The Light of Unity

Once upon a time, in a world torn apart by hatred and injustice, lived a man named Enoch. He was a scholar and a healer, not just of bodies but of souls. Witnessing the endless cycle of violence and division, Enoch felt a deep ache in his heart, an urgent desire to heal the wounds of society. He dedicated years to studying human nature, history, and the roots of conflict. He observed that hatred often stemmed from fear, misunderstanding, and a lack of empathy for others. Injustice thrived when people refused to listen or empathise.

One day, Enoch had a revelation. He believed that if he could create a technique to foster genuine understanding and compassion, he could eradicate hatred and injustice at their core. He called his method “The Mirror of the Soul.”

The technique involved a profound but straightforward process:

Reflection: People are guided to see their own feelings and biases clearly, like looking into a mirror. They acknowledge their fears, prejudices, and pain without judgment.

Empathy Building: They then imagine stepping into the life of the person they despise or fear. This isn’t just sympathy but a deep empathetic immersion, understanding the struggles, hopes, and fears of the other.

Dialogue and Sharing: The process encourages open dialogue, where people share their stories and listen with genuine intent. Through storytelling, barriers melt away, replaced by shared humanity.

Visualising Unity: Finally, students visualise a future where they and others work together, embracing differences and building a community rooted in respect and kindness.

Enoch travelled across nations, teaching this technique in war-torn villages, segregated cities, and oppressed communities. Slowly, stories emerged of enemies who became friends, divisions turned into collaborations, and hatred gave way to understanding. One remarkable example was in a city divided by centuries of conflict. After implementing Enoch’s method, the community held a festival celebrating their diversity. Old grievances were replaced with new bonds of friendship, and a sense of justice and peace began to blossom.

Years later, Enoch’s technique became a global movement. Schools, governments, and organisations adopted it to heal divisions, promote justice, and cultivate compassion. His vision proved true: that the most powerful weapon against hatred and injustice is not force or punishment, but understanding and love. His simple yet profound technique became a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward a more compassionate world. And so, in the end, Enoch’s most incredible creation was not just a method but the realisation that every human heart holds the seed of kindness, waiting to be awakened. 

A Delicate Balance

Once upon a time, in a world not unlike our own, a delicate balance governed the harmony of nature. This planet, known as Elysia, was a vibrant tapestry of diverse ecosystems, each thriving in its own unique way. The mountains whispered secrets to the valleys, the rivers danced with the winds, and the forests stood tall, guardians of the earth’s wisdom. In Elysia, the inhabitants were not merely humans; they were a blend of creatures, each with a role in maintaining this balance. The Elowen, a race of tree-dwelling beings, ensured that the forests flourished. They spoke to the trees, nurturing their growth and protecting them from harm. The Aquarids, beings of water, safeguarded the rivers and oceans, ensuring the waters remained pure and abundant. Meanwhile, the Terrans, grounded and sturdy, cultivated the land, fostering crops that fed all.

One fateful day, a powerful storm swept across Elysia, disrupting the harmony that had existed for millennia. The Elowen’s trees were uprooted, the Aquarids’ waters turned murky, and the Terrans struggled to grow their crops amidst the chaos. The balance was shattered, and with it, the very essence of life began to fade. In the heart of the storm, a young Elowen named Lira felt a calling. She had always been attuned to the whispers of the trees, and in their rustling leaves, she heard the echoes of a prophecy: “To restore balance, one must unite the three realms.” Determined to fulfil this prophecy, Lira embarked on a journey to find allies from each realm.

Her first stop was the watery domain of the Aquarids. With the help of a wise Aquarid named Nereus, Lira learned the importance of the waters in nurturing life. Together, they devised a plan to cleanse the rivers, using ancient songs that resonated with the water spirits. The waters began to sparkle as they sang, and life returned to the rivers, vibrant and teeming. Next, Lira ventured to the Terrans’ vast fields. There, she met a young Terran named Kael, who was disheartened by the barren soil. Lira and Kael worked hand in hand, combining the songs of the Elowen with the strength of the Terrans to revitalize the land. They planted seeds of hope, and soon, lush greenery began to sprout, a testament to their collaboration.

