The Lost Garden
Once upon a time, in a far-off kingdom, there was a beautiful but lonely princess named Adeline. She lived inside a monstrously big castle with towering walls and vast rooms. But her favorite place was an enchanted garden hidden within the heart of the castle grounds. It was a secret place cut off from the outside world and, within it, she found solace from her loneliness.
The garden was a magical place filled with unusual flora and fauna. There was a peculiar tree with silver bark that sprouted radiant emerald leaves and bore a unique fruit that glowed in the moonlight. Golden butterflies flitted from flower to flower and the music from unseen creatures filled the air with tranquil melodies. It was a paradise all its own and was Adeline's only source of joy.
One day, she woke to find her garden silent. The emerald leaves of the tree had waned, the golden butterflies had vanished, and the magical fruits were no more. She ran through the garden, her heart pounding with each step. A gloom cast over the once vibrant place and reciprocated the princess's desolation. The sudden change had left her both terrified and heartbroken.
Adeline, deep in despair, sought help from the castle's old sage, a wise woman known for her knowledge of ancient lore. The sage told her, "The garden draws its life from the joy of its gardener. To bring it back to life, you should find the true Happiness." The advice was cryptic, but Adeline was determined to restore her garden.
The princess began her journey in search of true happiness. She ventured through harsh deserts, crossed tumultuous seas, climbed the highest mountains, and traveled the darkest forests. Along her journey, she met various people, each different in their lives, cultures, and perspectives of happiness.
In one kingdom, she found people joyous in wealth, their happiness stemming from gold, jewels, and luxury. In another, she discovered the citizens found delight in knowledge and wisdom. Further off, in a distant hamlet, people were contented and happy from simple things, love, family, and togetherness. However, none of this resonated with her.
Years passed, and Adeline was on the verge of giving up. One day, she came across an orphaned bird whose nest had been destroyed by a storm. Reflecting on its misery, she felt a sudden urge to protect it. She built it a new nest, cared for it until it could fly again, and suddenly, she experienced a wave of fulfillment and joy she had never felt before.
She realized that her true happiness lay not in seeking joy for herself but in providing joy for others. Having found her happiness, she returned to her castle, and to her amazement, her secret garden had returned to its former glory. The filled with the sound of laughter and harmony. Once alone and desolate, it was now thriving because of the happiness of its gardener.
Adeline never felt loneliness again. In the heart of her castle, within the beautiful secret garden, she found not only true happiness but also her purpose. She became known as the joyous princess, whose happiness was contagious. And so, she lived the rest of her days in genuine bliss, spreading joy, and taking care of her magical garden, which stayed magnificent till the end of her days.