The Gift of Seeing🔊

There was a small town, situated in the hills of Wales, named Eglantine. It was a picturesque hamlet with not more than 100 houses. Chatter of the innocent children, rustling of wind through pine trees and the murmur of the creek were the only sounds you could hear in this quaint town. In the middle of this tranquil town was Rosemary Newtown’s house, frequented by town folks for two things - Rosemary’s storytelling sessions and the warm cinnamon buns she served.

Rosemary was an elderly woman of 75, always seen with a kind smile on her face. She was respected all over the town for her wisdom, kind heart and storytelling skills. She looked like just an ordinary grandmother, but Rosemary was unique in her ways. Rosemary was blind.

Despite her blindness, Rosemary’s storytelling sessions were very vivid that you could feel like you are inside her story. With her words, she painted more colourful world than one could ever imagine. People often wondered, 'how can she narrate such lively stories despite not being able to see?'

One wintry evening, as Rosemary was warming herself by the fire, there was a knock on the door. It was Ethan, a 10-year-old curious boy, who always was amazed by Rosemary’s tales. He wanted to know how Rosemary managed to tell such lively and colourful stories despite being blind. Rosemary, knowing the innocence and thirst of a child's knowledge, decided it was time she would tell Ethan how it all worked.

With her warm smile, she started, 'You see, Ethan, I may have lost the ability to see things physically. But, I can see things in a way most of you can't.' Ethan looked at her in confusion and intrigue. Rosemary handed him a cinnamon bun and continued, 'When I was young, before I lost my sight, I travelled a lot. I absorbed all that I saw. I remember the colours, the people, the landscapes, everything.'

She leaned back on her rocking chair, basking in the memories, 'When I lost my sight, I started seeing things with my mind, my heart. I created a world in my imagination. I saw love in the voice of a mother calling her child, I saw anger in the thunder, I saw happiness in laughter, and I saw sadness in the silence.' She said with profound wisdom.

Ethan listened, engrossed in every word she spoke. 'I beg you to remember this, Ethan. The mind is an exquisite place, and if you allow it, it can show you the most beautiful things you could ever imagine', Rosemary concluded her story.

Years passed, Ethan grew up, moved away but he always remembered Rosemary’s words. After a successful career as a writer, he returned to Eglantine. Visiting the aged and frail Rosemary, he showed her his first book dedicated to her, 'Finding Light in Darkness'. It was his tribute to the woman who had shown him the power of imagination and believing.

Rosemary smiled widely at Ethan's success, reminded once more that sometimes, even in absence, the world can be full of colours for those who choose to see with their heart. As she held the book close to her heart, she knew she had transferred her love of stories, wisdom, and the ability to 'see' despite not seeing to another generation successfully.