To Nod and Beyond – YSM2023

The bell rang loud and clear throughout the halls and classrooms. Lilibet sprang out of her chair and rushed out of class. So anxious to get home, she jogged the whole mile.

Granny Smith had been waiting. She embraced Lilibet on her return and they went into the lounge. Granny had prepared Lilibet's favourite pink lemonade, just as Nod had made, and butter & sugar sandwiches... she was in seventh heaven.

Granny Abigail, as she was better known, sat in her usual rocking chair. Lilibet perched herself on the edge of the settee, close to her; her eyes agog and fixed on granny's sweet smile,

"Nanna, when did you meet Nod, what did you do?", she asked excitedly.

Granny, fixing her gaze on Lilibet, began to recount her story.

"My dear, when I was about your age, I travelled to the Land of Nod and had the same magical adventure as you."

Lilibet interrupted, "Yes, yes, I met Nod and all of the misfit animals I had ever dreamt about, and we ate the most wonderful treats."

Granny nodded, "I know, honey, I did exactly the same. At my special banquet there were all my favourite foods. Nod had made the sweetest tea, a mountain of strawberries & cream and the reddest and deepest cherry pie I had ever seen."

Granny paused a moment, looked up at the ceiling, trying to recall the animals she had met all those years ago.

"Yes, now I remember - I met Stumpy, a miniature giraffe, who was too short to reach the trees to feed herself. Then there was Lento, a clawless sloth, who kept slipping off branches… he arrived late to the party. I also met Mute, a rattleless rattle snake, sadly, he couldn't scare anyone anymore. And finally, Goldy, the fabled Golden Goose, who had lost her magic, and ended up having to paint her eggs; but became redundant when she ran out of gold paint."

Suddenly, a veil of sadness crept over granny's face. Lilibet touched her hand,

"Granny, why are you so sad?"

Granny tried to find an excuse, "Don't mind me, darling, I'm just a little weary. In fact, I think you, too, have had enough excitement for one day, young lady."

Granny rocked her armchair towards Lilibet, caressed her face and said, "Why don't we take a little afternoon nap." Lilibet did feel a bit snoozy, so both her and granny sat back, relaxed and closed their eyes.

A little later, Lilibet awoke, she was bathed in a kaleidoscope of rainbowy colours. She looked up and was astonished to see granny hovering over her. She was splendid in her bestest Sunday frock, but quite oddly, she was barefoot.

Lilibet exclaimed, "Nanna, what are you doing up there?"

Granny, luminous like never before, replied, "Here, sweetheart, take my hand, let's go on a little trip."

Lilibet was confused, "Ok, nanna, but you need to put on some shoes."

"Where we are going, I don't need them." Granny responded gleefully.

So, Lilibet took her grandmother's hand and in an instant they were flying. The sky was the most beautiful aquamarine blue, and Lilibet could see for miles around. The mottled green and brown land became a deep blue sea. In the water she saw a dolphin swimming, diving in and out of the water; it could only have been Bobby.... blind as a bat, but he was showing them the way. Following his wake, Lilibet squinted hard and saw an island. She immediately recognised it and an immense joy overwhelmed her.

Like elegant swallows, granny and Lilibet swooped low over the white sugary beach of Nod. Another minute and they were over the clearing amidst the expanse of palm trees. They landed gently in front of Nod, who had been expecting them, always the perfect King Penguin host with the most.

Lilibet took two steps and hugged Nod, who, with his flipper, gently stroked her back,

"I'm so happy to see you again, Lilibet... and you brought a friend, how excellent!"

Lilibet nodded, but declared, "Thank you, Nod, but actually, my nanna brought me… I think you know each other."

Nod raised his eyes to meet the loving gaze of granny,

"My dearest Abigail, it's been a long time, you have matured into a beautiful and sage woman."

Abigail nodded, lost for words, with a lump in her throat. After a moment, she whispered,

"I never forgot your kindness, dear Nod. You made me a better, kinder person. I hope I can stay a while before continuing on my journey."

