Utopia to Reality

UTOPIA TO REALITY

Another day starts as the view of poor, hungry, and suffering families comes into my field of vision. Day by day, is this really always the sight I’ll see? Sorrow takes over my chest as yet another day of living in poverty starts. I feel awful, knowing that I can’t do much to solve this occurring problem. “Afryea dear, will you please help me fetch a few pails of water? We are running low of water now” my mother called out in her usual tired, gentle voice. Another light of pity shone through my heart, acknowledging how hard my mother works for the entire family. 2:30 AM, the stars are still in show, while darkness stays to embrace the entire sky. Even the sun is resting, sleeping. Yet my brave mother fights against any sign of weakness, with always her courage winning. I grabbed the empty wooden pails as I followed my mother’s trails towards the hill containing a water well. About approximately 30 minutes later, both my mother and I reached the hill. I settled down the pails while waiting for my turn to fill them. I leaned against the tall Baobab tree, admiring the stars that decorate the lonely sky. I wonder…what if life went according to how I wanted it to? What if poverty just vanished and smiles could replace the sullen looks on children’s faces? I start pondering about my idealized world, but before I knew it, my eyes felt heavier and heavier until I fell asleep. *clink* My eyes shot up widely as what sounded like glasses click together. I rubbed my eyes in confusion, seeing a sight unfamiliar to me. “What…where am I?” I whispered softly to myself, seeing many children gather at what seems like a colossal dinner table with fancy cloth. Since when did tables that humongous even exist? From the corner of my eyes, I see a familiar, small figure of a small child. I looked towards the small child then exclaimed loudly, “Ameenah! What are you doing here?” To my shock, my little sister was found among the crowd of people gathering at the dinner table. She approached me excitedly, and what was even more surprising is that she went through my body as if I was a ghost. I took a look back and found her talking to other small children. What is happening? I try to contemplate, until I came to a conclusion that I might be in a dream. “But if that is the case, how come I can control my actions and what I think?” I started to mutter out loud when suddenly I felt a light tap in my shoulder, that sent me in shivers. I looked back cautiously, then saw a strange man with antlers. I gaped with my eyes wide open in shock, not believing what I see. The man sighed dramatically then said, “Is my looks really that disorienting? Unpleasant? How rude of you…” he pouted like a little child who just got scolded which made me feel bad. “Ah, um, no sorry, that wasn’t my intention. I just…was shocked to see an actual living, breathing, human with antlers. I mean, it’s not all the time I come across with a human…hybrid? So, you can’t really blame me.” I said all that in one breath, still feeling shocked and a bit weirded out. He laughed out loud, close to tears, which led me to be confused. “Heh,

you’re quite a funny one aren’t ya? Just calm down~ I’m no monster or anything else terrifying.” The man with antlers said in a sing-song voice, which irked me a bit. The man cleared his throat and began speaking in a more serious tone. “So anyways, my name is Afra. I am a symbol of prosperity who appears commonly in dreams. And yes, I am very much real. I am here to guide you and give you HUGE boost in terms of motivation.” I, though, am still in a state of confusion. What does he mean by guiding me? “I see that you are still confused. I understand. Well, how about we journey in your utopia as I explain the details?” after he said that, he grabbed my hand and started walking forward. “Wha- Hey! Where are we even going? And what on earth is a utopia? How do I even know I can trust you?” “Quite the worrywart huh? Like I said, don’t worry. After all, I am the only one you can interact with in this dream of yours.” Afra chuckled. “Okay so how about you answer my first and second question too?” “First, just watch, wait, and see. Second, a utopia is your mind’s idealized place. A place wherein everything is perfect according to your standards! And of course, I will be the one and only lucky charm of yours who will help you turn your utopia into reality!” As we walk towards different directions, I can’t help but compare how better this world is than the world I actually live in. Families are eating happily, no one is working hard under the scorching hot sun, everyone is enjoying, but meanwhile in reality, it is almost the exact opposite. We kept walking and walking, admiring the beautiful scenery that makes me feel fuzzy on the inside, until Afra came to a halt. Wondering as to why, I looked in front of Afra, and saw my mother, no eyebags, just relaxing with no worries at all. She didn’t look a single bit tired. Her eyes crinkled as she wore a joyous, peaceful smile. Her face was as light as the graceful sun, dancing and blessing its rays among the fields of corn and flowers. Nothing made me happier than to see my hardworking mother be happy. I felt a soft cloth dab my eye, not noticing that I teared up. “Cheer up m ’lady. Now, I see that you love your mother so much hm? And you want her to be as happy as she is in this utopia, right?” I looked at him dumbfoundedly. “Of course I want my mother to be this happy! Is that even a question?” I exaggeratedly and obviously remarked. Afra’s eyes softened, then in his usual sing-song joyful voice, he said, “This, right now, might just simply be a fabricated illusion of the faraway reality. But it doesn’t mean it can never happen. You know, with enough determination and motivation like your mother, if you as well work as hard as she does, then the steps to success becomes closer and closer.

