Chapter 10

The boy stood at the edge of the pool, watching the water ripple in the breeze. He had no idea how he had gotten here, or why he was alone. He felt a sense of longing, like something was missing. And then, he saw it. A reflection in the water, of a person he didn't recognize. The person in the reflection was tall, with dark hair and piercing eyes. The boy's heart began to race, and he reached out towards the reflection. But as his hand touched the water, the reflection disappeared.The boy felt a sense of disappointment, but then he heard a voice. "You can't see what you're looking for," it said. The boy turned, and saw a woman standing behind him. She was older than him, but still young, with long, white hair that flowed around her like a river. "Who are you?" the boy asked. "I am the Oracle," the woman said. "I have been watching you, and I know what you seek." The boy's heart was pounding in his chest. "I want to know who I am," he said. "And why I'm here.""You have come here because you are searching for answers," the Oracle said. "But the answers you seek are not found in this place. You must look within yourself, to find the answers you need." The boy's brow furrowed. "I don't understand," he said. The Oracle smiled. "It is not easy to understand, at first," she said. "But if you trust me, I will help you." The boy looked into the Oracle's eyes, and saw something there that he couldn't quite name. But he knew, in that moment, that he could trust her. "Sit with me," the Oracle said, and she gestured to the ground beside her. The boy sat down, and the Oracle began to speak. "Long ago, in the beginning of time, there was a great void," she said. "And from that void, a single spark was born. That spark became the world, and all that exists within it. Everything that exists is part of that original spark." The boy listened, enraptured by the Oracle's words. He felt like he was being transported to another place, a place beyond the garden. "You, and everyone else, are made of that same spark," the Oracle said. "But sometimes, over the course of a lifetime, that spark can become dim. It can become buried under pain, or fear, or sadness. And when that happens, it is difficult to remember who you truly are." The boy felt like the Oracle was looking into his soul. "Is that what happened to me?" he asked. The Oracle nodded. "You have forgotten your own spark," she said. "But it is not lost, only hidden. And you can find it again, if you want to."The boy thought about what the Oracle had said. He thought about the pain and sadness he had felt, the times when he had felt lost. "What do I have to do?" he asked. The Oracle smiled again. "You must follow your heart," she said. "Your heart knows the way back to your spark. It will lead you to the things that bring you joy, and help you to remember who you truly are." The boy thought about the things that brought him joy. "I like to read," he said. "And I like to learn new things.""Reading and learning are ways to nourish your spark," the Oracle said. "Continue to do those things, and your spark will grow brighter. You will begin to remember who you are." The boy nodded, his eyes alight with excitement. "But there is more," the Oracle said. "You must also connect with others, to share your spark with them. It is when we connect with others that we truly become ourselves." The boy considered this. "I have friends," he said. "But sometimes I feel like they don't really know me." "That is because you have not shown them your spark," the Oracle said. "You have not let them see the real you. But you can do that, if you are brave enough. When you do, you will find that they will love you for who you truly are." The boy thought about his friends, and wondered if he could really show them who he was. He knew it would be difficult, but he wanted to try. "How do I start?" he asked. "You must begin by opening yourself up to the possibility of connection," the Oracle said. "You must allow yourself to be vulnerable. It is only when you are vulnerable that you can truly connect with others. Vulnerability is not weakness - it is strength. It takes courage to show others who you really are." The boy felt a rush of emotion. "That's scary," he said. "But I want to try." "That is good," the Oracle said. "Remember, vulnerability is not a one-time thing. It is something you must practice every day. You will make mistakes, but that is part of the process. The important thing is to keep trying.""It may be helpful to start small," the Oracle said. "For example, you can share a small piece of yourself with a friend. Maybe you can tell them something you've never told anyone before. Or maybe you can ask them a question that you've always wanted to ask. It does not have to be a big, life-changing conversation. Just start with a small step." The boy thought about this. "I can try that," he said. "But what if they don't like what they see?" "That is always a risk," the oracle said "But the risk is worth it. And if they don't accept you for who you are, then they are not true friends. True friends will see your vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness. They will love you for it, and they will be there for you when you need them." The boy nodded. He knew the Oracle was right. But he was still afraid. "I'm worried that I'll lose my friends," he said. "What if they reject me?" "The only way to know for sure is to try," the Oracle said. "And even if you do lose a friend, you will find new ones who appreciate the real you. The ones who stayby your side are the ones who are worth keeping. And the ones who leave were never really your friends in the first place. In the end, you will be left with only those who truly love you for who you are. That is the reward of vulnerability." The boy felt a sense of hope, but he was still uncertain. "I want to try," he said. "But it's so scary. How do I get past the fear?" "The best way to overcome fear is to face it head-on," the Oracle said. "When you feel afraid, acknowledge the fear. Acknowledge it, and then dowhat you're afraid of anyway. As you do this more and more, the fear will begin to fade. It will never completely disappear, but it will be easier to face. You will become more and more courageous, and you will be able to show your true self to the world. And that is the most beautiful and rewarding thing you can do." The boy felt a rush of energy, and a glimmer of excitement. "Thank you," he said. "I will try." The Oracle smiled. "And remember, you don't have to do it alone. You have your friends, and you have me." The boy felt a surge of gratitude. "I'm so glad I met you," he said. "I think you're helping me to understand myself better, and I'm grateful for that." The Oracle's smile widened. "You are very welcome," they said. "I'm always here for you, and I'm always rooting for you. Just remember to take things one step at a time. Baby steps are still steps, and they add up over time. Soon enough, you'll be looking back and seeing how far you've come." The boy nodded. "Thank you," he said again. "Now, are you ready to begin your first step?" The boy took a deep breath. "I am," he said. "Great," the Oracle said. "Take a moment to center yourself. Focus on your breath, and bring your attention to the present moment. When you're ready, you can take your first step. I'll be right here with you." The boy closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. He focused on the air coming in and out of his lungs, and he tried to let go of all the thoughts swirling in his head. After a moment, he opened his eyes and looked at the Oracle. "I'm ready," he said. "Then let's begin," the Oracle said. "First, you must find a space where you feel safe. Somewhere quiet and peaceful, where you can be alone. It doesn't have to be big, just a place where you can sit comfortably. Is there a place like that in your home?" The boy thought for a moment. "There's a small alcove in my bedroom," he said. "It's got a nice view of the sunset. It's my favorite place to sit and relax." "Perfect," the Oracle said. "Once you're there, get comfortable.