The Secret of the Painted World🔊

In the little town of Deerhorn, nestled at the edge of the forest, lived an elderly woman named Abigail. She lived alone in a quaint little house, which drew attention for its bizarrely beautiful murals on the outside walls that seemed to change every few days. The murals were so vivid and detailed that they almost felt alive. But its allure was not confined to its beauty; it was known that whoever touched it was transported to the world painted. This lore was passed down through generations and made the house and Abigail a mystery in the town.

One day, a curious young boy named Noah decided to unveil the secret. He was not like the other children. While they were busy playing, Noah had this undeniable pull toward Abigail’s house, and especially the murals. He felt like they were calling him, whispering secrets only he would understand.

Mustering up courage, Noah approached Abigail, asking her about the paintings. The old woman looked deep into his eyes, as if searching for something. Then she smiled, satisfied with whatever she found, and said, 'Every wall depicts a different world; stories stuck between layers of colors. Only one with a pure heart can unlock their secrets.' Noah, intrigued and determined, asked her if he could try.

The next day, Noah, with a pounding heart, reached out to touch the mural. Suddenly, the cold stone transformed into a cloudy surface, pulling him in. He felt a moment of panic before finding himself standing in a beautiful meadow, under a magnificent azure sky. He could even feel the warmth of the sun on his skin and the sweet scent of flowers. He was speechless; he was inside the painted world.

Each day, Noah would visit a new world. He met talking animals in one, danced with stars in another, and even battled with pirates once. Noah peppered Abigail with questions, and she would answer them patiently. They developed an exclusive, unspoken bond, the kind that spanned across all barriers of age and time.

One day, Abigail passed away in her sleep. The entire town mourned deeply, but Noah was the most affected. He felt a part of him was lost. He missed her wise words, comforting presence, and the stories she brought to life through her paintings. To keep Abigail’s memory alive, Noah decided to interact with the murals every day, just like before.

To his surprise, he found a new mural the next day. It was a replica of Abigail's house surrounded by every person from Deerhorn expressing love and respect for the lady. Noah touched it gently, and in a blink, he was right there in the crowd. He saw Abigail acknowledging the praises with her humble smile. Unexpectedly, she turned and looked straight at him, giving him a quiet nod. Noah was choked with emotions; he saw tears glittering in his old friend's eyes.

When he came back, the mural had changed. Now it showed Abigail waving goodbye, surrounded by all the worlds she had created. Noah understood it was Abigail's farewell. He touched the mural and quickly entered this world. There, he saw Abigail for the last time, right amidst her creation, ready to leave. 'Thank you, Noah,' she said, her voice echoing. 'You gave these worlds what they needed - a visitor, a friend. Your heart was always pure. Remember, these worlds exist because you believed. Keep believing, my boy.'

He blinked, and the scene started blurring. He was back at the wall. The mural was now simply a portrait of Abigail, smiling peacefully. Overwhelmed, Noah stepped back. He knew now what he had to do. He picked up the paint and brush, dropped by Abigail, and started painting. He may not have been as good as Abigail, but he knew the secret now – it was not about techniques; it was about believing and having a pure heart. Over time, Noah became the preserver of the mysterious painted worlds, which still stands, alive and vibrant, in Deerhorn.

The townsfolk would often see him talking to the walls late into the night and knew the stories were still being told. The legend of the painted world did not end with Abigail; it simply found a new narrator in Noah.