The Faraway Land of Kolbrindur🔊

Once upon a time, in the world known as Earth, at a completely forgotten corner of a city full of amazingly tall buildings, vibrant colors and rapid locomotion, there lived a teenage boy named Alfred. Alfred was unlike any other teenager; he had the fascinating ability to dream extraordinarily vivid dreams that felt as real as life itself. The other peculiar aspect about his dreams was that they all seemed to unfold in the same location - a fantastical land named Kolbrindur.

Kolbrindur was not one could imagine: it was a breathtaking paradox of nature, where there were mountains that touched the sky and valleys that sank deep into the Earth, where the sun burned bright like red satin and the moon glowed cool like blue ice. Massive rivers flowed above ground like enormous serpents, while clouds of myriad hues served as surreal curtains to enchanting vistas. More fascinating than the terrain were its inhabitants, creatures of all shapes, sizes, and natures. They had customs and languages distinctly their own, showing Alfred a lifestyle filled with magic that starkly contrasted the monotony of his life in the city.

Alfred was more alive in his dreams than in his reality. He would eagerly wait for nighttime when he could shut his eyes and transport himself to Kolbrindur. He admired it all - the bewitching beauty, the unique creatures, the ecstatic ebullience, and above all, the power of magic. With the inhabitants of Kolbrindur, he lived through countless adventures, tasted numerous peculiar fruits, mastered nearly lost arts, and made friends who seemed so real that it was sometimes hard for him to distinguish between reality and his dreams.

One day, a magic wand chose Alfred as its wielder, imbuing him with magical abilities. Over time, Alfred honed his skills enough to transport himself to Kolbrindur while awake. This transition was a thrill for him as it gave him longer periods of being in Kolbrindur, sometimes even forgetting he belonged to a different world.

However, his prolonged stay in Kolbrindur drew attention, leading to his capture by the nefarious Álfar elves, known for their harmful tricks. They were envious of Alfred, a human, harnessing the magic of their land and wanted to seize it. Confined in an enchanted cage that drained his strength, Alfred felt desperate, yearning to break free and return to his own world, which now seemed much safer than the dreamy land of Kolbrindur.

Back in his city, he realized his dreams--and journeys to Kolbrindur--had taken a toll on his life. He had neglected his family, his education, and his health. The magical experiences were a double-edged sword. They had given him joy far higher than anything he had experienced before, but also a longing that pulled him away from his reality.

With renewed determination, Alfred channeled his remaining magic to reach out to his friends in Kolbrindur, pleading for their help. By binding their powers together, they eventually broke Alfred out of his confining cage, pushing him back to his reality, while simultaneously severing his connection with Kolbrindur to keep him safe. The separation was painful for Alfred, but he understood the importance of returning to his world and learning to appreciate it as it is.

Years later, Alfred became a successful novelist known for his surreal fantasy novellas, set in an astonishing land, teeming with fascinating creatures and stunning locales. The readers thought of it as a figment of his hyperactive imagination, but for Alfred, they were his cherished memories from Kolbrindur.

Over time, Alfred learned to blend his vivid dream memories with his present reality, finding new joy and creativity in the process. He found peace in his dreams and reality alike, realizing that while Kolbrindur had given him escapism, his reality had given him grounding and growth. He realized the power to weave magic not only lied in a dreamland but also in the pen he held, converting his dreams into stories, allowing everyone to experience his magical journey. Alfred was a boy no more but a dream-weaver, an enchanting storyteller.

The story of Alfred teaches us the importance of balancing dreams with reality, the beauty of escapism but also the gravity of living in the 'now'. It's about embracing wonder without losing touch of our roots, celebrating the unimaginable without being lost in it, and most importantly cherishing our dreams but not at the cost of our real life.

And so, Alfred dreamt on, with his dreams gloriously lighting up the pages of his books, blending in a beautiful symphony with his reality, leaving behind a magical trail for all of us to follow, in our dreams and in our life