The Time Keeper of Bumpton
Once upon a time in the small town, known as Bumpton, lived a boy named Josh. He lived with his father and led a very simple life. What set Josh apart was his unusually large obsession with clocks. Clocks of every shape and size fascinated him.
One day, a peculiar, older man moved into their neighborhood. He was famed for his huge collection of exotic clocks from around the world. Josh decided to visit him. The old man named Newman welcomed him in. Newman was a tall, lean man with sharp, observant eyes hidden behind thick spectacles. Newman led Josh to a room filled with clocks. It was a spectacle that Josh had only dreamed of. Intricate clocks adorned every inch of the room. Josh was awestruck and gazed about in wonder.
The old man, sensing Josh's passion for timekeeping, began to share stories about each timepiece - where he got it, who made it, and more. Josh was so engrossed that he lost track of time. He casement downstairs to find it was dark outside. Surprised and worried about his angry father, he rushed home, leaving his beloved clocks behind.
The next day after the school, Josh hopped back to Newman's home again. He wanted to learn and explore more about the old man's fascinating clock collection. Their clock sessions spent together almost became a routined practice. Newman seemed to be as enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge as Josh was about learning. Suddenly after some days, Newman fell ill pretty drastically. He was so sick, that he started calling Josh his 'timekeeper.'
One day, while Josh was taking care of Newman, he took out a unique clock from his pocket. A beautiful golden pocket watch, as radiant as the sun. He explained, 'Josh, this is the timeless clock. A wizard made it. It is said that anyone who opens it, travels to another era, but only once in their lifetime.' Josh was so intrigued and tempted but afraid at the same time.
Newman's health deteriorated even more, and he was sent to the hospital. His house was locked, so Josh couldn't get in. Eventually, Newman passed away, leaving Josh shattered and the town grieved.
Few weeks passed by, and then suddenly one day, Josh found the golden pocket watch at his doorstep. He knew it was the timeless clock. Overcome with grief and curiosity, Josh decided to open the pocket watch. As he touched the watch, it radiated golden light, consuming him.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself amongst big buildings and crowded places. He realized it was the future of Bumpton. He lived a few days there, seeing people, lifestyle, technology which was breathtakingly new. He also noticed the clocks there, digital and more precise but lacking the charm of the old clocks. He saw no clocks hanging outside any shop, houses, or public places. He felt a strange emptiness in those ticking digits.
He realized how important clocks were, not only as just time-indicating machines but also as a symbol of history, art, craft, style, and culture. He thought about how his town's future would be without them. He decided to restore the culture, aesthetic, and essence of clocks.
As he yearned to come back, he found another detail in the timeless pocket watch. Engraved in tiny words were the instructions to go back. He followed them, and soon, he was back to his own time.
He spent his upcoming years, educating, experimenting, and manufacturing clocks. Ultimately, he established a clock-maker's guild and a training center in Bumpton, encouraging the young and the adults to learn, appreciate, and carry forward the art of clock making.
The small town started flourishing again, with tourists visiting to see and buy the unique clocks manufactured by them. Josh thus changed his town's destiny, with the essence of the timeless pocket watch. He became the 'Time-keeper of Bumpton,' and the golden pocket watch was safely kept as the town's heritage, a legacy left by Newman.