A Land Entitled Spring

It was a warm spring day, the first day of spring to be precise, I was walking home from work and I noticed something strange. In one of the snowbanks there was something glimmering in the warm sunlight. The snowbank was surrounded by trees with a light fog hovering over it, almost like it was guarding the hidden object, from anyone who might be looking for it. Slowly I started to walk towards the mysterious object, as I started getting closer I noticed it started to give off more of a glow. Finally, I reached the snowbank, I slowly started to reach down towards the melting snowbank, kneeling on the wet ground I dug the object out of the snow. Without looking at it I shoved it in my bag and started to hurry away from the snowbank, the fog getting darker and it seemed like the trees were moving together trying to trap me inside. I rushed out of the trees and got back on the sidewalk continuing my walk home.

Once I arrived at my house, I quickly unlocked the door and grabbed my bag, digging inside for the mysterious object. It was a picture frame, covered in diamonds that seemed to glow when the light hit them right, the photo was an old one, printed in only black and white. It was a little girl sitting on a chair, her hair was combed so perfectly that not a strand was out of place and there was not a speck of dirt anywhere near her clothing, dressed in a gown that was made from the finest materials, she was the image of perfection. 

I thought to myself who would leave an artifact like this sitting around in the snow, letting the memory of this little girl melt away in the winter's snow, not knowing if it would ever be seen again. I wanted to know more about this young child and who she was, I wanted to know why her photo was left and how it got into that snowbank. Hoping that the mysterious picture frame would be able to tell me more, I started to examine it, it was handmade which meant that it was old, however, I don't know how old it is. Pulling up my laptop I start to research the photo and frame, knowing that I have seen this girl before somewhere. After hours of researching and no leads I shut down my laptop and looked at the time. Realizing that it was quite late already I started to get ready for bed, setting the picture frame beside my bed I promised myself that tomorrow I would go back to the snowbank where I found it to see if there was anything else there that could help my figure out who this mysterious little girl was and why I’ve seen her before. 

When I woke up the next day I started to think more about where I might have seen the little girl. Getting up out of bed I turned on the coffee pot and started to get ready for the day. Once I finished my morning cup of coffee I took one last look at the photo and headed out the door into the crisp spring air. Walking back to the park where I found the picture frame, I noticed how the sky seemed almost brighter than the days before like a hidden secret was finally revealed to the world. Once I reached the entrance to the park, I glanced up at the sky and noticed how calm everything felt, all my fears and doubts were washed away. Sitting on one of the benches across from the ring of trees, watching how they seemed to move when people passed by. Children running throughout the park while their parents watch them play with a careful eye, no one noticing the mysterious fog that seemed to only hover in one spot, instead they sat enjoying the new spring air washing the winter cold away. 

“Jamie!” Someone shouted, looking up, I searched for whoever called my name when I saw Stephan smiling at me from down the sidewalk. Smiling back at him waving, while still watching the snowbank melt in the trees. 

“Hey, what are you doing here?” I questioned him, wanting to know if he knew anything about the park. 

Glancing up at me he replied, “I like to come to see the park and discover the hidden secrets that were buried here long ago.”

“Hidden secrets? What are you talking about?” I catechize him, searching for an explanation. Looking at Stephan I notice that he is slightly squirming in his seat almost like he was unsure if he should tell me or if he should just get up and leave without saying anything. 

“Well, I don't know if I should tell you this but I guess I will. In the springtime, when the snow begins to melt, strange things start to happen in this park, people find weird items, pieces from the past start appearing hoping that someone will figure out their secrets.” Stephan explained, playing with his fingers the entire time, I’ve known him since we were both little and I know it's only something that he does when he's nervous. 

“How do you know this?” I questioned staring him in his eyes. 

“It's a family secret I suppose, it has to do with the new season. When the snow melts it leaves behind secrets from the past.” He explained calmly. 

“Oh, I see,” I whispered, staring at the snowbank with wonder and fear. 

“Well I should go, I will see you around Jamie!” He exclaimed, walking away leaving me alone to all my thoughts. 

Walking up to the snowbank where I first found the old picture frame, I look at everything around me, it's suddenly still like everything else around me is frozen. Reaching down to touch the melting snow, the fog lifting away letting the sun melt the winter's snow. While I was looking around for anything else that could be connected to the young girl, some kids ran through the trees playing tag and laughing while jumping in the puddles, revealing the spring fun. When I suddenly noticed something glimmering in between the trees, walking between the two trees. Without a second to spare I was suddenly pulled through an unknown portal of some sort and thrown onto the ground! The bright sun was glowing down on me with birds flying around the sky.

Picking myself up from the ground I look around at all the happy families playing in the fresh spring air, the fresh green grass that was peaking out of the freshly melted snow, rabbits running through the trees with children following behind them trying to keep up. I kept walking until I found a castle, designed to look like a temple. It was elegant, made entirely of stone with tiny pieces of diamond, that looked the same as the ones on the picture frame that I found. Stairs are leading up the entrance, slowly I begin to walk up the stairs, never taking my eyes off of the golden doors at the top. Before I could turn away and leave my feet started to drag me to the right to the side of the castle, looking down from the balcony I can see three children running around playing while a mother and father watched, making sure no one was going to get hurt. The sun shining down on the children lighting up their joy as they feel the warmth that only spring can bring. That is when I immediately catch sight of a young girl, sitting away from the rest getting her photo taken. In a flash her photo is taken and the photographer starts to leave as the young girl gets out of his chair and starts to run around with the other children. The young child who just finished getting her photo taken instantaneously looks up towards me and smiles in the sunlight while a butterfly flutters around her, realizing that this young child is the same little girl in the photo I smile. As I start to walk away the photographer walks up to me and says, “She is the future of the Kingdom, she will lead us all.”

“Who is she?” I questioned the photographer but when I glanced up he was gone. Walking away from the castle I take in everything, the green grass that was glowing fresh and new, birds are flying around singing a song of joy, the trees dancing in the spring breeze, children and families laughing and playing creating a melody of their own, and finally, the most amazing thing was the sun, shining down the bright blue sky bringing a fresh start to everyone who needed it, bringing joy, peace, and happiness. Walking back to the park I take one last glimpse of this world, which seemed like a fairytale, too good to be true. I walk between the two trees that seem to glimmer and I am pulled back into my world. 

Looking around I observe the area, looking up at the sky I realize that I have been gone all day, as the sun was setting behind the hills. Starting to walk back home I think of everything that has happened today and how I was able to find the young girl. Suddenly something connected in my brain, I took a Greek Mythology class in university and I saw a photo of the same little girl. Rushing home, wondering where I had just gone and if what I saw was real. Finally, I arrived home, quickly running into my room. I snatched my Greek Mythology book and turned to the table of contents, looking for anything having to do with spring. Finally finding what I was looking for, the picture of the little girl was on the page of my textbook. Underneath the picture it was entitled Persephone the Goddess of Spring. Winter came when she was taken down to the underworld and when she came out it was springtime, she was bringing new life to the world. In the melting snowbank I found the symbol of springtime, and I got to see it in person. I went back in time to see Persephone when she was a child playing in the fresh spring air, and because of her we still have the springtime freshness and joy. I saw history and got to see the true joy that springtime made, closing my book, I looked out my window and smiled. The sun may not be in the sky but there is still the glowing warmth of springtime. The picture frame made from the castle will forever stay with me reminding me that springtime is the best time of the year, it is when the bad melts away and the goodness shines through bringing peace, love, joy, and happiness to everyone.