With both realms thriving, Lira, Nereus, and Kael returned to the forest to confront the storm’s aftermath. They knew that to restore proper balance, they must reconnect with the heart of Elysia—the Great Tree, a colossal entity that stood at the centre of the forest and connected all life. Together, the trio performed a ritual, combining their powers: the Elowen’s wisdom, the Aquarids’ purity, and the Terrans’ strength. As they chanted, the Great Tree began to glow, its branches reaching towards the skies. The storm clouds parted slowly, revealing a brilliant sun that bathed Elysia in golden light.

The balance was restored. The trees stood tall again, the waters flowed crystal clear, and the land flourished with bountiful harvests. Lira, Nereus, and Kael realized that by working together, they had not only healed their world but had also forged an unbreakable bond among their realms. From that day forward, the inhabitants of Elysia celebrated the Day of Balance, a reminder of the harmony that could be achieved when different beings united for a common cause. They understood that the true essence of life lay not in isolation but in collaboration, respect, and understanding. And so, the tale of balance across the planet continued to be told, a legacy of unity that inspired generations to come and ensured that Elysia would thrive for eternity.

The Last Ice Age of Thalora – A Lesson for Planet Earth

In a distant galaxy, nestled within the spiral of the Celestial Veil, lay the planet Thalora. Once a vibrant world rich with lush forests, expansive oceans, and teeming wildlife, Thalora thrived under the gentle warmth of its sun, Solara. However, the delicate balance of nature began to shift when a series of catastrophic events changed the climate forever. It started with a slight warming of the planet, attributed to increased volcanic activity that released vast amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The inhabitants, known as the Thalorans, were initially thrilled by the warmer temperatures, enjoying bountiful harvests and longer growing seasons. They celebrated the vibrancy of their land, believing they had entered an era of prosperity.

But as years passed, the warming intensified, leading to dramatic changes. Glaciers that had long stood sentinel over the northern regions began to melt alarmingly, releasing freshwater into the oceans. This disrupted ocean currents, causing erratic weather patterns and extreme storms. The once-crystal-clear skies darkened with heavy clouds, and the rain became relentless. Then came the tipping point. A sudden and massive volcanic eruption on the continent of Zephyr triggered a chain reaction. Ash and sulfuric gases filled the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and causing temperatures to plummet. Within months, the world that had known warmth was thrown into chaos. The Thalorans watched in horror as their lush forests turned to barren wastelands and the oceans froze.

As the temperature dropped, the Thalorans sought refuge in the remaining warmer areas of the planet, but resources became scarce. Food shortages led to conflict among tribes, and the once-united people were divided. Legends of a “Great Thaw” began to circulate, tales of when the sun would return, and the ice would melt, restoring their world. A wise elder named Arin emerged among the chaos, urging unity among the tribes. He believed they could survive the ice age if they pooled their knowledge and resources. Arin proposed a daring venture: to journey to the Great Mountain, an ancient site said to hold the secrets of Thalora’s climate. The journey was treacherous, filled with blizzards and ice crevices that tested their resolve. But the Thalorans persevered, united by hope and the desire to save their world. Upon reaching the Great Mountain, they discovered ancient carvings that told the story of Thalora’s cycles—warmth and cold, life and death. They learned that the planet had undergone similar transformations in the past and that balance could be restored.

Inspired by this knowledge, the Thalorans devised a plan. They would create controlled fires to generate warmth and develop methods to cultivate crops in harsh conditions. They also focused on conserving water and nurturing the remaining patches of forest, encouraging regrowth. Slowly, their efforts began to pay off. As they worked together, the ice started receding, revealing fertile land again. The Thalorans celebrated the return of sunlight and warmth, but they had learned a crucial lesson: the importance of respecting nature’s balance.

With the Great Thaw finally upon them, the Thalorans vowed never to forget the lessons of the past. They established a council dedicated to guarding the planet’s health, ensuring that the mistakes that led to the ice age would not be repeated. Thus, Thalora emerged from its ice age, a testament to resilience and unity. The Thalorans thrived once again, but they did so with a newfound respect for their environment, understanding that the warmth they once took for granted could easily turn to frost. And so, the cycle of life continued a reminder of the delicate balance that holds the universe together. 

