Reflections in Time
In a quaint little town, nestled amidst rolling green hills and eerie forests, there existed, since time immemorial, a peculiar shop. The only thing that made people notice this shop was its owner's uncanny resemblance to a man who did not age. His wrinkles carried the wisdom of the ages, and the twinkle in his eyes held an alluring mystery. This story revolves around this man, called Hendrick.
Hendrick ran a clock store, 'Time's Trinkets.' The shop's walls were adorned with clock of every imaginable size and era, each having a mystery of its own. Nevertheless, the most enchanting item in the store was an antique Grandfather clock, an heirloom that transcended generations, and was always off by two minutes.
The townsfolk often wondered about the clock's peculiarity, while Hendrick would just smile mysteriously at their curiosity. One day, a young boy named Ben walked into the store. A new resident, Ben was always captivated by the shop's ancient aura and had the desperation to understand the two-minute discrepancy.
Mustering his courage, he asked Hendrick, 'Why is this clock off by two minutes?'. To which Hendrick replied, 'My boy, it's not wrong. It's simply set to Time's heart. Time's heart beats differently; two minutes behind everyone else, it takes a pause, a pause to breathe, to listen, to understand.'
Ben was intrigued by Hendrick's cryptic words and visited the shop more frequently. With each visit, Hendrick shared stories about the clock, filling Ben's heart with an odd sense of existentialism. Eventually, Ben asked the question, 'Can I learn to understand Time’s heart, too?'
Hendrick, pleased by the boy's curiosity, agreed. He asked Ben, 'Promise me, you'll come every day at 2 PM, two minutes behind time.' Ben readily agreed and unknowingly initiated a ritual. He would visit the shop every day, listen to Hendrick, and watch the magnificent two-minute lagging Grandfather clock, hoping to understand Time's heart.
Ben's eyes began noticing things. He recognized the minuscule moments he’d missed — The joy of savoring his food, the beauty of a singing thrush, and the warmth of simple conversations. It felt as if Time confided in him, whispered tales about moments unseen, unheard by others. Ben understood that those two minutes weren’t lagging; they were a buffer allowing him to observe, to enjoy, and to appreciate life's finer nuances overshadowed by the hurry.
Years drifted by. Ben grew up, moved out of the town for college, and was swallowed by the tide of life. Yet, he wore a wristwatch, always two minutes behind. Ben had learned to understand Time's heart, and he held onto it dearly.
A day came when he received news of Hendrick's demise. A gust of nostalgia hit Ben; he decided to revisit his old town. Stepping into the quiet town, the tick-tock from 'Time's Trinkets' echoed in his ears. The shop looked the same as he remembered, cozy and inviting.
As he stood in front of the Grandfather clock, however, it struck 2 PM, and in perfect harmony, his wristwatch ticked along. Only then, he realized, the clock wasn’t off anymore; it was showing the right time. The Grandfather clock had lost its keeper, and hence, it lost the most profound two minutes of its existence.
Ben now understood that truly understanding Time's heart wasn't just about observing the world around. It was about being able to appreciate moments while ensuring others could do the same. He slowly wound the pendulum back by two minutes.
From that day forth, Ben looked after 'Time’s Trinkets.' He became the keeper of time, sharing tales of the two-minute variance with the townsfolk. Thus, the legacy continues in the small town, and to this day 'Time's Trinkets' stands, as a monument to a tale that reminds all who visit to take time to breathe, to listen, to understand.