Story Writing - Part 3

The Canoe on the Ceiling

As she followed the butterfly down the winding path, a gentle warmth bloomed in her heart. The birds overhead chirped melodiously, and suddenly, she understood their song—it was a message. They told her that her powers were growing, and soon, she would have the ability to make everything around her glow with life. Her gaze fell on a vibrant yellow flower, standing out against the greenery, its petals seeming to shine.

The flower spoke to her, saying, “Take me with you. From this moment, I will be your guide, bringing joy and light into your journey. Together, we will find your way home.

The wife carefully plucked the flower, feeling its warmth pulse through her fingers. As she continued down the path, the flower’s glow revealed faint footprints leading deeper into the forest. She followed them, each step filling her with newfound courage, until she came upon a clearing—and there, to her astonishment, stood her husband, grinning beneath a canoe suspended high in the tree canopy. Its unique markings and vibrant paint made it unmistakable, though it was certainly not the canoe she had paddled in.

She felt as though she was in a dream as she staggered towards him. They embraced and she held onto him tightly with tears in her eyes. 

“I don’t understand, what are you doing here?” He said that when she left on her travels he was forlorn and at a loss of what to do. It felt like the magic had left the lake house sanctuary with her. He began working on a new canoe that matched the spirit of his Jasmine, hence the elaborate details representing her beauty. He said he understood that she was not leaving him, but finding herself, and that each of us has our own path to follow. He brought down the canoe from the canopy, and into it they went, and sailed down the mountain into a creek that led to the lake. 

As they moved gently down the creek both felt full knowing  the magic was not lost. They took in the sights the smells and the sounds feeling open to the possibilities the lay before them. Feeling the whimsical nature of the lake pulling them towards their home, they were  waiting for what was around the corner. Lo and behold a rock emerged from the waters. Embedded in the rock was a horn trumpeting their love and arrival back to the lake.

As they continued around the bend, it wasn’t long before they spotted the path leading to their cozy home among the trees. As soon as they got out of the canoe, a sense of relief washed over them. Stepping onto the shore, they were greeted by their woodland friends, who had eagerly awaited their return. The animals looked at them with curious expressions, wondering where they had been for so long.

Unable to contain her excitement, Jasmine called out to their furry friends, urging them to follow her up the path she promised to regale them with tales of her adventures around the magical lake. She described in vivid detail how the water carried her from place to place, the unusual plants and how the birds sang her awake every morning, the incredible climb to the mountain's summit, and, most importantly, how she and her beloved became reunited along the way.

Once they had told all the stories and exhaustion had set in, they were eager to snuggle up in their own beds. After saying good night to each other, they couldn't help but wonder what amazing things awaited them now that they were back home.

As the first days of their reunion passed by, Jasmine began to appreciate the beauty of the lakeside home again. One day she wandered down to the water, passing by the beautiful stands of Milkweed plant, that was in full bloom. As she approached the shore, what did she see but the original wonderful canoe, that she had paddled during her journey. She had not seen the canoe since she left it on the rocky shore so far away. Eagerly, she pulled it out of the water and saw that it was still in good shape. She began to think of the lovely newer canoe that she and her husband had come home in, and she knew they didn’t need this one anymore. One of her magical Monarch butterfly friends fluttered by as she thought about what to do with this canoe. Suddenly, she got a great idea! 

Jasmine’s idea was so vivid in her mind.  She knew this original canoe had been a part of their young love, providing a mode to explore the beauty and magic of this great land.  When days turned dark and trials were many, the canoe provided a life-sustaining respite.  When it was thought that love was lost forever, it was the link to reconnection.  This canoe had carried them through both the calm and the troubled waters. . . it had carried them back home.

Jasmine and her husband treasured the canoe and what it represented.  So, he breathed life into her beautiful idea and installed the canoe on the ceiling of their cabin.  Forever on, all who enter could look up and understand that life is a journey. . .with a strong vessel and abundant love,  one can endure the storms of life and rest in peaceful waters.

Contributing authors & photographers: 

Barbara, Brenda, Cathy, Connie, Cristina, Evelien, Jan, Jeanne, Kathy, Lee Ann, Mary, Sarah, Shelle, Sherrie, Stephanie.

We are truly grateful to everyone who participated! Each remarkable photo, along with the captivating twists and turns of the story, kept us wanting more!