Lazarus Carpenter (2025)

Grumpy Goblins

Once upon a time, in the mystical land of Glimmerwood, there were two goblins named Grizzle and Snarl who lived in neighbouring caves deep within the dark forest. Grizzle was a short, stocky goblin with a quick temper and a love for shiny objects. Snarl, on the other hand, was tall and wiry, with a sharp wit and a knack for playing mischievous pranks on others. From the moment they first met as young goblins, Grizzle and Snarl despised each other. The source of their hatred was rooted in a rivalry that began over a precious gemstone they both discovered in the forest. Each claimed it as their own, leading to a heated argument that escalated into a physical fight. Since that day, they had been bitter enemies, constantly seeking ways to outdo and outshine each other. Grizzle would often steal Snarl’s prized possessions, while Snarl would play tricks on Grizzle that left him humiliated and frustrated. Their feud became the talk of Glimmerwood, with other creatures whispering about the ongoing battle between the two goblins.

As the years passed, their hatred only grew stronger, fueled by jealousy and a desire to prove themselves superior to the other. Despite the warnings of the wise old owl who lived in the treetops, Grizzle and Snarl continued their feud, blind to the consequences of their actions. A terrible storm swept through Glimmerwood one fateful night, causing chaos and destruction. As their caves crumbled around them, Grizzle and Snarl found themselves trapped together in a narrow tunnel, the only way to safety blocked by a fallen tree. In that moment of desperation, as the walls closed in and the air grew thin, they realized the futility of their hatred. Forced to work together to escape the collapsing tunnel, Grizzle and Snarl set aside their differences and combined their strengths to move the tree and reach the safety of the outside world. In that moment of shared danger, a bond formed between them, born out of mutual survival and a newfound respect for each other’s abilities. Emerging from the wreckage of their caves, Grizzle and Snarl looked at each other with a new understanding. The storm washed away their hatred, leaving a sense of camaraderie and a shared experience that changed them both forever.

From that day on, Grizzle and Snarl became unlikely friends; their former animosity transformed into a deep bond forged in the crucible of adversity. As they rebuilt their homes together and explored the wonders of Glimmerwood side by side, the other creatures marvelled at the transformation of the two goblins who had once been bitter enemies. And so, Grizzle and Snarl learned that sometimes, it takes a storm to wash away the hatred and reveal the true strength of friendship that lies beneath. 

Image by AI

Dibble the Chimp

Once upon a time, in the heart of the lush jungle of Chimptopia, there lived a mischievous little chimp named Dibble. Dibble was known far and wide for his insatiable love of bananas. His eyes would light up at the mere mention of the yellow munchy fruit, and his belly would rumble excitedly at the smell of ripe bananas. Every morning, Dibble would swing from tree to tree in search of the perfect banana. He would pluck the ripest ones he could find and gobble them up as quickly as possible with pure delight. But Dibble’s love for bananas often got him into trouble.

One day, as Dibble was swinging through the jungle, he spotted a particularly tempting bunch of bananas hanging from a tree just out of reach. Determined to satisfy his craving, Dibble decided to take a risk. He swung from vine to vine, reaching higher and higher until he finally reached the coveted bananas. Just as he was about to grab them, a mischievous wind blew through the jungle, causing the branch to sway precariously. With a loud snap, the branch broke, and Dibble tumbled to the ground, bananas and all. Luckily, Dibble was unharmed, but the same couldn’t be said for the bananas now squished beyond recognition. Another day, Dibble’s love for bananas led him to sneak into the village market, where he knew the juiciest bananas were kept. As he reached out to grab a bunch, a loud voice boomed,

“Stop right there, Dibble!” It was the village elder who had caught Dibble red-handed.

Embarrassed and guilty, Dibble bowed in submission and guilt as the elder scolded him for his thievery. Dibble realized that his love for bananas was causing trouble not just for himself but also for others. From that day on, Dibble vowed to be more mindful of his actions. He learned to politely ask for bananas and share with others instead of hoarding them all for himself. His friends and the villagers appreciated the change in Dibble, and soon, he became known not just for his love for bananas but also for his generosity and kindness.

And so, Dibble the Chimp learned that while bananas were delicious, it was necessary to enjoy them responsibly and consider the consequences of his actions. And he lived happily ever after, surrounded by friends and plenty of bananas to share.

Image by AI