Escape to Eden
Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Russo, a young orphan named Mathew lived. Orphaned at an early age, Mathew, now 12 years, grew up in an orphanage, located on the outskirts of the city. Life was hard for the orphans, with the mundane chores of the old, dilapidated building leaving Mathew longing for an escape.
As young as he was, Mathew was different from the rest. His eyes were always filled with curiosity, unquenched by the monotonous life around him. Books were his escape. From Gulliver's Travels to Peter Pan, he never missed a tale of adventure and fantasy.
One sunny afternoon, Mathew found an old, rustic book lying in the corner of the shack they had as the library. The unnamed book, filled with dust, was buried under piles of other forsaken books. It had the scent of old paper, and noticing the meticulously crafted leather cover, Mathew realized it was an antique.
The first page was inscribed with faded ink, saying 'To the one who dreams. Remember, dreams choose their dreamers.' With each page, he was transported to a world of captivating landscapes and enchanting creatures, a place called Eden. Tales of Eden, its beauty, its inhabitants reignited Mathew's spirit, he yearned to experience Eden.
As days passed, Mathew found himself excessively obsessed with the thought of Eden. Was it a distant land? Or was it just the jungle of the human mind? He didn't bother about the reality as the enchantment of Eden enveloped him. After every little chore, he went congregating with his imagination, transcending the boundaries of Russo, into the realms of Eden.
One day, desperate to experience Eden, Mathew took a step unprecedented. Guided by the depictions mentioned in the book, he embarked on a journey towards Eden. He bid goodbye to his dreary life and packed the book, his compass, and a tiny bag of bread crumbs.
Two weeks passed as Mathew journeyed through various villages, battled adverse weather, and crossed a seemingly never-ending desert. His physical weariness multiplied, but the mere thought of Eden kept him going.
One stormy night, after seeking shelter under a cliff, he found the entrance to a mystic cave hidden behind a waterfall. Remembering the book's description, he realized he’d finally arrived on the threshold of Eden. Excitement and fear seized him simultaneously. He ventured inside steadily, his heart pounding.
Inside the cave, he saw millions of luminous fungi brightening the darkest corners, stalactites and stalagmites creating sound as the water droplets collided with them. The darkness felt kind, the light, spiritual. He wandered for what seemed like hours until the end when the cave opened into an awe-inspiring sight. It was Eden.
There was a waterfall splashing softly into a serene lake. Bioluminescent plants radiated a soothing light. Mythical creatures roamed around freely, unbothered by Mathew's presence. The sight was ethereal, the beauty, unimaginable. His heart welled up seeing Eden materialize from his dreams into a reality.
Years later, Mathew returned to Russo. He was no more the same boy yearning for escape. He spoke of Eden's beauty, its tranquillity, and love. But more importantly, he told everyone how his determination and dreams led him there. Nobody knows whether Eden was for real or a delusion. But they knew, here was a boy who dared to dream.
To date, Mathew is seen in Russo, spinning tales of Eden. And at times, when asked about the book, he’d smile mysteriously and say, 'It was not just a book, it was a key, a key to Eden.'
Hence, Mathew’s tale lives on, inspiring every Russo to dream, seek, and live their Eden, whatever it may be.