Never think that you are useless, or that you can’t do it. You never know until you try.” Despite sounding like he was joking, his words were coming straight from his heart, a true advice given to me. But I just didn’t understand something. My mother, she has been working hard for what, 10 years? 20 years? But how come we are still here, suffering in the present reality wherein poverty, cries, and sorrow is to be seen everywhere? As if Afra can read my mind, he continued what he was saying. “Afryea, sometimes, success is harder to achieve for some people. But then again, it isn’t impossible. You know, normally, the more you suffer, the higher heights of rewarding success you will receive. Suffer 100 times, and success will return in 200 folds. Just make sure to believe in yourself and others and work hard for a better future. And somewhere up there…whoever God you believe in, is there to support you and guide you.” For some reasons, every word he says sounds so reassuring. I believe in it, and after all, if I don’t believe that I can do it then… “Then you won’t be able to do it” Afra continues. “Hold on can you read my mind? This is invasion of privacy! That isn’t very nice of you to- “ “Oh no, don’t misunderstand. I am just quite good at reading people. Especially with that perplexed, confused, but determined face you have.” Afra once again grabs my hand then said enthusiastically, “So then! Let’s continue our little detour in this wonderful utopia!” We glide, step, and run along my utopia. No one is sick, no one is severely malnourished, and everyone is dancing to the music. Even the trees, the grass, and the flowers sway and dance with them! The atmosphere is enamored with the pleasant, vibrant music, while the joyful glees and harmonious dancing shields the world against despair. Afra looks at me then said, “See, a happy atmosphere enlightens the mood. So here is my advice for you. Always have a positive outlook in life. If you do so, then you will see the world in a better, brighter light.” Before he continued, he let go of my hand only to offer it again. Only this time asking, “Shall we dance, lady Afryea?” Without hesitation, I took his hand in mine, as we enjoy the cheery beat of the music. “When you choose to see the light under the lonely shed of darkness, that is when hope becomes your savior. Reach toward the luminous gleam despite the obvious darkness easy to embrace. It is when you bravely choose the opportunity to seek action and lean towards the light, that you know you are advancing towards a better life and future instead of not taking action and accepting the dark as it is. So, no matter how bad something may be, just remember, by switching to a lighter, brighter, and more positive perspective, everything may take a change for the better.” Those words…they really hit me. It is thanks to Afra, I now have learned many lessons I can use to achieve my utopia.

“Thank you, Afra. I really appreciate you. Your wisdom for these things will surely...help me fully grasp this utopia.” Afra then stopped dancing, then smiled softly. “I am very glad to help. Especially for someone like you. Please make sure to be happy and live a good life. Do your best to achieve your utopia. Nothing is impossible.” Suddenly, the place around me starts to slowly fade. “A-Afra? W-What is happening?” Afra smiled sadly, then in a low, gloomy, but hopeful voice he said, “I guess it is time…for you to go. Thank you. I’m glad to have found a new friend. We’ll meet again next time, so make sure that when we meet…” “I would definitely have achieved my utopia.” Afra’s smile grew larger. “Haha, please don’t feel pressured. Just make sure to take care of yourself, okay? And always remember to look at the bright side.” Everything starts to disappear piece by piece, and even my hand which was once part of me has seemed to go away. Before every single bit disappears into oblivion, the last thing I see is Afra’s motivating smile. “Thank you for everything! Take care of yourself too!” I shouted as loud as I can, and soon everything went black. “Afryea! Afryea, dear. Wake up” I slowly open my eyelids, then see that I am back to reality. “How long was I asleep for?” “Not long. Probably just a few minutes” That’s weird. I swear I spent many hours in my so-called utopia. “Let’s go then dear. I filled up the pails for you.” I looked at my tired mother, then at the sky. I mumbled to myself, “I will definitely…make my utopia happen. Thank you, Afra.”