Lilibet heard her grandmother and was about to shout with joy at the thought of staying a bit longer in the Land of Nod. But, she hesitated, looked around, noticing all the misfit animals, both hers and those of her granny, were reverentially standing in line. She realised this was not a party like before, but a more solemn occasion.

Lilibet trepidly asked her granny,

"Nanna, how long are we staying?"

Abigail hugged Lilibet, "Sweetie, nanna needs to go somewhere for a while. You can't come with me, but I'll see you again... right here, when the time is right."

Lilibet had never questioned her grandmother and she trusted her implicitly,

"Alright, nanna, if you say so, but I'm afraid."

Abigail and Lilibet found it difficult to let go of each other, but Nod intervened,

"Now, now, Lady Lilibet, your family will be worried sick if you don’t return, and now they need you more than ever. Your kind and generous heart has grown beyond your fledgling years, and you are destined to spread your love and cheer to every person and every animal you will ever encounter."

Nod looked over at Squeaky, the pelican with the broken beak, and discreetly nodded. Squeaky waddled over and greeted Lilibet,

"Alright then, young missy, just like we have done in your dreams, jump on my back and hold on tight."

Abigail gave Lilibet one last kiss and caressed her rosy cheek. Nod gave Squeaky a slight tap on her shoulder and after a long and fumbling run, she and Lilibet took to the air. Lilibet looked back to see nanna, Nod and all the animals waving goodbye... she couldn't hold back the tears, but she forced a smile and waved back until they were out of sight.

Below, in the sea, she saw Bobby, bobbling in the water, nodding his head, chirping and whistling his salutations. Lilibet, waved and blew him a kiss from afar.

Lilibet woke up, taking a few seconds to realise she was back home on the settee. She looked over at the rocking chair, her grandmother sat there listless, but with the most serene smile on her face. Lilibet, still teary-eyed, curled up on Abigail's lap,

"I promise with all my heart… I'll save you a slice of red cherry pie for when we meet again... I love you nanna."

The End – Or is it just the beginning?

Dedicated to nugget1 and all those who believe…

a reply to: Encia22

Love it Encia22! Awesome as always!

a reply to: JJproductions

Very kind, JJ, thank you.

I had to dig deep to find a harmonious closure to the story, notwithstanding the sad ending.

a reply to: Encia22

You sure did a great job!!!

a reply to: JJproductions

🙏🏻🙏🏻

a reply to: Encia22

I don't know what to say....I feel so honored for the dedication!

You did a beautiful job, and I find part two more poignant than sad; we need all spectrums of emotion for the fullest life experience.

Kahlil Gibran said it best when speaking on joy and sorrow:

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.

Thank you, Encia22!

a reply to: nugget1

infinite thanks, nugget1!

Yes, poignant is a much better descriptor, especially in the context of the marvellous philosophical quote by Gibran.

Thanks for your support and for inspiring the continuation of the tale... and now for the additional source of learning from an Artist I didn't know.

a reply to: Encia22

and now for the additional source of learning from an Artist I didn't know.

His best writing (IMO) is The Profit, free to read online.

a reply to: nugget1

Excellent, nugget1, it's always great to have a starting point when exploring new literature!

a reply to: Encia22

Such a beautifully woven tale that seamlessly blends the vivid imagination of childhood with the tender emotions of cherished memories and everlasting bonds. The Land of Nod seems like a place where reality meets dreams, and where goodbyes are just momentary pauses. Granny Abigail and Lilibet's relationship is a poignant reminder of how stories can keep our loved ones alive in our hearts forever. Can't wait for the beginning of another enthralling journey!

a reply to: KrewNoah

Welcome to ATS, KrewNoah!

I'm honoured that you visited my story and left me such an eloquent and thoughtful comment. In fact, it's such a well-written summary that it would make for an excellent logline if I ever try to publish the story, as a few other members have suggested me to do.

I'm sorry, but this is where the sun sets on this tale. In fact, it is the sequel to another story I posted earlier, The Land of Nod. At this point, it would become a prequel for you; please read it here if you like --> www.abovetopsecret.com...