Inner Garden

How are you feeling right now?

Once upon a time in a small, bustling town, there was a young woman named Asha who loved to collect stories. Every day, she wandered through the market, her senses alive with the colors, sounds, and smells around her.

The market was her treasure trove, a place where stories were hidden behind every stall and whispered in every alley.One sunny afternoon, as she strolled through the market, she noticed an old man sitting under a large banyan tree.

He was surrounded by a crowd of children, his voice carrying tales of faraway lands and mythical creatures. Asha was drawn to his voice like a moth to a flame. She joined the crowd, listening intently to his stories. The old man spoke of a mystical bird that could grant wishes, a lost city buried beneath the sands, and a river that flowed with the dreams of those who had come before.

The stories captivated Asha, but one story in particular caught her attention. The old man spoke of a hidden garden, a place where time stood still and all who entered were granted peace and wisdom. The garden was said to be protected by a guardian, a being of light who could only be seen by those who had pure hearts.

Asha was intrigued. She had always felt a longing for something more, something just out of reach. The idea of finding this hidden garden filled her with a sense of purpose. She decided then and there that she would find this garden, no matter what it took.

The next morning, Asha set off on her journey. She traveled through dense forests, crossed raging rivers, and climbed steep mountains. Along the way, she met people who shared their own stories with her—stories of love, loss, courage, and hope.

Each story she heard filled her heart with warmth and guided her steps closer to the hidden garden.After many months of searching, Asha found herself standing before a tall, ancient gate covered in vines. She knew in her heart that she had finally found the entrance to the hidden garden.

As she reached out to push open the gate, it creaked softly, as if welcoming her.Inside, the garden was more beautiful than she had ever imagined. Flowers of every color bloomed in harmony, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of jasmine.

Asha felt a deep sense of peace wash over her, and for the first time in her life, she felt truly at home.As she wandered through the garden, she found a small pond at its center. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the sky above. She knelt by the pond and gazed into its depths.

Suddenly, a soft light began to glow from within the water, and the guardian of the garden appeared before her. The guardian was a being of pure light, with kind eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of the ages.”You have found the hidden garden, Asha,” the guardian said in a voice that was both gentle and powerful.

“But the true journey is not about finding this place; it is about the stories you have gathered along the way. Each story has shaped you, guided you, and brought you here.

Remember that the garden is not a place, but a state of being—a place of peace and wisdom that resides within you.”Asha realized that the hidden garden had always been within her, and that the journey itself was the true gift.

With a heart full of gratitude, she thanked the guardian and left the garden, carrying its peace and wisdom with her.From that day on, Asha continued to collect stories, but now she shared them with others, spreading the peace and wisdom she had found within herself.

And in every story she told, a piece of the hidden garden could be found, bringing light and hope to all who listened.And so, the story of Asha and the hidden garden became a tale passed down through generations, reminding everyone that the true treasures of life are not in distant lands, but within their own hearts.