized the need to inform the authorities about the potential disaster. From local councilmen to state authorities, everyone dismissed the warnings of an old astronomer and his young disciple.
In potential despair, the duo decided to warn the people of Bellevue. Some paid heed and moved away temporarily, but most regarded their warning as nothing more than a blabbering of two madmen.
The night of the alignment approached. The four planets shone bright like celestial jewels arranged in a perfect line. Manning and Mr. Harvey could only hold their breath and hope. At first, nothing seemed to happen. But suddenly, the calm mountains rumbled. It was an earthquake of a massive magnitude. The shaking lasted for some terrifying moments. The morning revealed the extent of the devastation.
Miraculously, Bellevue was barely touched, apart from minor damages. A neighboring town, unfortunately, bore the brunt of the earthquake. Lives were lost, buildings collapsed. A strange melancholy hovered over Bellevue. The ones who heeded Mr. Harvey and Manning’s warning thanked the duo profoundly. But sorrow mingled with their gratitude as they mourned the loss of the neighboring town.
The catastrophe changed Manning profoundly. His love for the clouds which turned into a fascination for stargazing, now transformed into a sense of responsibility to watch over. His adolescent curiosity turned into a deep desire for knowledge to protect. Manning now had a purpose.
After years, Manning became a renowned astronomer. His predictions and research shook the scientific world time and again. The shy, introverted boy from Bellevue had chased the light and in it, he found his path, his purpose, his universe.