Journey In the Land of Forgotten Dreams🔊

In the quiet village of Arden, nestled at the foot of an enchanting mountain, lived a curious young woman named Marianne. She had an insatiable desire to explore the world and its myriad mysteries, most importantly, the unfrequented hill outside her village, known to households as the 'Peak of Peril.' It was rumoured to be the land of forgotten dreams. This was a tale that the village elder had spun tirelessly for generations, 'What you lose here in your dreams, the Peak will claim forever.' Fueled by determination and armed with a spirit of adventure, Marianne decided to scale the peak.

Her journey started at the break of dawn, with the golden rays illuminating her path. She carried a satchel with basic necessities and a talisman, which her grandmother had given her for protection. The village folk watched her silhouette against the morning sun as she ascended with a heart filled with hope and wonder.

The journey was far from easy. The path was arduous, the terrain treacherous. But what posed the greatest challenge was the unnerving silence, which was interrupted only by the distant whistling of the wind and her own resonating heartbeat. Marianne trod on, taking each step with caution, guided by an unyielding inner voice.

Days transformed into nights, and nights into days, and soon she lost track of time. On her fourth day, right when exhaustion was about to claim her, she saw an archaic inscription on a stone: 'To find what's lost, surrender what you seek.' It was an enigmatic guidance, a riddle that she tried to unravel.

With newfound resolve and understanding, Marianne continued her journey. She embraced the harsh weather and daunting uncertainties. She gave up her fear and doubt, replacing them with bravery and trust. As intended, she surrendered her longing to reach the apex.

One evening, exhausted, she made camp and surrendered to sleep under a canopy of sparkling stars. In her dreams, the Peak stripped her of all that was familiar, of her desire to explore, of her adventurous spirit, of her journey so far, even her own identity. She saw herself as Marianne, the cautious village girl, not the valiant explorer. She woke up with a jolt, her heart pounding but strangely, felt a lightness like never before. She was not afraid anymore she was ready to face whatever the Peak had in store.

Marianne rose with the sun, her eyes set on her destination. She approached the Peak with an open heart, empty of expectations, and surrendered her 'need' to find. Lo and behold, the fog lifted, revealing a secret valley hidden behind the Peak. What lay before her eyes was the Land of Forgotten Dreams, an epitome of surreal beauty and tranquility. It was an ethereal realm, where lost dreams took the form of breath-taking art, enchanting music, and tales written in the wind. She perceived dreams that had once belonged to her, and those of other dreamers too.

She spent days and nights there, talking to the winds, singing with birds, and painting her dreams. She was no longer the explorer; she was an integral part of this dreamland. She lived, laughed, and cried as her dreams unfolded before her. She realised that the Peak didn't take away dreams; it showed people the depth of their dreams, perhaps, even the depth of their souls.

Eventually, Marianne returned to Arden, its heart and soul forever changed. The Peak of Peril was no longer a peak of dread but a beacon of hope for the villagers. Marianne, the adventurer, had become Marianne, the Dreamweaver. To the eager listeners, she shared her experiences, joy, fear, and discovery. The land of forgotten dreams was not forgotten anymore.

It is said that to this day, seekers and dreamers from far lands travel to the Peak not to find their lost dreams, but to understand and embrace them. They say some dreams leave us, only to find us again when we’re ready to cherish them. And as they say in Arden, only when you truly surrender do you find what you seek.